Chesty (productive) cough
Chesty (productive) cough
Chesty (or ‘wet’) coughs occur when a person coughs up mucus or phlegm. They are often produced by a postnasal drip that causes mucus to seep down the throat.13
Some chesty coughs can:13
Worsen, due to pneumonia – a bacterial infection where the tissue on the lungs become inflamed
Be caused by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) – a type of lung disease where common symptoms also include shortness of breath and wheezing
Symptom management
Symptom management for coughs depends on the type of cough the customer has. OTC products are suitable for those suffering with non-severe acute productive cough.
EXPECTORANTS
Expectorants are suitable for chesty or productive coughs. They aim to loosen bronchial secretions which can then be coughed up more easily.
Guaifenesin is an example of an expectorant used in OTC cough medicines, which may help to reduce symptoms.8
PRODUCTS FOR CHESTY OR PRODUCTIVE COUGHS
Click the products to find out more.
Benylin® Mucus Cough Max
Honey & Lemon Flavour 100mg/5ml Syrup (GSL) (GUAIFENESIN)
Syrup containing 100mg guaifenesin per 5ml
To help loosen phlegm and relieve a productive (chesty) cough
Immediately feel the unique maximum strength honey and lemon formula with its soothing sensation and invigorating taste
Starts to be absorbed within 15 mins
DOSAGE:
Adults and children over 12 years:
10ml 4 times daily, maximum 40ml daily
NOT recommended in children
under 12 yearsNOT to be used in persistent or
chronic cough
Benylin® Chesty Coughs Non-Drowsy (GSL) (GUAIFENESIN, LEVOMENTHOL)
Syrup containing 100mg guaifenesin and 1.1mg levomenthol per 5ml
Symptomatic relief of cough
Provides deep penetrating relief and a soothing effect
DOSAGE:
Adults and children aged 12 years and over:
10ml syrup every 4-6 hours up to 4 times a day
NOT to be given to children under 12 years
NOT to be used in persistent or chronic cough or cough accompanied by excessive secretions
ANTIHISTAMINES such as diphenhydramine may be useful in drying up nasal secretions and stopping mucus dripping into the throat. Diphenhydramine also causes drowsiness so can help aid a restful sleep when used in combination with a cough expectorant.11
Benylin® Mucus Cough Night (P) (DIPHENHYDRAMINE, GUAIFENESIN, LEVOMENTHOL)
Clear red syrup containing 100mg guaifenesin, 1.1mg, levomenthol and 14mg diphenhydramine per 5ml
For the relief of cough associated with congestive symptoms, and aiding restful sleep
DOSAGE:
Adults and children over 12 years:
2x 5ml spoonfuls 4 times a day. Or to aid sleep, customers may start with 2x 5ml spoonfuls at bedtime followed by 2x 5ml spoonfuls every 6 hours. No more than 4 doses (2x 5 ml spoonfuls) in 24 hours
NOT to be taken by children under 12
May cause drowsiness