Coughing is one of the most common reasons why we go to the GP. Since most coughs are caused by colds or flu or environmental factors.
Over-the-counter cough medicines and home remedies usually fix the problem.
Note: However, it’s important to see your doctor to see if you need prescription cough medicine.
In the following article we will present a list of effective syrups recommended for cough relief.
What is cough?
A cough is often accompanied by a cold. Although coughing is unpleasant and annoying, it also serves as one of the body’s defense mechanisms.
Note: Coughing is used to get rid of inhaled foreign particles such as dust or pollen that can be irritating or harmful to the respiratory system.
Therefore, coughing is a mechanism to clear the airways of potentially harmful substances. Coughing is a reflex that requires several sensors, nerves, and muscles.
Causes of cough
There are several reasons why you can cough. The cough can be sporadic, chronic or acute. Chronic cough can be due to asthma, COPD, a cold, the flu, or smoking.
allergies
Coughing can be caused by allergies. In the case of allergic cough, this is usually accompanied by runny nose and nasal congestion.
Note: This is similar to cold symptoms or an allergic reaction. Sometimes it is usually accompanied by an itchy nose or throat.
Asthma
Asthma cough can occur in asthmatics after exercise, after exposure to allergens, after laughing , and often at night. It is also very common in younger children.
Note: Some cough triggers for asthma are outdoor allergens, such as pollen.
On the other hand, there are also indoor allergens, such as pet hair, mites and mold, as well as certain medications or irritating chemicals in the air, such as smoke or chemical vapors such as perfume or pesticides.
cold and flu
A persistent dry cough and scratchy throat may indicate a cold or the flu. The flu virus can also cause a wheezing cough and a feeling of tightness in the chest.
Note: A cough from a cold tends to be accompanied by mucus and phlegm, while a cough from the flu is usually a dry cough.
lung infections
Lung infections are much like the common cold. However, it most often occurs when a virus enters the body through the mouth or nose.
Note: It is most often spread by touching infected surfaces, such as a doorknob, and when someone sneezes or coughs near us.
Sinusitis
The cough produced by sinusitis is particularly wet, since the sinuses produce a postnasal drip. This dripping sometimes feels like a tickle in the back of the throat, and mucosal drainage can lead to chronic coughing.
Recommended cough syrups
Various medicines can be used to treat cough and cold symptoms, but only some of them can quickly treat the symptoms. Here we mention the most recommended cough syrups:
1. Bisolvon
Bisolvon treats chest congestion and cough. Since Bisolvon breaks down mucus and makes coughing easier, you may initially notice an increase in coughing (1) .
On the other hand, it is an over-the-counter medicine used to treat chest congestion and cough. Bisolvon belongs to a group of medicines called mucolytics, which work by breaking down mucus to make it easier to cough up.
Note: This liquid medicine can be given 2-4 times a day.
Although rare, possible side effects of Bisolvon may include nausea, rash, vomiting, diarrhea, or stomach pain.
2. Histiacil
Histiacil is a popular syrup to treat symptoms caused by colds, flu, allergies, and other respiratory diseases such as sinusitis or bronchitis (2) .
Note: Dextromethorphan, which is the name of the drug, is a cough suppressant that affects a certain part of the brain that handles coughing, reducing the urge to cough.
In addition, it has decongestants that help relieve the symptoms of nasal congestion and antihistamines, which relieve watery eyes, itchy eyes, nose and throat.
Important: It is important to take into account that this medicine should not be administered to people with hypersensitivity to the components of the formula, or to children under two years of age.
3.Mucosan
Mucosan is a popular expectorant to relieve irritation of the respiratory tract and dissolves the phlegm in the bronchi that causes coughing. It helps get rid of excess phlegm by making it thinner and more liquid (3) .
Note: Mucosan is available by prescription and is used to treat various respiratory conditions of excessive mucus production.
Like other medicines, Mucosan can cause side effects, such as nausea, altered sense of taste, numbness in the pharynx or mouth, although not everyone suffers from them.
4.Iniston
Iniston is an expectorant and decongestant with pseudoephedrine, guaifenesin and triprolidine (4) .
Pseudoephedrine is a nasal decongestant, while guaifenesin is an expectorant that relieves cough by decreasing mucus and facilitating its expulsion. Finally, triprolidine relieves nasal discharge.
Note: This medicine is suitable for relieving cough, congestion, and runny nose caused by a cold or flu in adults and adolescents over 12 years of age.
If you suffer from a respiratory disease, such as emphysema, bronchitis or asthma. Or if you suffer from thyroid disease, or diabetes, or cardiovascular disease or hypertension, consult a doctor before taking medication.
5. Broncolin
Broncolin cough syrup is a nutritional supplement that contains honey, propolis and natural plant extracts (5) .
Propolis is a resinous substance, produced by bees with materials collected from trees. Propolis is a natural anti-inflammatory rich in flavonoids (antioxidants) and is a powerful natural health remedy.
Note: In addition, broncolin contains extracts of elderberry, eucalyptus, mullein, and peppermint oil. These are natural remedies, which science has proven to have numerous health benefits.
Broncolin helps relieve sore throats and coughs, thanks to its formula that contains natural plant extracts, such as menthol and eucalyptus.
6. Broncolan
Broncolan is a food supplement based on propolis and plant extracts, a formulation that is especially useful in cases of bronchial cold and lung disorders, cough, chronic and acute bronchitis.
Important: Do not exceed the recommended doses on the package insert, as this product should not be used as a substitute for a balanced and healthy diet.
7. Tukol–D
Tukol is a mucolytic expectorant syrup with Hedera Helix extract that relieves dry cough and facilitates the expulsion of phlegm. Its formula is of natural origin and contains Hedera Helix extract, which loosens phlegm, favoring its expulsion (6) .
Tukol can be administered from the age of 2 since it does not contain alcohol and does not cause sleep. In young children, a dose of 2.5ml every 3 times a day is recommended.
Note: The recommended intake for school-age children is 5ml every 3 times a day, while in adults over 12 and adults it is recommended to take between 5 and 7.5ml 3 times a day.
Some Tukol contraindications, although not common, include hypersensitivity to any of the medication’s components and stomach upset.
8.Vick-44
Vick-44 is used to relieve coughing, sneezing, or runny nose caused by a cold, rhinitis, or other respiratory tract allergies.
It also contains a non-opioid cough suppressant (chlorphedianol, dextromethorphan) that affects a part of the brain (known as the cough center) to stop coughing (7) .
Furthermore, this product contains an antihistamine that blocks the effects of histamine, which causes allergy symptoms.
Important: Before taking it, talk to your doctor as the dose will depend on age, medical condition and response to treatment.
9. Thessalon
The active substance of Tesalon is Benzonatate that prevents, reduces and eliminates cough caused by various diseases.
Note: It can be given for bronchitis, pneumonia, and pulmonary tuberculosis.
Some of the Tesalon contraindications may include numbness in the alimentary tract, including the mouth (8) .
Important: Do not administer to children under 10 years of age or to people sensitive to the drug and pregnant or lactating women.
10. Fluidin
Carbocisteine is the active ingredient in fluidin, and according to the NHS (the UK’s national health service) it is a type of mucolytic medicine that helps get rid of phlegm. This syrup can help against COPD and cystic fibrosis (9) .
An adult dose of 15 ml of syrup is recommended, 3 times a day until symptoms improve.
While for children up to 4 years old, between 1.25 ml and 2.5 ml of syrup is recommended, 4 times a day. For children from 5 to 11 years old, 5 ml of syrup 3 times a day and for pre-adolescents from 12 to 17 years old, 15 ml, 3 times a day.
Like all medicines, Fluidin can cause side effects, although this is rare. These include diarrhea and stomach upset.
11. Prospanthus
Prospantus is an expectorant syrup based on medicinal plants for coughs and benign bronchial conditions. It facilitates the elimination of mucus and is suitable for adults and children over 6 years of age (10) .
Important: Always consult your doctor before starting to take a medication, since the use of Prospantus with other medications such as codeine or dextromethorphan is not recommended without prior medical consultation.
12. Flutox
Flutox combats different types of dry or irritative cough that is not accompanied by mucus and occurs in response to irritation.
Note: The more we cough, the more the state of the respiratory tract worsens, so in the event of a coughing attack, irritation or itching increases, which causes more coughing.
Cloperastine is the active ingredient in Flutox and works against coughs and itchy throats. Although you do not need a prescription to buy Flutox, it is advisable to consult your doctor before taking any medication (11) .
To highlight: It is recommended to take 10 ml every 8 hours in adults and over 12 years of age. While in children between 6 and 12 years old, 5 ml every 8 hours is recommended. And in children between 2 and 5 years old, 2.5 ml every 8 hours.
As with other medicines, Flutox can cause side effects, although this does not usually happen. The adverse effects that can occur the most, although they are rare, are: drowsiness and dry mouth, drowsiness, or hives.
Key takeaways
- Coughing is one of the most common reasons why we go to the GP, it is usually accompanied by a cold. Coughing is a mechanism to clear the airways of potentially harmful substances. It is also a reflex that requires various sensors, nerves, and muscles.
- There are several reasons why you can cough. This can be sporadic, chronic or acute. The causes can be allergies, asthma, colds, flu and lung infections.
- There are many ways to combat cough, one of them is through expectorant syrups such as Mucosan, Iniston and Prospantus. Others that are mucolytic or expectorant and mucolytic such as Bisolvon, Broncolín, Tukol and Fluidín. And others for more acute coughs such as Flutox and Broncolan.
University Professional in the area of Human Resources, Postgraduate in Occupational Health and Hygiene of the Work Environment, 14 years of experience in the area of health. Interested in topics of Psychology, Occupational Health, and General Medicine.