Why cough syrups need prescription: Choose the right one for dry cough, phlegm and allergies
For many families, the first instinct is often to reach for a bottle of cough syrup. However, not all cough syrups are the same, and not every cough requires medication. That’s why you need the doctor’s prescription.“We also need to understand that cough syrups are meant to provide temporary relief from symptoms and are not the treatment in themselves. One of the biggest misconceptions is that there is a single cough syrup that works for all types of cough. In reality, we choose a cough medicine based on the cause and nature of the cough. For example, a dry cough caused by throat irritation may require a different approach from a cough that produces mucus or phlegm. Some syrups are designed to suppress the urge to cough, while others help loosen mucus so that it can be expelled more easily,” says Dr Nikhil Modi, senior consultant, Respiratory Medicine, Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, Delhi.Certain formulations may also contain ingredients that help with allergies, congestion, or throat irritation. “It’s important to identify the root cause first,” he says. Excerpts:
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