Taking cough medicine - treating coughs

As part of simple self-care for your cough, take an over-the-counter (OTC) cough medicine. These medicines work to make your cough more productive or to quiet a disruptive cough. Types include:

* Expectorants cough medicine— The name expectorant comes from the verb "expectorate," meaning "to spit." These cough medicines contain guaifenesin, an ingredient that works to loosen mucus in your airways. As a result, expectorants can help clear your airways of irritants. Taking a cough medicine, drinking plenty of water and breathing moist air offers maximum loosening of mucus.

* Suppressants cough medicine— To temporarily reduce the frequency of your cough, take a cough suppressant. These medications, also called antitussives (from the Latin word for cough), act directly on the cough center in your brain. Some antitussives contain a narcotic such as codeine. Nonnarcotic antitussives, such as dextromethorphan and diphenhydramine, are available in nonprescription cough medicines. These ingredients help relieve coughing without the risk of side effects associated with narcotics. If your cough brings up mucus, it's best not to suppress it. But if your cough is frequent and produces small amounts of mucus, consider using a combination medicine containing both an expectorant and a suppressant.

* Expectorants plus suppressants cough medicine — Some cough medicines contain an expectorant plus a cough suppressant. The expectorant helps loosen mucus while the cough suppressant reduces the frequency of your cough. In combination, these ingredients can make your cough more productive while making you more comfortable.