Guide to choosing cough medicine according to the type of cough

Coughing is the body's natural reaction to expel foreign objects, germs, or viruses from the respiratory tract. If you have a nagging cough, you can take cough medicine to relieve it. However, make sure to choose cough medicine according to the type of cough you are experiencing.

In general, there are 2 types of cough, namely dry cough and cough with phlegm. Coughing up phlegm is usually caused by bacteria or viruses that enter the respiratory tract and cause infection. This type of cough can be a symptom of certain illnesses, such as the flu, asthma, bronchitis, or pneumonia.

Meanwhile, dry cough is a cough that is not accompanied by phlegm or mucus and is usually characterized by itching in the throat. A dry cough can be a symptom of various diseases, such as allergies, asthma, throat irritation due to stomach acid, and infections.

Coughs usually subside on their own within a few days. To relieve the annoying cough symptoms, it is recommended that you drink lots of water, quit smoking, and avoid secondhand smoke.

You can also take cough medicine to relieve the complaint. However, for effective results, first identify the type of cough you are experiencing and choose a cough medicine that suits your cough type.

Cough Medicine for Dry Cough Accompanied by Colds and Congested Nose

To overcome a cough without phlegm accompanied by flu symptoms, such as a stuffy nose or runny nose, it is recommended that you take cough medicine with the following ingredients:

Dextromethorphan Hbr

Content dextromethorphan Hbrworks by stopping coughing stimuli in the brain, so that the coughing symptoms you feel can subside.

Doxylamine succinate

Doxylamine succinate is a type of antihistamine drug that serves to relieve coughs and colds and itching in the nose and throat caused by allergies.

Pseudoephedrine Hcl

Pseudoephedrine Hclis a decongestant class of drugs that can reduce swelling in the nose that causes cold symptoms. By taking this medicine, nasal congestion due to colds, flu, or allergic reactions can be relieved.

Cough Medicine for Dry Cough due to Allergies

In addition to taking cough medicine containing dextromethorphan Hbr, sufferers of dry cough who also experience symptoms of allergies are advised to take cough medicine that contains:

Diphenhydramine Hcl and chlorpheniramine maleate

Diphenhydramine Hcl and chlorpheniramine maleateis an antihistamine drug that works to treat allergy symptoms, such as itching in the nose and throat, sneezing, coughing, and nasal congestion.

Both of these contents have the same way of working with doxylamine succinate, which inhibits the release of histamine substances that can trigger allergy symptoms.

Cough medicine for cough with phlegm

If you have a cough with phlegm, choose a cough medicine that contains:

Bromhexine HCl and guaifenesin

Bromhexine HCl and guaifenesinIt works by making the phlegm thinner and easier to expel, so you can breathe easier.

In addition to some of the ingredients mentioned above, choose cough medicine that does not contain alcohol and sugar or artificial sweeteners because they are safer to consume.

Take cough medicine according to the dosage and instructions for use listed on the medicine package or as recommended by a doctor.

If you miss your cough medicine schedule for 1-2 hours, take the medicine as soon as you remember. However, if it is close to the time to take the next drug, ignore it and do not double the dose of the drug to make up for the missed dose.

If consumed appropriately according to the type of cough, cough medicine is generally quite effective for relieving cough complaints. However, there are some conditions where cough medicine alone is not enough.

If your cough lasts more than 2 weeks or is accompanied by shortness of breath, fever, wheezing, yellow or green phlegm, or coughing up blood, see your doctor immediately for further treatment.