Which Cough Medicine is Best for Dry Cough?
Dry Cough is a special kind of cough. It is as if you have recovered from an upper respiratory infection, and all that remains is this nagging cough.
You have many different bottles of cough medicine in the kitchen. There are also a variety of over-the-counter cough syrups to choose from. Which cough medicine is best for your cough?
In this article, we will break it down for you so you understand the different cough medicines and how each of them works.
Can Strepsils Treat Dry Cough?
Strepsils is commonly sold over-the-counter as treatment of sore throat or cough.
Yes: It can be soothing to the throat.
Yes: It can be useful if there is a bacterial infection as Strepsil is made of two antiseptic compounds: 2,4-Dichlorobenzyl alcohol and Amylmetacresol.
No: If you are allergic or intolerant to isomalt (E953), maltitol syrup (E965), Pink Antho (E163), Saccharin sodium (E954), then Strepsils is not for you. This is why Strepsil is recommended to children 6 years and older, and is not recommended if you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or planning to have a baby.
Can Ricola Cough Drops Treat Dry Cough?
Ricola cough drops are an undeniably popular choice when it comes to soothing a sore throat or throat irritation from dry cough.
Yes: The secret lies in the menthol present in Ricola lozenges. Menthol possesses a mild anesthetic effect and can reduce the need to cough.
No: However, it is important to note that Ricola lozenges offer only temporary relief and do not address the underlying cause of the cough.
No: Ricola lozenges contain sugar! While sugar may provide a temporary feeling of relief and comfort, it doesn’t actually address the root cause of your cough. In fact, consuming sugary substances can sometimes worsen a cough or even prolong its duration. It’s important to be mindful of this when considering the use of Ricola cough drops.
Can Guaifenesin Treat Dry Cough?
Guaifenesin is in a class of medications called expectorants. It works by thinning the mucus in the air passages to make it easier to cough up the mucus and clear the airways.
No: Expectorants like Guaifenesin are used to thin the mucus. When you have a dry cough, it is not mucus that needs to thin, it is a dry cough that needs to be resolved!
No: Most times, if you have a dry cough and are using pharmaceutical expectorants (mucus thinning) with cough suppressants, you may feel like you are coughing less, but that feeling of something left in your throat is always there.
Can Woods Peppermint Cough Syrup Treat Dry Cough?
Woods Peppermint Cough Syrup is an over-the-counter (OTC) product for children. Guaifenesin is its main ingredient.
Maybe: Guaifenesin is an expectorant that can be effective in treating cough by thinning out mucus and making it easier to cough up. It may or may not be helpful in treating a dry cough.
Yes: The peppermint oil in Woods Peppermint Cough Syrup can help relax airways and provide temporary relief from dry cough.
Can Robitussin treat dry cough?
Robitussin, an over-the-counter (OTC) product, contains dextromethorphan as its main ingredient. This cough syrup also includes natural immune boosters like elderberry or honey.
Yes: Now, it is important to understand how dextromethorphan functions. Dextromethorphan is an antitussive, which means it can help suppress a cough. For this reason, it can be useful in treating a dry cough.
No: However, it is essential to note that dextromethorphan does not address the underlying cause of the cough, nor can it expedite recovery.
No: Adverse effects include dizziness, lightheadedness, drowsiness, nervousness, restlessness, nausea and vomiting. In patients who are taking antidepressants at the same time, it can rarely cause a condition called serotonin syndrome.
No: According to a paper on dextromethorphan toxicity, dextromethorphan has euphoric, hallucinogenic, and dissociative properties, which is also why it is a commonly abused street drug.
Maybe: Robitussin also contains Guaifenesin, which thins mucus in the airways, making it a useful in treating a wet cough. However, it is not clear how Guaifenesin is able to treat dry coughs.
Dextromethorphan: What to Know Before You Take It
Dextromethorphan (DXM) is the cough suppressant in Robitussin, Dhasedyl and many other syrups. It dampens the part of the brain that triggers the urge to cough. It is meant for a dry cough, and it does nothing to clear phlegm.
- Common side effects: drowsiness, dizziness and nausea. Don’t drive after a dose.
- Not for young children. Avoid it under 4 years old; some guidelines say under 6 or 12.
- Frequent or long-term use: vomiting, loss of appetite and unsteadiness. Rarely, a fast heartbeat, high blood pressure, tremors or psychotic reactions.
- Interactions: never with MAO inhibitors. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you take antidepressants or other regular medicines, have liver disease, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are giving it to an elderly parent.
- Misuse: in high doses it causes a trance-like, dissociative state, and tolerance builds fast. It is misused by teenagers and young adults.
DXM quiets the cough. It does not treat whatever is causing it. Source: Mayo Clinic.
Can Codeine Treat Dry Cough?
Codeine is a type of medicine that falls into the category of narcotic analgesics. Codeine is related to morphine. These medications are designed to help relieve pain by acting on the central nervous system (CNS).
Yes: If you are having coughing fits at night that affect your sleep, then codeine might help. This is because Codeine is often used off-label as a sleep aid for people with insomnia
No: While codeine may help you fall asleep, it can actually cause problems with your breathing and make sleep apnoea worse.
Yes: Codeine is used as a cough suppressant. It works by turning off the signals in your brain that trigger the cough reflex. This means that if you have a chronic dry cough, codeine might be able to reduce the coughing fits to some extent.
No: Even though Codeine may provide temporary relief, it does not solve the root of the cough. For this reason, the cough may persist and not go away completely.
Can Cough Suppressants Treat Dry Cough?
Yes: As elaborated above, cough suppressants like Dextromethorphan and Codeine can be useful in treating a non-productive dry cough. They do so by suppressing the cough.
Maybe Not: While in theory cough suppressants are prescribed for patients with persistent dry cough, their usage may sometimes prove inefficacious.
Can Promethazine Treat Dry Cough?
Promethazine has two functions:
- It is an antihistamine – good for allergies, sneezing and postnasal drip.
- It is anti-nausea medication – It is commonly prescribed for vertigo and is used off-label for nausea in pregnancy.
- It is a sedative – helpful for short-term insomnia.
Yes: Promethazine can be helpful in drying up the nasal passages and stopping the back drip that may be the cause of your dry cough.
No: If the dry cough is not due to an allergic response and postnasal drip irritating the back of the throat, promethazine is not going to get rid of the dry cough.
Can Benadryl Treat Dry Cough?
Benadryl, also known by its drug name Diphenhydramine, is a commonly used first-generation antihistamine. It is effective in relieving symptoms such as a runny or blocked nose caused by allergies. However, Benadryl offers more than just antihistamine properties. It is also known for its cough suppressant effects, achieved by reducing the sensitivity of the cough reflex in the brain.
Yes: Benadryl is used for its anti-tussive effects. This means that it can suppress a cough, which makes it a good candidate for treating dry coughs.
No: But have you ever noticed that using Benadryl or cough syrups containing diphenhydramine can leave your throat feeling dry? That is because Benadryl has a tendency to dry out mucus membranes, leaving our nose and throat feeling a bit raw and dried up?
No: It’s worth noting that Benadryl is not recommended for use in children, as it can potentially cause agitation and confusion. For the elderly, frequent and long-term use of Benadryl may potentially worsen symptoms of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. It’s important to exercise caution and consider alternative options when it comes to these specific age groups.
No: One can become dependent on diphenhydramine if they take it continuously for a period of time. Over time, the drug can even stop working completely.
No: Benadryl is a drowsy medication. Some common side effects include drowsiness, dizziness, and feeling unsteady on your feet. It may also cause difficulty in concentration. Kindly do not drive or operate machinery after consuming this.
Can Procodin Treat Dry Cough?
Procodin is a combination of two drugs: Promethazine and Codeine. It is an antihistaminic cough suppressant.
Promethazine is an antihistamine and anti-nausea medication. It is able to relieve symptoms due to allergy and also has sedative effect. Additionally, Promethazine is able to suppress the vomiting reflexes in the brain to create an anti-nausea effect. It is most effective for cough that may be accompanied by rhinitis, sinusitis and postnasal drip.
Codeine is a known opioid cough suppressant. It is able to depress the medullary cough center hence reducing sensitivity to cough reflexes. It is often used off-label to help people with sleep disorder. In addition, it has euphoric effect, and can help you feel good and/or numb your emotional pain, hence people suffering from depression are likely to abuse it.
In the context of cough, it is most helpful for a non-productive cough, and not as effective for productive wet coughs.
Can Dhasedyl Treat Dry Cough?
Dhasedyl contains Promethazine and Dextromethorphan as well as Ephedrine.
As elucidated above:
- Promethazine is an antihistamine that relieves allergic symptoms and also make you feel drowsy.
- Dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant that alters the cough reflexes hence suppressing the cough.
Dhasedyl also contains Ephedrine.
- Ephedrine is a drug that ‘wakes up’ the system – it stimulates the nervous system and mostly targets the heart (increased heart rate), the nose (decongestant) and the lungs (bronchodilator). Its primary use in Dhasedyl is as a decongestant.
Like Procodin, Dhasedyl is suitable for:
– coughs that are caused by the histamine response and post-nasal back drip
– non productive coughs that produce little to no phlegm.
Unlike, Procodin, Dhasedyl also possesses a decongestant function.
Procodin or Dhasedyl for Dry Cough?
Dhasedyl which is Promethazine + Dextromethorphan + Ephedra is good for:
- Patient has cough due to allergies.
- Patient has non-productive cough.
- Patient can benefit from some decongestion effect.
Procodin which is Promethazine + Codeine is good for:
- Patient has cough due to allergies.
- Patient has non-productive cough.
- Patient is in pain or trouble sleeping.
Overall, because of a relatively higher proportion of promethazine (compared to dhasedyl) as well as the sedative effects of codeine, Procodin will have more sedative effect than Dhasedyl.
What Else Helps a Dry Cough
Medicine is not the only option. These help alongside it, or on their own for a mild cough:
- Honey soothes the throat, and studies back it for coughs, including in children. Not for babies under one year.
- Warm fluids such as water, broth, herbal tea, or warm water with honey and lemon keep the throat moist.
- Steam from a hot shower or a bowl of hot water calms an irritated throat.
- A salt-water gargle before bed.
- A humidifier at night, and your head raised on an extra pillow.
- Avoid smoke, dust and strong fragrances, and cold or spicy food and drinks.
- Rest, so your body can finish clearing the infection.
If your cough is linked to asthma or COPD, a doctor may prescribe an inhaler. That needs a proper assessment.
If the cough has outlasted all of this, read how Chinese herbs treat a dry cough that won’t go away.
In Summary
Understanding which cough medicines help what type of cough is helpful because not all coughs are the same
While conventional medicine focuses on symptom relief, TCM does all of that while also addressing the underlying imbalances that perpetuate the cough. If you or your loved ones are experiencing persistent coughing, especially if is a dry cough, our TCM herbs should be able to help!
Until then, take care of your cough.
Who Would Be Treating You
Dr Joyce Chee has spent the last decade seeing every kind of cough that comes through the door, including the ones that have already outlasted a course of antibiotics.
She is very adept at using Chinese herbs to treat stubborn coughs and colds, especially chronic coughs that will not clear for months. If you come for a consultation the usual treatment is a good mix of herbs; only in more difficult cases do we suggest acupuncture as well.
PhD in Chinese Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine. Registered with the TCM Practitioners Board of Singapore, T1403143G.
Book in now to get treatment for Dry Cough.
What is the most effective medicine for cough?
The most effective medicine depends on the type of cough. For a dry cough, cough suppressants like dextromethorphan help reduce the cough reflex. For productive (wet) coughs, expectorants like guaifenesin help loosen mucus. If allergies or infections cause the cough, antihistamines or antibiotics may be needed. Always match treatment to the cough type.
What is the best medicine to break up a cough?
Expectorants such as guaifenesin are best for breaking up mucus in a wet cough. They thin the mucus, making it easier to cough up and clear the airways.
Which brand is best for cough?
Popular trusted brands include Robitussin (guaifenesin-based), Delsym (dextromethorphan-based), and traditional herbal brands like Nin Jiom Pei Pa Koa. The best brand depends on your specific cough type and preference for natural vs. pharmaceutical remedies.
What really works to stop coughing?
Stopping a cough effectively involves addressing the underlying cause, staying hydrated, using appropriate medication (suppressants for dry cough, expectorants for wet cough), and soothing the throat with remedies like honey or herbal syrups.
What is the fastest way to cure coughing?
There’s no instant cure, but relieving symptoms quickly involves staying hydrated, using cough suppressants or expectorants as needed, resting, and avoiding irritants like smoke. If caused by infection, proper medical treatment speeds recovery.
How do I stop uncontrollable coughing fits?
To stop severe coughing fits, try slow deep breaths, sip warm water, use honey or throat lozenges, and remove irritants. If fits persist, consult a doctor as they may indicate asthma, allergies, or infections.
Why am I coughing so hard that I'm gagging?
Intense coughing triggers your throat’s gag reflex, often due to irritation, postnasal drip, infections, or asthma. If severe or persistent, see a healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.
Why do coughs get worse at night?
Coughs worsen at night because lying down can cause mucus to pool or drip down the throat, irritating airways. Dry indoor air and reduced distractions also make coughs more noticeable.
Does honey help a cough?
Yes, honey soothes throat irritation and has mild antibacterial properties. It can reduce coughing frequency and severity, especially in children over 1 year old and adults.
Is dextromethorphan for a dry or wet cough?
Dry. It suppresses the cough reflex but does not thin or loosen mucus. For a wet cough you want the phlegm out, so an expectorant such as guaifenesin makes more sense.
Why won’t my dry cough go away?
Most often it is a post-infectious cough: the cold or flu has cleared, but the cough reflex has not switched off. Postnasal drip, acid reflux, asthma and smoking are the other usual causes. If it has lasted more than eight weeks, see a doctor. More in why a dry cough won’t go away.
What is the best TCM for dry cough clinic in Singapore?
Chinese Doc Clinic is a leading TCM clinic in Singapore specializing in dry cough and upper respiratory conditions. Dr. Joyce, a Ph.D. with over 10 years of experience, expertly manages stubborn and chronic coughs that last for months. She primarily uses carefully tailored Chinese herbal treatments, reserving acupuncture for more challenging cases. The clinic focuses on reducing inflammation and restoring immune balance to effectively treat allergies, autoimmune diseases, and respiratory issues without relying on steroids.
