Coughing is a common and persistent symptom reported during and after a COVID-19 infection. This respiratory discomfort results from the virus causing inflammation and irritation within the airways. While a cough is the body’s natural defense mechanism to clear irritants and secretions, a prolonged or severe cough can significantly impact sleep quality and daily function. Effective relief requires choosing an appropriate over-the-counter medication based on the specific nature of your cough.
Identifying Your Cough Type
Effective cough relief begins with correctly identifying whether your cough is productive or non-productive. A productive, or “wet,” cough is characterized by the presence of mucus, phlegm, or other secretions brought up from the lungs and airways. This type of cough serves a beneficial purpose by actively clearing the respiratory tract of debris and infection-related buildup.
Conversely, a non-productive, or “dry,” cough is often described as hacking, tickling, or irritating and does not produce any mucus. This dry irritation stems from inflammation in the throat and upper airways. Treating a cough effectively depends entirely on this distinction, as medications are designed to either suppress the reflex or enhance the body’s ability to clear secretions.
Over-the-Counter Ingredients for Symptom Relief
The goal of medication is to manage the cough based on its function: calming the reflex or facilitating the expulsion of mucus. For the irritating, non-productive dry cough, antitussives are the appropriate treatment choice. The most common over-the-counter antitussive is Dextromethorphan (DM).
Dextromethorphan works centrally by acting on the cough center in the brain, elevating the threshold required to trigger the cough reflex. By blocking the signal from the irritated nerves, DM helps suppress the constant urge to cough, providing temporary relief and allowing for better rest.
When dealing with a wet or productive cough, the focus shifts to thinning the built-up mucus rather than suppressing the reflex. Expectorants, particularly Guaifenesin, are designed for this purpose. Guaifenesin works by increasing the water content and volume of respiratory tract secretions, decreasing the adhesiveness and viscosity of the mucus.
This action makes the mucus thinner and less sticky, allowing the tiny hair-like structures in the airways, called cilia, to transport the secretions out more effectively. Guaifenesin enhances mucociliary clearance, making the cough more productive and allowing the body to expel the phlegm. Using a cough suppressant on a wet cough is counterproductive, as it prevents the body from clearing necessary secretions.
Medications and Combinations to Use Cautiously
A potential pitfall in treating a COVID-related cough is relying on multi-symptom cold and flu formulas. These combination products often include ingredients unnecessary for a cough alone, increasing the risk of side effects or accidental overdose. For instance, many formulas contain Acetaminophen, which can cause severe liver damage if a person unknowingly takes multiple products containing the same ingredient.
Decongestants like pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine are frequently bundled into these medicines. These ingredients are primarily intended to relieve nasal congestion, which is not the root cause of a cough. Decongestants can cause undesirable side effects such as insomnia, nervousness, or an elevated heart rate and blood pressure, making them a poor choice when the only symptom is a cough.
Choose single-ingredient products that target only the specific symptom you are experiencing. Individuals taking chronic prescription medications should consult with a pharmacist before starting any new over-the-counter cough medicine. Dextromethorphan, for example, can interact dangerously with certain classes of antidepressants, such as MAO inhibitors, leading to serious complications.
Non-Drug Methods for Soothing a Cough
Complementing medication with simple home-based strategies can provide significant relief for an irritated throat and airways. Staying well-hydrated is effective, as drinking plenty of fluids helps thin respiratory secretions, making a wet cough easier to manage. Warm liquids, such as herbal tea or broth, are particularly soothing to an irritated throat.
Inhaling warm, moist air can also help calm airway irritation and loosen thick mucus. Using a cool-mist humidifier or sitting in a steamy bathroom after running a hot shower can moisturize the respiratory passages. For temporary relief of a dry cough, sucking on throat lozenges or hard candies stimulates saliva production, which coats and soothes the throat lining. A spoonful of honey can also be an effective natural cough suppressant for adults, but it should never be given to children under the age of one due to the risk of infant botulism.