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Do Common Cough Medicines Really Work? 

The so-called best cough medicines you’ll find at the drugstore claim to make you feel better thanks to common cough medicine ingredients like Dextromethorphan, often referred to as DM or DXM, expectorants, and antihistamines. These drugs are designed to block the cough reflex, thin mucus and reduce inflammation in the nose and throat. Despite these claims, studies show that there is no evidence that over-the-counter cold and flu medicines actually suppress or stop coughing when compared to placebo. Even worse, the harsh chemicals found in these cough medicines may actually cause harmful side effects like dry mouth, grogginess and jitteriness as well as contraindications. Even the ingredients designed to help you feel better simply mask your symptoms while contributing to an accumulation of toxins in the system.

Cough Medicine Myths 

Before deciding if medication is right for you, we’ve rounded up some of the most common myths and misconceptions around cough medicine. 

• MYTH: Cough medications containing DXM, expectorants or antihistamines help cure coughs and colds. As stated above, studies show that cough medications only mask symptoms, distracting you with side effects like sleepiness until your body recovers. When compared to placebo, these drugs did not actually make people feel better.
• MYTH: Antibiotics cure coughs associated with the common cold. Antibiotics are only useful when treating bacterial infection while most colds and coughs are caused by viruses. 
• MYTH: Codeine, a powerful narcotic, is an effective drug to suppress coughing. Doctors commonly prescribe the narcotic codeine to reduce cough in patients with upper respiratory tract infections, but studies show that codeine is actually ineffective at relieving coughing. Codeine has also been shown to cause gastrointestinal upset, making matters worse. Even more seriously, codeine is a controlled substance associated with a high risk for addiction and dependence. It can cause respiratory distress and even death when taken in high doses or when combined with other substances, especially alcohol.