“What is the best cough medicine for bronchitis?”
My son has bronchitis with a cough. What is the best cough medicine for bronchitis?
3 Answers
You are supposed to have a cough when you have bronchitis. A cough keeps you from drowning in your own airway mucus resulting from bronchitis. One goal is to have mucus flow efficiently so that one's cough can clear it effectively. A second goal is to be comfortable when you cough. Having adequate saliva in one's mouth can ease somewhat the "tickle" that makes you cough. That's why sucking on a lozenge safely can soothe a cough. It's not a medication effect; it is a liquid soothing of the cough-requiring throat tickle. A third goal is being able to sleep adequately so a cough at night won't wake you. Narcotics can calm a cough so you can sleep, but they have their own problems. Seriously narcotics should not be prescribed for cough control. There is a cornucopia of cough medicines available over-the-counter for cough. If you read their labels, they all share similar contents. Usually, there is DM (dextromethorphan). There can be an antihistamine, e.g., Benadryl (diphenhydramine). Often a decongestant is included which does nothing to suppress a cough but is intended to
decongest the nose. There is often Guaifenesin, which is supposed to liquefy mucus and assist expectoration, but actually has minimal benefit in humans_only in lab rats in large dose. Guaifenesin has been grandfathered by the FDA for OTC meds. There is some research to show that organic honey (dark honey, Buckwheat honey) can soothe a cough. Adults can take 10 mL of dark honey for that purpose especially at bedtime. Children over 2 years old, usually 2.5 mL; older children, 5 mL. Asking your pediatrician is a good idea.
Most bronchitis in children and adolescents (even adults) are viral in origin. Antibiotics are not indicated for treatment. Cough from bronchitis should not last more than 2-3 weeks. All coughs are not bronchitis, so a correct diagnosis is important. Don't see your doctor more mild cough that doesn't intrude in your life. But if you can sleep due to cough, or your chest hurts with cough, or one is short of breath and winded with cough and between coughs, communicating with your doctor would be wise.
I hope it's obvious to readers that "bronchitis" today during the pandemic might be a manifestation of COVID-19; it can also be any number of other viruses. If you are well with a cough, in my opinion, you don't need a COVID test as long as you are willing to self-isolate for 10 days so you are not a risk to your community. If you can't self-isolate, you should get advice from your doctor and not self-treat. If you are "well" with a cough, bronchitis or not, you might have a COVID illness and should communicate with your doctor. This can be a virtual telemedicine visit if you are well. But if you are not well with a cough, your doctor or another health professional will need to listen to your chest as part of an appropriate physical examination. I recommend you start with a phone call to your health professional for advice and a plan to monitor your progress and recovery.
So, my bottom line answer to your question of what is the best cough medicine for bronchitis is the one that works for you.
Marc Tanenbaum, MD
decongest the nose. There is often Guaifenesin, which is supposed to liquefy mucus and assist expectoration, but actually has minimal benefit in humans_only in lab rats in large dose. Guaifenesin has been grandfathered by the FDA for OTC meds. There is some research to show that organic honey (dark honey, Buckwheat honey) can soothe a cough. Adults can take 10 mL of dark honey for that purpose especially at bedtime. Children over 2 years old, usually 2.5 mL; older children, 5 mL. Asking your pediatrician is a good idea.
Most bronchitis in children and adolescents (even adults) are viral in origin. Antibiotics are not indicated for treatment. Cough from bronchitis should not last more than 2-3 weeks. All coughs are not bronchitis, so a correct diagnosis is important. Don't see your doctor more mild cough that doesn't intrude in your life. But if you can sleep due to cough, or your chest hurts with cough, or one is short of breath and winded with cough and between coughs, communicating with your doctor would be wise.
I hope it's obvious to readers that "bronchitis" today during the pandemic might be a manifestation of COVID-19; it can also be any number of other viruses. If you are well with a cough, in my opinion, you don't need a COVID test as long as you are willing to self-isolate for 10 days so you are not a risk to your community. If you can't self-isolate, you should get advice from your doctor and not self-treat. If you are "well" with a cough, bronchitis or not, you might have a COVID illness and should communicate with your doctor. This can be a virtual telemedicine visit if you are well. But if you are not well with a cough, your doctor or another health professional will need to listen to your chest as part of an appropriate physical examination. I recommend you start with a phone call to your health professional for advice and a plan to monitor your progress and recovery.
So, my bottom line answer to your question of what is the best cough medicine for bronchitis is the one that works for you.
Marc Tanenbaum, MD
Hello
Sudafed works well for cough. If it continues, take him to the pediatrician. He may need antibiotics. Feel better.
Sudafed works well for cough. If it continues, take him to the pediatrician. He may need antibiotics. Feel better.
There is no best cough medication. Is is supportive care based on the symptoms. For cough with wheezing breathing treatments. For symptoms of congestion and allergies then antihistamines medication. For younger patient maybe just sectioning for nasal congestion. One answer does not fit all treatments.
