Binding: Health and Beauty
Brand: Alka-Seltzer
EAN: 0016500505921
Label: Alka-Seltzer
Manufacturer: Alka-Seltzer
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: Alka-Seltzer
Studio: Alka-Seltzer
Variation Description: Original

Customer Rating:
Summary: The Confusing World of Cough Medicines - A Dentist Tries nTo Clear up the Confusion
Comment: There are so many cough formulas on the market, that it is easy to get confused on what to buy. Here is a guide:

Cough medicines are categorized as EXPECTORANTS or SUPPRESSANTS, each may be sold separately or in combination medications. They're also found in cold formulas that include pain relievers (analgesics such as acetaminophen (Tylenol)), decongestants (pseudoephedrine), and antihistamines (diphenhydramine).

The best cough suppressant in my opinion is Codiene; however, it was taken off the market in the 1980's, as there was too much potential for codiene abuse. It is available only through a prescription. I advise always having some codiene cough syrup in the house for those really tough coughs that prevent you from sleeping, and that have not responded to any other cough meausres.

So many manufacturers now combine cough medicines in with many other medicines, such as Tylenol for pain, a nasal decongestant, and/or an anti-histamine. In my opinion, it is best to choose a cough medicine that has ONLY the ingredients that are appropriate for your symptoms. That way you're not wasting your money on unnecessary ingredients, you spare yourself unnecessary side effects, and you're getting only the medication that your body needs.

An EXPECTORANT works by thinning and loosening the phlegm in your lungs so that you can cough it up. GUAIFENESIN is the active ingredient. Take an expectorant with a full glass of water, as water is an excellent expectorant. Also, drink plenty of fluids if you are congested. Hot liquids, such as chicken soup, tea and honey--work especially well. Breathing humidified air also moistens and soothes irritated airways, and loosens mucous.

Cough SUPPRESSANTS work by calming the cough reflex in the brain. While it's not wise to stop a cough that produces colored phlegm (colored phlegm has bacteria in it), suppressants can relieve a dry, hacking cough that's not productive. They're also helpful when you're exhausted from coughing and need to sleep. DEXTRMETHORPHAN is the most common active ingredient in nonprescription suppressants. Common suppressants containing only dextromethorphan include Benylin Adult Formula Cough and Vicks 44. Dextromethorphan has come under attack lately as not being effective in suppressing coughs. There is research on both sides of the issue, some that support it and others that recommend avoiding dextromethorphan. I personally have not found it effective in suppressing my coughs. Once again, the best cough suppressant is Codeine. Codeine can be helpful as a nighttime cough remedy because it has a slight sedative effect on the central nervous system. One warning, you don't want to drink alcohol when taking codiene, as both are CNS depressants and will work together additively. Limit Codiene cough suppressant to night-time (sleep-time) use only.

Be sure and read the label to see what active ingredients are in the cough formula you are buying!

Throat lozenges, cough drops, hard candies, and even simple sugar syrups soothe coughs by coating the lining of the throat. Some lozenges, such as Halls also contain cough suppressant medications. Don't give lozenges to children under age 6 because they can be a choking hazard.

Finally, in 2004, researchers found that CHOCOLATE is a good cough suppressant. The ingredient in chocolate that suppresses coughs is theobromine. It takes about 7 ounces of chocolate to get adequate cough suppressant theobromine. If you use this method, and I am certainly going to try it, use good dark chocolate as your chocolate source, as dark chocolate is richer in theobromine.

Jim "Konedog" Koenig, Dentist

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