1. Specialty Medications for Specific Symptoms
Each type of cough medication treats a different symptom. Sometimes, the main symptom may not even be a cough. That's the case with nasal decongestants. They clear your nasal passages, making it easier for you to breathe. Antihistamines also help your nose by relieving itchiness and decreasing mucus production. You'll find both of these in cough medication to prevent mucus in your nose from dripping into your throat and chest, thus making your cough worse. Another type of cough medication is cough suppressants, which stop the cough reflex in your throat and lungs. You may also choose an expectorant, which loosens chest congestion, making it easier for you to cough up the mucus.
2. Watch for Overlap
One of the most common mistakes made by someone with a cough is taking too much medication. With so many options on pharmacy shelves, it's easy to overdose without realizing it. Prevent this by carefully reading instructions for every medication that you take. For example, one medication might contain a cough suppressant and an expectorant. Later in the day, you might be tempted to take another medication with an antihistamine and a cough suppressant. Because both medications contain a cough suppressant, you must wait until the first medication wears off before you take the second medication.
3. Water Works
Your neighborhood pharmacy has at least one aisle dedicated to cough medication. However, you might find relief using what you already have in your home. Tap water is actually the best expectorant. It moistens your throat and makes it easier for you to cough up the mucus in your chest. That's why doctors recommend you drink plenty of fluids when you have a cough. Other natural alternatives include breathing in hot steam and using a nasal saline spray.
4. Don't Dose Young Children
Cough medications are no longer available for children under the age of two. The Food and Drug Administration pulled these medications off the shelf because young children received too much medication when parents would mix and match without reading the ingredient list. Sometimes, a parent or caregiver would simply give the child the wrong dose. A lack of research in young children also prompted the FDA to yank these medications. Parents can turn to natural alternatives to relieve a child's cough, but cough medication is no longer an option.
5. A Cough is Better Than a Complication
Talk to your doctor of pharmacist if you take a monoamine oxidase inhibitor, also known as a MAOI. This drug could react with dextromethorphan, frequently noted as DM on cough medications. Pregnant women should also talk to their doctor because of potential complications for the unborn child. If you have high blood pressure or heart disease, you should avoid combination cough/cold medications because decongestants can cause your blood pressure to spike.
