This constriction increases the size of the airway, allowing people to breathe more easily through their nose. These drugs work by constricting blood vessels in the nasal passages. Phenylephrine and pseudoephedrine are two decongestants that people may find in OTC cold and cough medications. Decongestantsĭecongestants help alleviate a blocked nose. Anyone who is unsure whether a product is right for them should speak to a pharmacist. However, antihistamines can cause drowsiness.īefore choosing a product, people should decide which symptoms they want to treat. Some products also contain an antihistamine, which can help control coughing. Manufacturers sometimes add acetaminophen or ibuprofen to products to help treat pain or fever. People who take all-in-one products are at risk of taking medicines that they do not need, and this can increase the likelihood of side effects. Many OTC products contain a decongestant, but these are only effective for treating nasal congestion.Īll-in-one cough, cold, and flu products may contain a combination of these ingredients. A person with a productive cough can take an expectorant, but a dry or tickly cough usually requires a cough suppressant. The mechanism of action behind each of these techniques is unknown, and doctors have questioned their effectiveness.ĭifferent cold and flu symptoms require treatment with different types of drugs. Other techniques to help release mucus from the airways are oral hydration therapy and steam inhalation. However, more studies are still necessary to determine the effectiveness of ivy leaf extract for relieving cold and cough symptoms. Ivy leaf extract is a popular natural remedy for cough and cold symptoms because of its supposed effects on mucus production, cough, and airway dilation.Ī 2017 Polish study suggested that a medicine containing dry ivy extract may be effective in treating productive coughs, such as those that occur in respiratory tract infections. A 2014 animal study suggests that menthol may relax the airway muscles, allowing more air to enter the respiratory system and helping improve cough and cold symptoms.įurther studies in humans are necessary to confirm the action of menthol on cough symptoms.
Menthol provides a cooling sensation that can soothe a sore throat. It is a common ingredient in throat lozenges and cough syrups. Menthol is a natural chemical that derives from plants belonging to the mint family.
It does this by increasing respiratory secretions, which are more fluid than phlegm.Īs OTC expectorants may not always be effective, some people try natural treatments instead. This drug helps loosen mucus and make it easier to cough up. Potassium iodide is an expectorant that is only available via prescription.ĭoctors prescribe potassium iodide oral solution to people with chronic lung diseases. However, in a 2019 review article, researchers suggest that the current research is weak and state the need for further studies of guaifenesin as an expectorant. However, some researchers have suggested that guaifenesin reduces the stickiness of mucus by hydrating it, which makes it easier for people to cough up.Īccording to the authors of a 2017 study, researchers consider guaifenesin a safe and effective expectorant for treating mucus-related symptoms in upper respiratory tract infections and stable chronic bronchitis. Guaifenesin is currently the only expectorant on the market in the United States that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have approved.Įxperts do not yet know how guaifenesin prevents coughing. People can find guaifenesin in the following OTC products: The most commonly available expectorant in over-the-counter (OTC) medications is guaifenesin. Common medicinal expectorants include: Guaifenesin Medicinal expectorants contain an active ingredient that will thin the mucus, making the cough more productive.