When having a cough that won’t just go away, you know the search for relief is on. And when this search leads you to the over-the-counter (OTC) cough medicine aisle, you research your options. There’s no shortage of them.
But what’s the best OTC cough medicine? Willa anything give your lungs a break? In this simple guide, we examine some of the things you should keep in mind the next time you so decide to shop for the best OTCN medicine for your cough.
Types of Cough Medicine
A visit to your local pharmacy reveals row after row of cough syrup in Singapore, lozenges, rubs, patches, and other products promising to calm your situation. And aside to coming in different forms, they come also with different ingredients. Some are better for some uses, others for other needs.
In most instances, cough medicine may not be your best answer for all. Here’s a quick look at some of the most common cough medicine ingredients and their best uses.
Dextromethorphan
This is a very weak opiate and cough suppressant medicine that’s best used for a dry cough. That’s not to mean a cough that doesn’t have you hacking up mucus. Cough is a reflex that helps clear your airways and Dextromethorphan dulls that reflex.
After all, it acts on the brain’s cough center to calm your cough reflex so you no longer feel the urge to cough. It’s typically sold as a cough syrup in Singapore but can also be found sometimes in pills, soft gels, and gummy formulas.
Guaifenesin
In case your cough is related to nasal or chest congestion, guaifenesin may the ideal option to leverage. This is an expectorant and can help to make coughs more productive. It’s typically sold as a pill that you swallow but also comes in syrups and gummies. Guaifenesin can help loosen up mucus so that your body can expel it.
What we are trying to imply is that it can help you cough it out and keep that runny nose flowing. No wonder taking guaifenesin may mean that your cough and other symptoms could get worse before they get better. It is also worth mentioning that taking it at bedtime isn’t your best bet, unless you want to be up blowing your nose and coughing all night.
Be sure to do your homework before taking up cough syrup in Singapore.
