Across the Channel, doctors have long ruled that “The medical evidence for cough medicines is weak and there is no evidence that they will reduce the duration of illnesses”. According to the union of British general practitioners, the good old remedies of grandmother based on honey and lemon juice would be just as effective and less expensive.
An opinion widely shared by the journal 60 million consumers who has just reviewed the composition of 37 medicines against dry cough and fatty cough and who finds that “Overall, their efficacy remains modest, and only a minority can be recommended. The others are of no interest or present an unfavorable benefit / risk ratio”.
Against a fatty cough: forget about the drugs
We know that it is essential to respect a productive cough (called a fatty cough) because it allows the evacuation of secretions. And some syrups are said to be expectorants or thinners, to help with this evacuation. Forget them right away: among the 13 pharmaceutical specialties evaluated by the consumer magazine, not a single one “does not prove its effectiveness, with regard to its composition”.
Against dry cough: 3 drugs should be withdrawn
Acute cough is most often due to a viral infection of the respiratory tract (nasopharyngitis, acute laryngitis, acute bronchitis). This cough usually stops in 10 to 15 days without cough suppressants or antibiotics.
But to relieve it and often in the hope of a not too bad night, we often fall back on a syrup or antitussive tablets. However, the review does not recommend them because, at best, their effectiveness is very modest, and at worst, they should be withdrawn from the market.
This is the case of Neo-codion tablets and Rhinatiol syrup “which contain active ingredients with contradictory action” and Thiopectol syrup, the alcohol level of which is too high.
Cough: how to treat yourself
Eat grapefruits: this citrus fruit considered by Chinese medicine as “the cough medicine” which dissolves phlegm and moistens the lung. Other acidic fruits recommended in case of cough: lychees and tomatoes.
Bite chocolate: a bar of dark chocolate contains enough theobromine to calm persistent coughs.
Wheezing cough, dry cough, or nighttime cough: make yourself a black wheat honey herbal tea or a homemade thyme syrup.
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