What is the best cough suppressant and expectorant?
A common antitussive is dextromethorphan (some brand names: Triaminic Cold and Cough, Robitussin Cough, Vicks 44 Cough and Cold). The only expectorant available in OTC products is guaifenesin (2 brand names: Mucinex, Robitussin Chest Congestion).
Can you take an expectorant and a suppressant at the same time?
The most appropriate use of a cough suppressant is for a severe cough that is keeping someone up at night or interfering with activities. Otherwise, the removal of phlegm from the lungs should be encouraged. Combination cold medicines mix a suppressant or expectorant with other medicines to treat cold symptoms.
What cough medicine has guaifenesin and dextromethorphan?
Dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant. Guaifenesin is an expectorant. Dextromethorphan and guaifenesin is a combination medicine used to treat cough and chest congestion caused by the common cold or allergies.
Can a patient use guaifenesin and dextromethorphan at the same time?
Avoid using dextromethorphan and guaifenesin with other drugs that cause drowsiness or slow your breathing (such as opioid medicine, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or seizures).
What is the most effective expectorant?
Guaifenesin: Often known by its brand name Mucinex (Mucinex coupons | What is Mucinex?), guaifenesin is the only OTC expectorant available to help relieve symptoms from colds. It works to relieve chest congestion and is often combined with pseudoephedrine to relieve multiple symptoms.
Do I need an expectorant or a decongestant?
A person with a productive cough can take an expectorant, but a dry or tickly cough usually requires a cough suppressant. Many OTC products contain a decongestant, but these are only effective for treating nasal congestion.
Should you take an expectorant at night?
Expectorants are better for breaking up wet, productive coughs, but don’t take them near bedtime. If a wet cough is plaguing you, take a suppressant that includes a decongestant, which can provide relief without exacerbating your cough.
Can I take a cough suppressant with Mucinex?
Mucinex will not stop you from coughing but should allow you to more easily clear any sticky secretions in your airways. Do not take with a cough suppressant because the cough reflex is needed to allow you to cough up loosened phlegm or mucus.
Can you mix pseudoephedrine and guaifenesin?
Can Mucinex and Sudafed be taken together? You can take them both together if you have nasal congestion as well as a phlegmy cough.
Which Mucinex break up chest congestion?
Mucinex 12-Hour Chest Congestion Expectorant Tablets Relieves Chest Congestion, Thins and loosens mucus. Mucinex contains active ingredient 600 mg Guaifenesin.
What dissolves mucus in lungs?
Steam. Keeping the air moist can loosen mucus and reduce congestion and coughing. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute recommend using a cool-mist humidifier or steam vaporizer.
When to take an expectorant?
If you have a productive cough, meaning that some mucus comes up during the cough, or if you have congestion in your chest, then an expectorant will help. If you have a stuffy nose, then consider a decongestant .
Does cough syrup actually work?
In theory, antitussive drugs (like Dextromethorphan, often referred to as DM or DXM) block the body’s cough reflex. Other common cough syrup ingredients include expectorants that thin mucus and make it easier to cough ; decongestants that open airways by narrowing blood vessels; and antihistamines that reduce swelling in the nose and throat.
Should I take an expectorant?
Expectorants help thin mucus so you can cough it out of your lungs more easily. These medications are useful when you have thick congestion and are having a hard time expelling it on your own. When mucus sits in your lungs, it can contribute to bacterial infections, including pneumonia.
How does expectorant work?
The Basics. Expectorants work by thinning the mucus and coating the throat so it’s easier to eliminate mucus caused by a cold, breathing sickness like bronchitis or sinusitis or flu.