Table 3 Over-the-counter and prescription medicines available for the therapy of acute cough
Type of product | Component | Available in combinations with | OTC or prescription; formulation |
|---|---|---|---|
Cough suppressant | Benzonatate | - | Prescription; perles and capsules |
| Â | DXM polistirex | - | OTC; extended-release suspension |
| Â | DXM | Antihistamine: promethazine | Prescription; syrup |
| Â | Hydrocodone | Agent to discourage overdose: homatropine | Prescription; tablet and syrup |
| Â | Hydrocodone | Antihistamine: chlorpheniramine | Prescription; extended-release suspension and extended-release capsule |
Antihistamine | Brompheniramine | - | Prescription; elixir and injection |
| Â | Brompheniramine | Cough suppressant + decongestant: DMX + pseudoephedrine | Prescription; syrup |
| Â | Chlorpheniramine | Cough suppressant: codeine | Prescription; extended-release suspension |
| Â | Clemastine | - | OTC or prescription; tablet and syrup |
| Â | Desloratadine | - | Prescription; tablet and syrup |
| Â | Desloratadine | Decongestant: pseudoephedrine | Prescription; extended-release tablet |
| Â | Dexbrompheniramine | Decongestant: pseudoephedrine | OTC; extended-release tablet |
| Â | Dexbrompheniramine | Decongestant + antipyretic: pseudoephedrine + acetaminophen | OTC; extended-release tablet |
| Â | Diphenhydramine | - | Prescription; injection, elixir and capsule |
| Â | Loratadine | - | OTC; tablet and syrup |
| Â | Loratadine | Decongestant: pseudoephedrine | OTC; extended-release tablet |
| Â | Promethazine | Cough suppressant: codeine | Prescription; syrup |
| Â | Promethazine | Cough suppressant + decongestant: codeine + phenylephrine | Prescription; syrup |
| Â | Promethazine | Cough suppressant + decongestant + antihistamine: codeine + phenylephrine + triprolidine | Prescription; syrup |
Expectorant | Guaifenesin | - | OTC; tablet |
| Â | Guaifenesin | Cough suppressant: DXM | OTC; tablet |
| Â | Guaifenesin | Decongestant: pseudoephedrine | OTC; tablet |