Health Watch by Vanessa Goins Brown

The North Jefferson News



The winter months are approaching, which means cough and cold season is just around the corner.

A cough is one of the most common symptoms of a cold and it is sometimes difficult to determine which cough medicine is best for you.

A non-productive cough is defined as a dry or hacking cough while a productive cough is defined as a wet or chesty cough. Usually the non-productive cough serves no useful physiological purpose while the productive cough is expelling secretions that are possibly infectious.

The type of cough that is present will help you determine the appropriate cough medicine.



Non-drug cough therapy

Non-medicated lozenges, such as hard candies, reduce throat irritation and may help reduce coughing. Cool-mist humidifiers and vaporizers increase the amount of vapor in the air possibly relieving irritated airways.

Water and other liquids, such as fruit juices, can reduce the thickness of the mucus and help with a productive cough. A home remedy commonly used for a soothing cough syrup consists of mixing 1 part lemon juice with 2 parts honey.



Drug therapy for cough

There are two types of cough medicines: antitussives and protussives. The first type, antitussives, is cough suppressant. It helps control or eliminate coughs. This type of medicine should be used for non-productive coughs.

Cough suppressants should only be used for productive coughs if it is absolutely necessary (i.e. the cough is keeping you awake at night). Suppressing a productive cough could lead to other infections or airway obstructions.

The second type, protussives, is cough expectorant. Protussives should be used for a productive cough because it loosens and thins the mucus making it easier to expel the mucus.

The oral antitussives most commonly used are codeine, dextromethorphan (e.g., Robitussin-DM) and diphenhydramine (e.g., Benadryl).

The available topical antitussives are camphor and menthol. These medicines are rubbed on the throat and the chest and it is thought that the vapors ease the coughing. Steam inhalants, patches, creams and ointments are available with menthol and/or camphor.

In the protussive group, Guaifenesin is the only approved expectorant available over-the-counter.



When you should not self-medicate

• Cough with thick yellow sputum or green phlegm

• Fever greater than 101.5 F

• Unintended weight loss

• Drenching nighttime sweats

• Coughing up blood

• History or symptoms of chronic underlying disease associated with cough such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic bronchitis, or congestive heart failure

• Foreign object aspiration

• Suspected drug-associated cough

• Cough longer than seven days

• Cough that worsens during self-treatment

• Development of new symptoms during self-treatment



Medicine precautions

It is very important to talk with your doctor or pharmacist about which cough medicine is best for you if you have certain health conditions such as asthma, heart disease, high blood pressure or an enlarged prostate.

Some cough medicines interact with other drugs such as sedatives and antidepressants so it is important to talk with your doctor or pharmacist before self-medicating with a cough medicine.

Pregnant women should also consult their doctor or pharmacist before taking a cough medicine.

Vanessa Goins Brown is a student at the McWhorter School of Pharmacy at Samford University and a Pharm. D candidate, working at The Pharmacy in Mt. Olive. The Pharmacy can be reached at 631-1201.