What medicine should I use for a dry cough?
In cases of dry cough with no clear cause or when treatment is ineffective, cough suppressants may be necessary.
A dry cough (a cough without phlegm) can be caused by inhaling foreign objects (food) or irritating cigarette smoke, or it can be due to irritation of the throat and bronchi during a common cold, or it can be a symptom of an underlying condition: asthma, gastroesophageal reflux disease.
If a dry cough is a symptom of an underlying illness, the cause must be treated. Some people using ACE inhibitors to treat high blood pressure may also experience a dry cough; the cough will stop when the medication is stopped.
In cases of dry cough with no clear cause, or when treatment of the underlying cause is ineffective, cough suppressants may be necessary.
Commonly used medications:
- Dextromethorphan: This is a cough suppressant that acts on the cough center in the medulla oblongata. It is used to relieve coughs caused by mild irritation of the bronchi and throat, such as from the common cold or inhalation of irritants, and is particularly effective in treating chronic dry coughs. The drug has low toxicity, but high doses can cause central nervous system depression.
- Codeine (opioid cough suppressant): Effective in reducing mild dry coughs. However, codeine is not effective enough to reduce severe coughs. Additionally, codeine has analgesic effects in mild to moderate pain. Common side effects include constipation (due to reduced bowel motility, requiring the use of laxatives), sedation, and drug dependence.
- Combination medications (atussin, decolsin, rhumenol, etc.): In addition to cough suppressants like dextromethorphan, these medications also contain antihistamines and decongestants. Therefore, these medications should only be used when coughing is accompanied by nasal congestion.
- Cough lozenges: With this type of medication, it's necessary to check the sugar content before use (especially for diabetic patients).
Additionally, supportive treatment can be provided using herbal cough medicines such as cough syrups.
According to Health & Life - NT
