{{Short description|Medication taken to relieve cold symptoms}} {{Redirect|Cough syrup|other uses|Cough Syrup (disambiguation)}} {{Redirect|Theraflu|the Kanye West song originally titled "Theraflu"|Cold (Kanye West song)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2025}} {{cs1 config|name-list-style=vanc|display-authors=6}} {{Infobox medical intervention | name = Cough medicine | image = Cough medicine.jpg | caption = Cough medicine often contains cough suppressants and expectorants. | alt = | pronounce = | synonyms = Cough and cold medicine, cough syrup, lin, lean | ICD10 = | ICD9 = | ICD9unlinked = | MeshID = | LOINC = | other_codes = | MedlinePlus = | eMedicine = }}
'''Cold medicines''' are a group of medications taken individually or in combination as a treatment for the symptoms of the common cold and similar conditions of the upper respiratory tract. The term encompasses a broad array of drugs, including analgesics, antihistamines and decongestants, among many others. It also includes drugs which are marketed as '''cough suppressants''' or '''antitussives''', but their effectiveness in reducing cough symptoms is unclear or minimal.<ref name=Cochrane2014/><ref name=Mal2017>{{cite journal |last1=Malesker |first1=MA |last2=Callahan-Lyon |first2=P |last3=Ireland |first3=B |last4=Irwin |first4=RS |last5=CHEST Expert Cough |first5=Panel. |title=Pharmacologic and Nonpharmacologic Treatment for Acute Cough Associated With the Common Cold: CHEST Expert Panel Report. |journal=Chest |date=November 2017 |volume=152 |issue=5 |pages=1021–1037 |doi=10.1016/j.chest.2017.08.009 |pmid=28837801|pmc=6026258 }}</ref><ref name=Sp2018>{{cite journal |last1=Speich |first1=B |last2=Thomer |first2=A |last3=Aghlmandi |first3=S |last4=Ewald |first4=H |last5=Zeller |first5=A |last6=Hemkens |first6=LG |title=Treatments for subacute cough in primary care: systematic review and meta-analyses of randomised clinical trials. |journal=The British Journal of General Practice |date=October 2018 |volume=68 |issue=675 |pages=e694–e702 |doi=10.3399/bjgp18X698885 |pmid=30201828|pmc=6145999 }}</ref>
While they have been used by 10% of American children in any given week, they are not recommended in Canada or the United States in children six years or younger because of lack of evidence showing effect and concerns of harm.<ref name=CFP2009>{{Cite journal|url=http://www.cfp.ca/cgi/content/full/55/11/1081 |title=Use of over-the-counter cough and cold medications in children|first2=RD|last2=Goldman|author=Shefrin and Goldman|volume=55|issue=11|date=November 2009|pages=1081–1083|journal=Canadian Family Physician |pmid=19910592|pmc=2776795}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/10/19/coldmed.fda/index.html|title=FDA panel: No cold medicines to children under 6|work=CNN|access-date=27 November 2009|location=Washington}}</ref>{{nbsp}}
==Types== There are a number of different cough and cold medications, which may be used for various coughing symptoms. The commercially available products may include various combinations of any one or more of the following types of substances:{{citation needed|date=August 2022}} * Mucokinetics, or mucolytics, are a class of drugs which aid in the clearance of mucus from the airways, lungs, bronchi, and trachea. Examples are carbocisteine, ambroxol, and bromhexine. * Expectorants are substances claimed to make coughing easier by modifying the production of mucus. Two examples are acetylcysteine and guaifenesin. * Antitussives, or cough suppressants, are substances which suppress the coughing itself. Examples are dextromethorphan, benzonatate, codeine, hydrocodone, pholcodine, noscapine, cloperastine, and butamirate. * Antihistamines, for allergic rhinitis, may produce mild sedation and reduce other associated symptoms, like a runny nose and watery eyes. Examples are diphenhydramine, chlorpheniramine, brompheniramine, loratadine, and cetirizine. * Decongestants may improve nasal congestion in sinus infections. Examples are ephedrine, phenylephrine, pseudoephedrine, and oxymetazoline. * Fever or pain medication. Examples are paracetamol (acetaminophen) and NSAIDs such as ibuprofen or naproxen. * Also employed are various substances supposed to soften the coughing, like honey or supplement syrup.
An example combination is guaifenesin with codeine.
== Effectiveness == The efficacy of cough medication is questionable, particularly in children.<ref>Medsafe cough and cold group {{cite web |url=http://www.medsafe.govt.nz/hot/alerts/CoughandCold/Minutes2CoughandCold.asp |title=Minutes of the Second Cough and Cold Review Group Meeting |access-date=27 November 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100525060232/http://www.medsafe.govt.nz/hot/alerts/CoughandCold/Minutes2CoughandCold.asp |archive-date=25 May 2010 }}</ref><ref name=Sp2018/> A 2014 Cochrane review concluded that "There is no good evidence for or against the effectiveness of OTC [over the counter] medicines in acute cough".<ref name=Cochrane2014>{{cite journal|last1=Smith|first1=SM|last2=Schroeder|first2=K|last3=Fahey|first3=T|title=Over-the-counter (OTC) medications for acute cough in children and adults in community settings.|journal=The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews|date=24 November 2014|volume=2014|issue=11|article-number=CD001831|pmid=25420096|doi=10.1002/14651858.CD001831.pub5|pmc=7061814}}</ref> Some cough medicines may be no more effective than placebos for acute coughs in adults, including coughs related to upper respiratory tract infections.<ref>{{Cite journal|author1=Knut Schroeder |author2=Tom Fahey |title=Systematic review of randomised controlled trials of over the counter cough medicines for acute cough in adults |journal=British Medical Journal |year=2002 |volume=324 |pages=329–331 |url=http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/324/7333/329 | pmid=11834560 |doi=10.1136/bmj.324.7333.329 |issue=7333 |pmc=65295}}</ref> The American College of Chest Physicians emphasizes that cough medicines are not designed to treat whooping cough, a cough that is caused by bacteria and can last for months.<ref>{{cite press release|publisher = American College of Chest Physicians|date = 9 January 2006|title = New Cough Guidelines Urge Adult Whooping Cough Vaccine; Many OTC Medications Not Recommended for Cough Treatment|url = http://www.chestnet.org/about/press/releases/2006/010906a.php|access-date = 4 February 2006|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060208195024/http://www.chestnet.org/about/press/releases/2006/010906a.php|archive-date = 8 February 2006}}</ref> No over-the-counter cough medicines have been found to be effective in cases of pneumonia.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Chang|first1=CC|last2=Cheng|first2=AC|last3=Chang|first3=AB|title=Over-the-counter (OTC) medications to reduce cough as an adjunct to antibiotics for acute pneumonia in children and adults.|journal=The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews|date=10 March 2014|volume=2014|issue=3|article-number=CD006088|pmid=24615334|doi=10.1002/14651858.CD006088.pub4|doi-access=free|pmc=11023600}}</ref> They are not recommended in those who have COPD, chronic bronchitis, or the common cold.<ref name=GOLD2013Chp3>{{cite book |last=Vestbo |first=Jørgen |title=Global Strategy for the Diagnosis, Management, and Prevention of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease |year=2013 |publisher=Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease |pages=19–30 |chapter=Therapeutic Options |chapter-url=http://www.goldcopd.org/uploads/users/files/GOLD_Report_2013_Feb20.pdf#36 |access-date=4 December 2013 |archive-date=4 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004234113/http://www.goldcopd.org/uploads/users/files/GOLD_Report_2013_Feb20.pdf#36 }}</ref><ref name=Mal2017/> There is not enough evidence to make recommendations for those who have a cough in cancer.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Molassiotis|first=A|author2=Bailey, C |author3=Caress, A |author4=Brunton, L |author5= Smith, J |editor1-first=Alex|editor1-last=Molassiotis|title=Interventions for cough in cancer.|journal=The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews|date=8 September 2010|issue=9|article-number=CD007881|pmid=20824870|doi=10.1002/14651858.CD007881.pub2}}</ref>
===Medications=== * Dextromethorphan (DXM) may be modestly effective in decreasing cough in adults with viral upper respiratory infections. However, in children, it has not been found to be effective.<ref name="pmid19874728">{{Cite journal|vauthors=Dealleaume L, Tweed B, Neher JO |title=Do OTC remedies relieve cough in acute upper respiratory infections? |journal=J Fam Pract |volume=58 |issue=10 |pages=559a–c |date=October 2009 |pmid=19874728 }}</ref> * Codeine was once viewed as the "gold standard" in cough suppressants, but this position is now questioned.<ref>{{cite book|last=ed|first=Kian Fan Chung ...|title=Pharmacology and therapeutics of cough|year=2008|publisher=Springer|location=Berlin|isbn=978-3-540-79842-2|page=248|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Z4kXCSRq0OAC&pg=PA248}}</ref> Some placebo-controlled trials have found that it is ineffective against some forms of cough, including acute cough in children.<ref>{{Cite journal|vauthors=Bolser DC, Davenport PW |title=Codeine and cough: an ineffective gold standard |journal=Current Opinion in Allergy and Clinical Immunology |volume=7 |issue=1 |pages=32–6 |date=February 2007 |pmid=17218808 |pmc=2921574 |doi=10.1097/ACI.0b013e3280115145 }}</ref><ref name="CFP10" /> It is thus not recommended for children.<ref name="CFP10">{{cite journal|last=Goldman|first=RD|title=Codeine for acute cough in children|journal=Canadian Family Physician|date=Dec 2010|volume=56|issue=12|pages=1293–4|pmid=21156892|pmc=3001921}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release|title=FDA acts to protect kids from serious risks of opioid ingredients contained in some prescription cough and cold products by revising labeling to limit pediatric use|url=https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-acts-protect-kids-serious-risks-opioid-ingredients-contained-some-prescription-cough-and-cold|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190902074421/https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-acts-protect-kids-serious-risks-opioid-ingredients-contained-some-prescription-cough-and-cold|archive-date=2 September 2019|website=U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)|access-date=2 February 2018}}</ref> Additionally, there is no evidence that hydrocodone is useful in children.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Paul|first=IM|title=Therapeutic options for acute cough due to upper respiratory infections in children.|journal=Lung|date=Feb 2012|volume=190|issue=1|pages=41–4|pmid=21892785|doi=10.1007/s00408-011-9319-y|s2cid=23865647}}</ref> Similarly, a 2012 Dutch guideline does not recommend its use to treat acute cough.<ref name="Dutch2012">{{cite journal|last1=Verlee|first1=L|last2=Verheij|first2=TJ|last3=Hopstaken|first3=RM|last4=Prins|first4=JM|last5=Salomé|first5=PL|last6=Bindels|first6=PJ|title=[Summary of NHG practice guideline 'Acute cough'].|journal=Nederlands Tijdschrift voor Geneeskunde|date=2012|volume=156|pages=A4188|pmid=22917039}}</ref>
A number of other commercially available cough treatments have not been shown to be effective in viral upper respiratory infections. These include for adults: antihistamines, antihistamine-decongestant combinations, benzonatate, anti asthmatic-expectorant-mucolytic combinations, expectorant-bronchodilator combinations, leukotriene inhibitors, ambroxol, and guaifenesin, sometimes with analgesics, antipyretics, anti inflammatories, and anticholinergics; and for children: antihistamines, decongestants for clearing the nose, or combinations of these and leukotriene inhibitors for allergy and asthma.<ref name="pmid19874728" />{{failed verification|reason|This source, a journal Q&A entry, summarises studies on dextromethorphan, guaifenesin, antihistamines, antihistamine-decongestant combinations, codeine, zinc throat lozenges, and honey; it then speculates on the reasons why placebos might work. Note that it also only addresses OTC remedies.|date=August 2019}} However, antihistamines cannot be used as an empirical therapy in case of chronic, or non-specific cough, especially in very young children.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Chang|first1=AB|last2=Peake|first2=J|last3=McElrea|first3=MS|title=Anti-histamines for prolonged non-specific cough in children.|journal=The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews|date=16 April 2008|volume=2010|issue=2|article-number=CD005604|doi=10.1002/14651858.CD005604.pub3|pmid=18425925|pmc=8896440|url=https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:192262/UQ192262_OA.pdf}}</ref> Long term diphenhydramine use is associated with negative outcomes in older people.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Ruxton|first1=K|last2=Woodman|first2=RJ|last3=Mangoni|first3=AA|title=Drugs with anticholinergic effects and cognitive impairment, falls and all-cause mortality in older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis.|journal=British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology|date=August 2015|volume=80|issue=2|pages=209–20|pmid=25735839|doi=10.1111/bcp.12617|pmc=4541969}}</ref>
===Alternative medicine=== A small study found honey may be a minimally effective cough treatment due to "well-established antioxidant and antimicrobial effects" and a tendency to soothe irritated tissue.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071203164750.htm |title=Honey A Better Option For Childhood Cough Than Over The Counter Medications |access-date=27 November 2009 |date=4 December 2007 }}</ref> A Cochrane review found there was weak evidence to recommend for or against the use of honey in children as a cough remedy.<ref name=Od2018>{{cite journal |last1=Oduwole |first1=O |last2=Udoh|first2=EE|last3=Oyo-Ita|first3=A|last4=Meremikwu|first4=MM|title=Honey for acute cough in children.|journal=The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews|date=10 April 2018 |volume=4 |issue=12 |article-number=CD007094 |doi=10.1002/14651858.CD007094.pub5 |pmid=29633783 |pmc=6513626}}</ref> In light of these findings, the Cochrane study found honey was better than no treatment, placebo, or diphenhydramine but not better than dextromethorphan for relieving cough symptoms.<ref name=Od2018/> Honey's use as a cough treatment has been linked on several occasions to infantile botulism and accordingly should not be used in children less than one year old.<ref name="ap01">{{Cite journal |last1=Sung |first1=Valerie |last2=Cranswick |first2=Noel |date=October 2009 |title=Cough and cold remedies for children |url=http://www.australianprescriber.com/magazine/32/5/122/4/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130117135152/http://www.australianprescriber.com/magazine/32/5/122/4/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=17 January 2013 |journal=Australian Prescriber |volume=32 |issue=5 |pages=122–4 |doi=10.18773/austprescr.2009.060 |doi-access=free |access-date=27 August 2010}}</ref>
Many alternative treatments are used to treat the common cold, though data on effectiveness is generally limited. A 2007 review states that, "alternative therapies (i.e., Echinacea, vitamin C, and zinc) are not recommended for treating common cold symptoms; however, Vitamin C prophylaxis may modestly reduce the duration and severity of the common cold in the general population and may reduce the incidence of the illness in persons exposed to physical and environmental stresses."<ref>{{Cite journal|vauthors=Simasek M, Blandino DA |title=Treatment of the common cold |journal=Am Fam Physician |volume=75 |issue=4 |pages=515–20 |date=February 2007 |pmid=17323712 }}</ref> A 2014 review also found insufficient evidence for Echinacea, where no clinical relevance was proven to provide benefit for treating the common cold, despite a weak benefit for positive trends.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Karsch-Völk|first1=M|last2=Barrett|first2=B|last3=Kiefer|first3=D|last4=Bauer|first4=R|last5=Ardjomand-Woelkart|first5=K|last6=Linde|first6=K|title=Echinacea for preventing and treating the common cold.|journal=The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews|date=20 February 2014|volume=2|issue=2|article-number=CD000530|pmid=24554461|doi=10.1002/14651858.CD000530.pub3|pmc=4068831}}</ref> Similarly, a 2014 systematic review showed that garlic may prevent occurrences of the common cold but there was insufficient evidence of garlic in treating the common cold and studies reported adverse effects of a rash and odour.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Lissiman |first1=Elizabeth |last2=Bhasale |first2=Alice L. |last3=Cohen |first3=Marc |editor-first1=Elizabeth |editor-last1=Lissiman |date=14 March 2012 |title=Garlic for the common cold |journal=The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews |issue=3 |article-number=CD006206 |doi=10.1002/14651858.CD006206.pub3 |issn=1469-493X |pmid=22419312}}</ref> Therefore, more research needs to be done to prove that the benefits outweigh the harms.
Evidence supporting the effectiveness of zinc is mixed with respect to cough.<ref name="pmid19874728" /> A 2003 review concluded: "Clinical trial data support the value of zinc in reducing the duration and severity of symptoms of the common cold when administered within 24 hours of the onset of common cold symptoms."<ref>{{Cite journal|author=Hulisz D |title=Efficacy of zinc against common cold viruses: an overview |journal=J Am Pharm Assoc (2003) |volume=44 |issue=5 |pages=594–603 |year=2004 |pmid=15496046 |doi= 10.1331/1544-3191.44.5.594.Hulisz|pmc=7185598 }}</ref> Zinc gel in the nose may lead to long-term or permanent loss of smell. The FDA therefore discourages its use.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm166996.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090619081252/http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm166996.htm |archive-date=19 June 2009 |title=Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Products (Cold Remedy Nasal Gel, Cold Remedy Nasal Swabs, and Cold Remedy Swabs, Kids Size) |website=U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) }}</ref>
===Recreational usage=== {{main|Lean (drug)}} Cough medicines, especially those containing dextromethorphan and codeine, are often abused as recreational drugs.<ref>{{Cite journal|title = Abuse of Medications That Theoretically Are Without Abuse Potential|journal = Southern Medical Journal|date = Mar 2015|issn = 1541-8243|pmid = 25772048|pages = 151–157|volume = 108|issue = 3|doi = 10.14423/SMJ.0000000000000256|first1 = Roy R.|last1 = Reeves|first2 = Mark E.|last2 = Ladner|first3 = Candace L.|last3 = Perry|first4 = Randy S.|last4 = Burke|first5 = Janet T.|last5 = Laizer|s2cid = 42989013}}</ref><ref name=NIH2014/> Abuse may result in hallucinations, loss of consciousness and death. Many cough syrups can contain acetaminophen which will cause liver damage in recreational users.<ref name=NIH2014>{{cite web|title=Cough and Cold Medicine Abuse|url=https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/cough-cold-medicine-abuse|website=National Institute on Drug Abuse|access-date=19 April 2016|date=May 2014}}</ref>
==Adverse effects== A number of accidental overdoses and well-documented adverse effects suggested caution in children.<ref name="ap01"/> The FDA in 2015 warned that the use of codeine-containing cough medication in children may cause breathing problems.<ref>{{cite web|title=Codeine Cough-and-Cold Medicines in Children: Drug Safety Communication - FDA Evaluating Potential Risk of Serious Side Effects|url=https://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm453379.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150703121341/http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm453379.htm|archive-date=3 July 2015|access-date=2 July 2015|date=1 July 2015|website=U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)}}</ref> Cold syrup overdose has been linked to visual and auditory hallucinations as well as rapid involuntary jaw, tongue, and eye movements in children.{{medcn|date=February 2020}}
Decongestants are possibly harmful to people with high blood pressure or a heart disease because these substances can constrict the blood vessels.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.heart.org/en/news/2019/01/18/taking-medicine-for-a-cold-be-mindful-of-your-heart |title=Taking medicine for a cold? Be mindful of your heart. |website=www.heart.org |date=18 January 2019 |access-date=10 December 2022}}</ref>
== History == Heroin was originally marketed as a cough suppressant in 1898.<ref>{{Cite book|title = Taking the Medicine: A Short History of Medicine's Beautiful Idea, and Our Difficulty Swallowing It|last = Burch|first = Druin|publisher = Random House|year = 2009|isbn = 978-1-4070-2122-5|page = 118}}</ref> It was, at the time, believed to be a non-addictive alternative to other opiate-containing cough syrups. This was quickly realized not to be true as heroin readily breaks down into morphine in the body. Morphine was already known to be addictive.{{citation needed|date=August 2022}}
==Society and culture==
===Brands=== Some brand names include: Benylin, Sudafed, Robitussin and Vicks among others.<ref>{{cite web|title=Children's cough and cold medicines – Lists of products|url=http://www.mhra.gov.uk/home/groups/comms-po/documents/websiteresources/con038907.pdf|work=Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency|access-date=18 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219062214/http://www.mhra.gov.uk/home/groups/comms-po/documents/websiteresources/con038907.pdf|archive-date=19 December 2013}}</ref> Most contain a number of active ingredients.<ref name=CFP2009/>
There are a number of throat lozenge brands. The Thai company Hatakabb produces the Takabb Anti-Cough Pill, which is a Chinese herbal medication.<ref name="Khingkongsin2007-10-10">{{cite news |last=Khingkongsin |first=Jindawan จินดาวรรณ สิ่งคงสิน |date=10 October 2007 |title=ซิมเทียนฮ้อ "ห้าตะขาบ" ตำนาน 72 ปี จากบางคล้าโกอินเตอร์ |trans-title=Sim Thian Ho "Five Centipedes" 72 year old legend from Bang Khla Go Inter |language=th |url=https://mgronline.com/live/detail/9500000120138 |newspaper=Manager Daily |access-date=24 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240124081950/https://mgronline.com/live/detail/9500000120138 |archive-date=24 January 2024 }}</ref>
Sudafed is a brand owned by Kenvue.<ref>[https://www.kenvue.com/brands "Our brands"]. Kenvue.com. Retrieved October 19, 2025.</ref> Sudafed markets a variety of nasal decongestant products with different active ingredients in different countries. The original formulation contains the active ingredient pseudoephedrine. Other Sudafed-branded products contain phenylephrine,<ref>Perrone, Matthew. [https://apnews.com/article/sudafed-decongestants-phenylephrine-fda-cold-medicines-a326c503685c0f4e6bae70eb16579798 "FDA Says Decongestant in Many Cold Medicines Doesn’t Work. So What Does?"] Associated Press. Retrieved October 19, 2025.</ref><ref name=SudafedUK>[https://www.sudafed.co.uk/products Prouducts]. Sudafed.co.uk. Rerieved October 19, 2025.</ref><ref name=SudafedAU>[https://www.kenvuebrands.com/au/sudafed Sudafed (Australia)]. Retrieved October 19, 2025.</ref> oxymetazoline,<ref name=SudafedAU /><ref>[https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=1d089074-3969-ce6e-e063-6294a90aa70c SUDAFED OM Sinus Sever Original – Product information]. DailyMed. Retrieved October 19, 2025.</ref> xylometazoline,<ref name=SudafedUK /> antihistamines, pain relievers, and other active ingredients. Product names and formulations vary by country. Restrictions on the sale of pseudoephedrine in the many countries has led to changes in which products are available over the counter without authorization from a pharmacist or prescriber. In 2016, Sudafed was one of the biggest selling branded over-the-counter medications sold in Great Britain, with sales of £34.4 million.<ref>{{cite news|title=A breakdown of the over-the-counter medicines market in Britain in 2016|url=http://www.pharmaceutical-journal.com/20202662.article?amp;utm_medium=email&|access-date=29 May 2017|publisher=Pharmaceutical Journal|date=28 April 2017|archive-date=8 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170908213934/http://www.pharmaceutical-journal.com/20202662.article?amp%3Butm_medium=email&}}</ref>
Gee's Linctus is a cough medicine which contains opium tincture.<ref>{{cite web |title=Proposal for reclassification of cough medicines containing dextromethorphan, opium tincture, squill oxymel and pholcodine to restricted medicines |url=https://medsafe.govt.nz/profs/class/Agendas/Agen61/62Dextromethorphan.pdf |access-date=26 May 2019}}</ref> New Zealand in 2019 moved it to prescription only.<ref>{{cite web |title=Some commonly used cough medicines now need a prescription |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/383807/some-commonly-used-cough-medicines-now-need-a-prescription |website=RNZ |access-date=26 May 2019 |date=3 March 2019}}</ref>
Coricidin, Coricidin D, or Coricidin HBP, is the brand name of a combination of dextromethorphan and chlorpheniramine maleate (an antihistamine).{{citation needed|date=April 2019}} Varieties may also contain acetaminophen and guaifenesin.{{citation needed|date=December 2019}}
Codral is a brand name manufactured by Johnson & Johnson and sold primarily in Australia and New Zealand. Codral is the highest-selling cold and flu medication in Australia.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jnjaust.com.au/products/codral/pages/home.aspx|title=Johnson & Johnson - Codral|date=30 May 2008|publisher=Johnson & Johnson|access-date=25 February 2009|archive-date=7 November 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081107032842/http://www.jnjaust.com.au/products/codral/pages/home.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref> {{Further|Mollipect}}
===Economics=== In the United States, several billion dollars are spent on over-the-counter products per year.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Chung |first=Kian Fan |year=2008 |title=Pharmacology and therapeutics of cough |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Z4kXCSRq0OAC&pg=PA188 |location=Berlin |publisher=Springer |page=188 |isbn=978-3-540-79842-2}}</ref>
===Poisoning=== {{Main|Toxic cough syrup}}
According to ''The New York Times'', at least eight mass poisonings have occurred as a result of counterfeit cough syrup in which medical-grade glycerin has been replaced with diethylene glycol, an inexpensive, yet toxic, glycerin substitute marketed for industrial use. In May 2007, 365 deaths were reported in Panama, which were associated with cough syrup containing diethylene glycol.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Bogdanich |first1=Walt |last2=Hooker |first2=Jake |date=6 May 2007 |title=From China to Panama, a Trail of Poisoned Medicine |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/06/world/06poison.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=30 April 2010}}</ref> In 2022, the deaths of 66 children in The Gambia were linked to four pediatric cough syrup medications that contained diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Medical Product Alert N°6/2022: Substandard (contaminated) paediatric medicines |url=https://www.who.int/news/item/05-10-2022-medical-product-alert-n-6-2022-substandard-(contaminated)-paediatric-medicines |access-date=9 October 2022 |website=www.who.int |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=6 October 2022 |title=WHO alert over India-made cough syrups after deaths in The Gambia |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-63150950 |access-date=9 October 2022}}</ref>
In 2022, the US Food and Drug Administration issued a warning against cooking foods in cough syrup after a video of someone preparing "NyQuil chicken", sometimes also called "sleepy chicken", became popular on social media. Cough syrup is designed to be stored at room temperature and its properties can change when it is heated, making it potentially deadly. Heated cough syrup can also vaporize, leading to inhalation hazards.<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 September 2022 |title=A Recipe for Danger: Social Media Challenges Involving Medicines |url=https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/recipe-danger-social-media-challenges-involving-medicines |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220915152720/https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/recipe-danger-social-media-challenges-involving-medicines |archive-date=15 September 2022 |access-date=1 October 2023 |publisher=U.S. Food and Drug Administration}}</ref><ref name="chicken">{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/nyquil-chicken-fda-warning/|title=Don't cook your chicken in NyQuil: FDA issues warning against social media challenge|website=CBS News |date=20 September 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=21 September 2022 |title=Experts warn against 'sleepy chicken' cooking trend: 'It will kill you' |url=https://7news.com.au/lifestyle/experts-warn-against-new-sleepy-chicken-cooking-trend-it-will-kill-you-c-8310238 |access-date=17 April 2023 |website=7NEWS |language=en}}</ref> The warning received attention from many news outlets, but some criticized the FDA's handling of the issue for amplifying the attention the topic received online and questioned if making and eating NyQuil chicken actually existed as a widespread trend.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Anguiano |first=Dani |date=23 September 2022 |title=Interest in dangerous 'NyQuil chicken' videos surged after US agency warning |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/sep/23/fda-nyquil-chicken-video-tiktok-trends-media |access-date=1 October 2023 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Leighton |first=Mara |title=TikTok's interest in 'NyQuil chicken' increased 1,400% following the FDA's warning about the dangerous trend |url=https://www.insider.com/nyquil-chicken-trend-increased-interest-following-fda-warning-2022-9 |access-date=1 October 2023 |website=Insider |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Schulz |first=Bailey |title=Were people actually eating NyQuil chicken? Viral challenge was the latest internet lore |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2022/09/29/cooking-nyquil-chicken-challenge-hoax-fda-warnings/10444293002/ |access-date=1 October 2023 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{Major drug groups}} {{Cough and cold preparations}} {{Portal bar | Medicine}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cough Medicine}} * Category:Common cold Theraflu Theraflu Robitussin Robitussin Category:Over-the-counter drugs in the United States