Question

Explain the management of Over The Counter medication for acute cough in children and adults?

Answer 1

Step 1

Over-the-counter medication (OTC) is also referred to as non-prescription medication. These are the medicine which you can purchase without a prescription. It's safe and efficient to use when you follow the label directions or as suggested by your health care professional.   

Acute cough occurs due to upper respiratory tract infection. Non-prescription or over-the-counter medication are often recommended as the first-line of treatment, however few evidence exists as to the efficacy of these medicines.

Step 2

The efficacy of OTC drugs in acute cough is not well shown or proven. Considerations of taking antihistamines or centrally active antitussive agents should be taken into account when treating children or adults as these drugs can cause serious damage.   

There are generally three basic types of OTCs, such as -

Expectorants help to thin the mucus and make cough smoother. Guaifenesin is the main ingredient in expectorants.

Suppressants help to decrease the number of times coughing occurs. Typically, the active ingredient is dextromethorphan (DM). However, camphor, eucalyptus oil and menthol are few other cough suppressants.

Combination cough products which contains more than one active ingredient such as they have both guaifenesin (expectorants) and dextromethorphan (suppressants).

Step 3

Few points to remember while taking OTCs -

Always look for the active ingredient in the label in order to ensure if it is an expectorants or a suppressants.

Do not exceed the medication beyond 7 days.

Always take the appropriate amount of dosage depending upon the age.

Be extra careful while taking combination medications.

Select the product that will treat the symptom correctly.

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