14/07/2026
WEEKLY HEALTH TIP💊💊
KNOW YOUR COUGH BEFORE YOUR COUGH SYRUP
1️⃣ Dry (Non-Productive) Cough
This cough is dry, irritating, and produces no mucus. It often feels like a constant tickle in the throat.
Common causes:
• Viral infections (especially after a cold)
• Asthma
• Acid reflux (GERD)
• Certain blood pressure medicines (ACE inhibitors)eg Lisinopril, captopril etc..
• Smoke or dust irritation
Best type of cough syrup to use :
✅ Cough suppressants (Antitussives)
These work by reducing the urge to cough.
Common ingredients:
• Dextromethorphan
• Codeine-containing syrups (only when prescribed)
2️⃣ Wet (Productive) Cough
This cough brings up mucus or phlegm.
Your body is trying to clear the lungs and airways.
Common causes:
• Chest infections
• Bronchitis
• Pneumonia
• COPD
• Smoking
Best type of cough syrup:
✅ Expectorants and Mucolytics
These loosen and thin mucus so it can be coughed out more easily.
Common ingredients of an expectorant includes:
• Guaifenesin
• Ambroxol
• Bromhexine
• Acetylcysteine (NAC)
• Carbocisteine
3️⃣ Allergic Cough
Usually accompanied by:
• Sneezing
• Runny nose
• Itchy eyes
• Throat irritation
It often occurs after exposure to dust, pollen, perfumes, pet dander, or cold air.
Best treatment:
✅ Antihistamines
Examples include:
• Cetirizine
•LoratadineChlorpheniramine
Sometimes these are combined with cough syrups.
4️⃣ Cough with Thick Sticky Mucus
The mucus is difficult to cough out and may feel "stuck" in the chest.
Best treatment:
✅ Mucolytics
These break down thick mucus, making it easier to remove.
Examples:
• Ambroxol
• Bromhexine
• Acetylcysteine
• Carbocisteine
5️⃣ Whooping or Persistent Cough
If your cough:
• Lasts more than 3 weeks
• Causes difficulty breathing
Comes with coughing fits
• Produces blood
• Is associated with chest pain
• Is accompanied by high fever or weight loss
❌ Don't keep changing syrups.
You need proper medical evaluation because it could be due to pneumonia, tuberculosis, asthma, pertussis (whooping cough), chronic lung disease, or another underlying condition.
⚠️ Important Things to Remember
✔️ Antibiotics do NOT treat every cough.
✔️ Not every cough needs a cough syrup.
✔️ Children under certain ages should not be given many cough medicines unless recommended by a healthcare professional.
✔️ Drinking plenty of fluids and treating the underlying cause are often just as important as the syrup itself.
🚨 Visit the pharmacy if you're unsure.
A pharmacist will help determine whether you need:
• A cough suppressant
• An expectorant
• A mucolytic
• An antihistamine
Know your cough... not just your cough syrup.
Because the right treatment starts with the right diagnosis not the most advertised bottle on the shelf.
📍 Avix Pharmacy – Your Health Care Partner for Life.
