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Cough medicine often contains cough suppressants and expectorants.

A cough medicine is a medicinal drug used to treat coughing and related conditions. Dry coughs are treated with cough suppressants (antitussives) that suppress the body's urge to cough, while productive coughs (coughs that produce phlegm) are treated with expectorants that loosen mucus from the respiratory tract. These medicines are widely available in the form of cough syrup, also known as linctus. Image File history File links Broom_icon. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 460 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (1228 × 1600 pixels, file size: 151 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 460 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (1228 × 1600 pixels, file size: 151 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Phlegm (pronounced ) is sticky fluid secreted by the typhoid membranes of animals. ... Wikipedia does not yet have an article with this exact name. ... Mucus is a slippery secretion of the lining of the mucous membranes in the body. ... In humans the respiratory tract is the part of the anatomy that has to do with the process of respiration or breathing. ...

Cough suppressants

Cough suppressants may act centrally (on the brain, and specifically the vagus nerve) or locally (on the respiratory tract) to suppress the cough reflex. The human brain In animals, the brain (enkephalos) (Greek for in the skull), is the control center of the central nervous system, responsible for behavior. ... The vagus nerve (also called pneumogastric nerve or cranial nerve X) is the tenth of twelve paired cranial nerves, and is the only nerve that starts in the brainstem (within the medulla oblongata) and extends, through the jugular foramen, down below the head, to the abdomen. ... This article is about biological reflex. ...

Centrally acting suppressants include dextromethorphan (DXM), noscapine, ethyl morphine and codeine. Dextromethorphan (DXM or DM) is an antitussive (cough-suppressant) drug found in many over-the-counter cold and cough medicines. ... Noscapine (also known as Narcotine) is an opioid agonist without significant analgesic properties [1]. It is grouped as part of the benzylisoquinolines, of which papaverine is also included. ... Ethyl morphine is a chemical compound used as a cough-suppressing medicine. ... Codeine (INN) or methylmorphine is an opiate used for its analgesic, antitussive and antidiarrheal properties. ...

Peripherally acting substances include local anaesthetics, which reduce the sensation of nerves in the throat, and demulcents, which coat the esophagus. One category of peripherally acting substances is vapor-administered, such as Vicks VapoRub. Camphor is an active ingredient (along with menthol) in vapor-steam products and it is effective as a cough suppressant. Although it is commonly claimed that liquid cough medicines must coat the throat to be effective, there is no evidence that it is possible to control coughing by this means. A local anesthetic is a drug that reversibly inhibits the propagation of signals along nerves. ... Nerves (yellow) Nerves redirects here. ... For other uses, see Throat (disambiguation). ... Demulcent herbs often have a high content of mucilage, making them ideal to soothe and protect irritated or inflammed internal tissues of the body. ... The esophagus (also spelled oesophagus/œsophagus, Greek ), or gullet is an organ in vertebrates which consists of a muscular tube through which food passes from the pharynx to the stomach. ... 50g Vicks VapoRub. ... R-phrases 11-20/21/22-36/37/38 S-phrases 16-26-36 RTECS number EX1260000 (R) EX1250000 (S) Supplementary data page Structure and properties n, εr, etc. ... Menthol is a covalent organic compound made synthetically or obtained from peppermint or other mint oils. ...

One might think it unwise to suppress the cough reflex (the mechanism for expelling mucus from the respiratory tract) but severe coughing may lead to lung irritation, causing a vicious cycle. The cough reflex is also very strong and cannot be completely suppressed. However, a dry cough (without mucus production) or a cough that is exhausting and prevents sleep should be treated with suppressants. Human respiratory system The lungs flank the heart and great vessels in the chest cavity. ...

Recent studies have found that theobromine, a compound found in cacao, is more effective as a cough suppressant than prescription codeine. This compound suppresses the "itch" signal from the nerve in the back of the throat that causes the cough reflex. It is possible to get an effective dose (1 g, though 0.5 g may be sufficient, according to PMID 15548587) from 50g of dark chocolate, which contains 2 to 10 times more cacao than milk chocolate. Cocoa powder contains roughly 0.1 g per tablespoon (5g).^[1] Theobromine was also free from side effects in the blind tests.^[2] Theobromine, also known as xantheose,[1] is a bitter alkaloid of the cacao plant. ... For the town in French Guiana, see Cacao, French Guiana. ... Codeine (INN) or methylmorphine is an opiate used for its analgesic, antitussive and antidiarrheal properties. ... Chocolate block in melted chocolate Chocolate is a common ingredient in many kinds of sweets—one of the most popular in the world. ... Chocolate block in melted chocolate Chocolate is a common ingredient in many kinds of sweets—one of the most popular in the world. ... Adverse effect, in medicine, is an abnormal, harmful, undesired and/or unintended side-effect, although not necessarily unexpected, which is obtained as the result of a therapy or other medical intervention, such as drug/chemotherapy, physical therapy, surgery, medical procedure, use of a medical device, etc. ...

Expectorants

An expectorant (from Latin ex- "out" + pectoris "of the chest") is a medicine or herb which increases the expulsion of tracheal or bronchial mucus through expectoration or coughing. Guaifenesin is often used in over-the-counter preparations, and is commonly combined with other medications designed to relieve various cold-related symptoms (including cough suppressants, decongestants, antihistamines and pain relievers/fever reducers). For other uses, see Latin (disambiguation). ... For the chemical substances known as medicines, see medication. ... Herbs: basil Herbs (IPA: hə()b, or əb; see pronunciation differences) are seed-bearing plants without woody stems, which die down to the ground after flowering. ... The trachea, or windpipe, is a tube that has an inner diameter of about 12mm and a length of about 10-16cm. ... A bronchus (plural bronchi, adjective bronchial) is a caliber of airway in the respiratory tract that conducts air into the lungs. ... Guaifenesin (IPA: ) (INN) or guaiphenesin (former BAN) is an expectorant drug usually taken orally to assist the expectoration (bringing up) of phlegm from the airways in acute respiratory tract infections. ... Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs are medicines that may be sold without a prescription, in contrast to prescription drugs. ...

Cough drops

Main article: Throat lozenge

Cough drops or throat lozenges are tablets which people can suck to soothe the throat or to alleviate excessive coughing. They are usually small, sweetened (often with artificial sweeteners), and contain an oral anesthetic, such as menthol, which anesthesizes the receptors in the throat that cause the cough reflex. The occasional use of "lozenge" (first used in 1530, according to the Oxford English Dictionary) is due to the original lozenge shape of cough drops. Popular brands of cough drops include Ricola, Fisherman's Friend, Halls, Vicks, Strepsils and Luden's. This does not cite its references or sources. ... Menthol is a covalent organic compound made synthetically or obtained from peppermint or other mint oils. ... The Oxford English Dictionary print set The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) is a dictionary published by the Oxford University Press (OUP), and is the most successful dictionary of the English language, (not to be confused with the one-volume Oxford Dictionary of English, formerly New Oxford Dictionary of English, of... A lozenge (â—Š) is a form of rhombus. ... The Ricola AG is the best known cough drop manufacturers of Switzerland. ... The Fishermans Friend range of lozenges were originally created in Fleetwood, Lancashire in 1865 to relieve various respiratory problems suffered by fishermen who sailed from the town. ... A stick of Extra Strong Halls Halls is the brand name of a popular mentholated cough drop. ... 50g Vicks VapoRub. ... Strepsils is a line of lozenges manufactured by Crookes Healthcare, a subsidiary of Boots Healthcare International (BHI). ... Ludens is a brand of throat lozenge. ...

Controversy

In 2002, researchers at the University of Bristol (Schroeder & Fahey) published a study in the British Medical Journal indicating that some cough medicines are no more effective than placebos for acute coughs in adults, including coughs related to upper respiratory tract infections.^[3] In 2006, the American College of Chest Physicians published a guideline that had the dual message that many over-the-counter cough medicines are not effective and that those that are effective in treating the symptom do not treat the underlying cause; the underlying disorder emphasized by the guideline was pertussis (whooping cough) in the elderly.^[4] The British Medical Journal (BMJ) is a medical journal published weekly in the United Kingdom by the British Medical Association (BMA)which published its first issue in 1845. ... For other uses, see Placebo (disambiguation). ... The American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) is a medical organization consisting of physicians and non-physician specialists in the field of chest medicine, which includes pulmonology, thoracic surgery, and intensive care medicine. ... Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious disease caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis; a similar, milder disease is caused by B. parapertussis. ...

Many cough mixtures contain both an expectorant and a suppressant, even though an expectorant requires the action of a cough to expel mucus.

Mass poisonings due to diethylene glycol

According to the New York Times, at least eight mass poisonings have occurred as a result of counterfeit cough syrup, mostly if not totally produced in China, substituting inexpensive diethylene glycol in place of glycerin. Recently, 365 deaths were reported in Panama associated with cough syrup laced with diethylene glycol. ^[5] Diethylene glycol (DEG) is an organic compound described by the structural formula HO-CH2-CH2-O-CH2-CH2-OH. It is a clear, hygroscopic, odorless liquid. ... Glycerin, also well known as glycerine and glycerol, and less commonly as 1,2,3-propanetriol, 1,2,3-trihydroxypropane, glyceritol, and glycyl alcohol is a colorless, odorless, hygroscopic, and sweet-tasting viscous liquid. ...

Colloquial usage

"Cough medicine", for example "Grandpa's old cough medicine", is also a commonly used euphemism for whiskey and other strong alcoholic beverages, or even actual cough medicine such as NyQuil which in some formulations has a high alcohol content. Rock candy dissolved in whiskey was once a common home-made cough medicine. Euphemism is the substitution of an agreeable or inoffensive expression for one that may offend or suggest something unpleasant to the listener; or in the case of doublespeak, to make it less troublesome for the speaker. ... NyQuil LiquiCaps NyQuil, produced by the Vicks company, is the brand name of a family of cold medicine designed to help relieve many symptoms of the common cold. ... Rock candy is a type of confectionery composed of relatively large sugar crystals. ...

Notes

1. ^ http://www.hersheys.com/nutrition/theobromine.asp
2. ^ Vince, Gaia. "Persistent coughs melt away with chocolate", New Scientist, November 22, 2004. 
3. ^ Knut Schroeder and Tom Fahey (2002). "Systematic review of randomised controlled trials of over the counter cough medicines for acute cough in adults". British Medical Journal 324: 329–331. PMID 11834560. 
4. ^ American College of Chest Physicians (January 9, 2006). New Cough Guidelines Urge Adult Whooping Cough Vaccine; Many OTC Medications Not Recommended for Cough Treatment. Press release.
5. ^ http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/06/world/06poison.html

New Scientist is a weekly international science magazine covering recent developments in science and technology for a general English-speaking audience. ... is the 326th day of the year (327th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The British Medical Journal (BMJ) is a medical journal published weekly in the United Kingdom by the British Medical Association (BMA)which published its first issue in 1845. ... The American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) is a medical organization consisting of physicians and non-physician specialists in the field of chest medicine, which includes pulmonology, thoracic surgery, and intensive care medicine. ... is the 9th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... For information on Wikipedia press releases, see Wikipedia:Press releases. ...

See also

• Nin Jiom Pei Pa Koa
• Purple drank

King-to Nin Jiom Pei Pa Koa (京都念奄川貝枇杷膏) or more commonly, Nin Jiom Pei Pa Koa or simply Pei Pa Koa is a Traditional Chinese natural herbal remedy used for the relief of sore throat, coughs, hoarseness, and loss of voice. ... Purple Drank is an illegal recreational drink popular amongst Blacks of the Southern United States. ...

External links

• Cough medicines not helpful - from CNN.com