A cough medicine (or linctus, when in syrup form) is a medicinal drug used in an attempt to treat coughing and related conditions. For dry coughs, treatment with cough suppressants (antitussives) may be attempted to suppress the body's urge to cough, while in productive coughs (coughs that produce phlegm), treatment is attempted with expectorants (typically guaifenesin, in most commercial medications) in an attempt to loosen mucus from the respiratory tract.
There however is no good evidence for or against the use of these medications in those with a cough. Even though they are used by 10% of American children weekly, they are not recommended in children 6 years of age or younger due to lack of evidence showing effect, and concerns of harm.
;Hydrocodone Hydrocodone is a quite effective antitussive. Often Combined with antihistamines or other cough medicines, Hydrocodone cough preparations are very popular, most notably in Western and Developed Countries due to ease of access to the semi-synthetic Opioid. Recently, Hydrocodone indicated for Cough has become available in Capsule form as well as Syrup form.
;Codeine Codeine was once viewed as the gold standard in cough suppressants. Some recent placebo-controlled trials have found however that it may be no better than placebo for some etiologies including acute cough in children. It is thus not recommended for children. ;Ephedrine Ephedrine is used in cough medicine, such as Mollipect, in some countries. ;Others Other commercially available cough treatments have not been shown to be effective in viral upper respiratory infections, including in adults: antihistamines, antihistamine-decongestant combinations, Benzonatate, and guaifenesin; and in children: antihistamines, decongestants or combinations of these.
Many alternative treatments are used to treat the common cold. However, a 2007 review states that, "Complementary and alternative therapies (i.e., Echinacea, vitamin C, and zinc) are not recommended for treating common cold symptoms... Vitamin C prophylaxis may modestly reduce the duration and severity of the common cold in the general population and may reduce the incidence of the illness in persons exposed to physical and environmental stresses."
A 2009 review found that the evidence supporting the effectiveness of zinc is mixed with respect to cough, and a 1999 Cochrane review found the evidence of benefit in the common cold inconclusive. However, a 2003 review concluded: "Clinical trial data support the value of zinc in reducing the duration and severity of symptoms of the common cold when administered within 24 hours of the onset of common cold symptoms." Nasally applied zinc gel may lead to long-term or permanent loss of smell. The FDA therefore discourages its use.
A review of sixteen trials of echinacea was done by the Cochrane Collaboration in 2006 and found mixed results. All three trials that looked at prevention were negative. Comparisons of echinacea as treatment found a significant effect in nine trials, a trend in one, and no difference in six trials. The authors state in their conclusion: "Echinacea preparations tested in clinical trials differ greatly. There is some evidence that preparations based on the aerial parts of Echinacea purpurea might be effective for the early treatment of colds in adults but results are not fully consistent. Beneficial effects of other Echinacea preparations, and for preventative purposes might exist but have not been shown in independently replicated, rigorous randomized trials." A review in 2007 found an overall benefit from echinacea for the common cold however further analysis found problems with the interpretations of this review.
While a number of plants and Chinese herbs have been purported to ease cold symptoms, including ginger, garlic, hyssop, mullein, and others, scientific studies have either not been done or have been found inconclusive.
ca:Antitussigen de:Antitussivum es:Antitusígeno fr:Antitussif nl:Hoestdrank ja:鎮咳去痰薬 no:Hostemedisin pl:Leki przeciwkaszlowe pt:Antitússico ru:Противокашлевые средства sl:Antitusik fi:Yskänlääke sv:Hostmedicin wuu:咳嗽药
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