DOCTOR’S ADVICE: DO COUGH MEDICINES WORK?

When a cough strikes, it can be hard to know whether to wait it out naturally or reach for medicinal remedies. We’ve spoken to Dr. Sarah Jarvis, a GP with over 30 years of experience, for expert cough advice to answer all your burning cough and cold questions!

Note: Dr. Sarah Jarvis does not endorse any medical brands or products.

Wondering whether to push through your symptoms or try a cough remedy? In this guide, Dr. Jarvis explains how different cough medicines work, outlining how they can soothe symptoms and which to choose depending on your cough.

 

 

SHOULD YOU TREAT A COUGH OR LET IT RUN ITS COURSE?

Debating whether to fight your cough head-on with a medicine or let nature take its course? 

Many people wonder whether cough medicines are effective in reducing discomfort, however, the right cough syrup can help relieve symptoms of coughing and sore throats, making a huge difference to how you feel while you’re waiting for your body’s immune system to fight off the infection. A cough syrup won’t cure the underlying cause, only time or antibiotics for a bacterial infection will do that, but can help you cough less, reducing unnecessary suffering. 

HOW DO COUGH MEDICINES WORK?

Cough medicines can help ease sore throats, reduce irritation and encourage better sleep quality. Each cough medicine works in different ways, therefore, understanding what type of cough you have is key to choosing the most effective relief.

WHAT COUGH REMEDY DO I NEED? 

FOR A DRY, TICKLY COUGH 

A dry cough is caused by inflammation in your upper airways. This makes you cough even though there’s no mucus blocking your airways. To relieve the symptoms, dry cough medicine contains a demulcent. Demulcents create a barrier over irritated tissues, while reducing friction and sensitivity.

 

Products like Covonia Dry & Tickly Cough Linctus and Covonia Dry Cough Sugar-Free Formula help to eliminate your dry or tickly cough. It contains glycerol, which coats the throat to soothe and help relax it, leading to reduced coughing.

Read further advice for your dry and tickly cough.

 

FOR A CHESTY COUGH

Chesty coughs are caused by congestion in your upper airways from the mucus your body is producing. To combat this, chesty cough syrups contain an expectorant.

Expectorants thin and loosen the phlegm, making it easier to cough up comfortably, reducing congestion.

Choose remedies with menthol or expectorants, like the Covonia Chesty Cough Mixture Mentholated or Mucus Cough Oral Solution, for relief.

Read further advice for your chesty cough.

 

HOW TO KNOW IF YOU NEED TO USE COUGH MEDICINE

Not everyone requires the help of cough medicine, but even mild coughs can cause a huge disruption in your day-to-day life, putting activities on pause. To know whether you’d benefit from introducing a cough syrup, see if any of the following apply:

• Your cough is painful or making you uncomfortable

• Your cough is irritating you or others around you, such as your partner or family

• Your cough is disturbing yours or your partners sleep

• You are struggling to continue with normal daily activities such as work, chores or finding it difficult to get out of bed 

If you’re unsure what type of cough you have or are looking for more information on coughs, colds and flu, visit our Articles and Advice Hub. Dr. Sarah Jarvis also discusses the different types of coughs in more detail, helping you identify which one you have.

 

OTHER COUGH PRODUCTS

Cough syrups aren't the only way to help relieve your cough, other products also help deal with irritable symptoms.

COUGH DROPS AND LOZENGES 

Cough drops and lozenges are a handy, on the go solution that helps with:

• Sore throats

• Irritation

• Infection

Covonia Double-impact Cough Drops provide a warming sensation, using menthol to ease sore throats and calm coughs. Covonia Sore Throat and Cough Lozenges contain antiseptic to reduce the bacteria that cause inflammation, while including pain relief caused by excessive coughing. Covonia Vapour Drops help ease nasal congestion caused by mucus-build up, which can help chesty coughs.  

BALSAMS

Covonia Original Bronchial Balsam works to tackle dry coughs caused by colds and bronchitis. It contains Dextromethorphan Hydrobromide, which reduces the sensation to cough.

HERBAL RELIEF

Covonia Catarrh Relief Formula uses traditional herbal ingredients such as Burdock root and Hyssop herbs to relieve the symptoms of nasal and throat catarrh.

Check out our full list of products online. Release the bull within and get ready to Feel the Power with Covonia.

Got a question? Take a look at our frequently asked questions page for answers to the most common queries. You can also contact us for further advice or information on our products.