Chesty Coughs
When you have a chesty cough your lungs feel quite tight and full with mucus and phlegm. Some people describe this type of cough as wet, productive or phlegmy. Symptoms may be worse in the morning or after exercise. It is important to understand that coughing is the body's way of clearing mucus from the lungs, so trying to stop someone with a chesty cough from coughing is not the best way to treat it.
A cough is a symptom, not a disease, so there is always some underlying cause for the cough. A chesty cough which occurs as a result of a viral infection, such as a cold or sore throat, will not respond to antibiotics. The good news is that most coughs caused by a viral infection usually start to get better after about 5-10 days, although they may not go away completely for 2-3 weeks.
Bacterial infections, certain medical conditions (such as asthma or congestive heart failure), and smoking can also cause a chesty cough. You should always seek further advice from your pharmacist if you have a cough that seems to be getting worse or does not appear to be getting better.
Some chesty cough medicines contain ingredients that can help liquefy sticky mucus in the lungs, making it easier to cough out. Some of these medicines have not been proven to work in children, especially children aged less than 6 years, so always talk to your pharmacist if you are buying medicine for a child.
See Your Pharmacist or Medical Professional
If you have other medical conditions, take regular medication for any reason, or if you are buying a cough mixture for a child aged less than 12 years, always talk to a pharmacist. Also talk to a pharmacist if you:
Cough up blood, which may look like coffee granules
Cough up coloured mucus, especially frothy pink or dark green
Have a fever (temperature above 38°C)
Have a cough which has changed, such as from a dry cough to a chesty cough
Have other symptoms, such as chest pain, wheezing, difficulty breathing, a fever, weight loss, persistent headache, sore ears or a rash
Have a cough which occurs mainly at night
Are a smoker
Have a cough which has lasted more than five days, is getting worse, or isn't getting any better
Have a cough that recurs on a regular basis
Are pregnant or breastfeeding – some medicines may not be suitable
Have allergies to any medicines.
Treatment Tips
Keep warm, get lots of bed rest and drink plenty of clear fluids such as water, diluted non-sweetened fruit juice, hot honey and lemon drinks and clear soups. Liquids help to thin the mucus in the throat and lungs and make it easier to cough up
Gargle with plain water for one minute, three times a day – this can ease symptoms
Take one to two teaspoonfuls of honey to help soothe the throat and reduce coughing, but make sure the honey is from a reliable source and do not give to children aged less than 1 year
Have a hot steamy shower as the steam may help break down the mucus, making it easier to cough up
Take medicines such as paracetamol or ibuprofen to help relieve other symptoms such as pain or fever. Be aware that some combination cough and cold products may also contain these ingredients so make sure you are not doubling up.
Avoid spreading your cough to others:
Wash your hands or use a sanitising gel after you cough or sneeze, before preparing food, or tending to young children
Always cough into the crook of your elbow or cover your mouth with a tissue
Use tissues not handkerchiefs, and dispose of them carefully after a single use.
Treatment Options
Use of cough medicines in children
Most cough medicines contain ingredients which are not recommended for children aged less than 6 years. The only exception is bromhexine, an ingredient used to break up mucus in the throat, which may be used in children aged 2 years of age and older. Never exceed the maximum recommended dose on the product label. Ask your pharmacist for further advice.
Types of ingredients
Products to help treat chesty coughs usually contain either an expectorant or mucolytic, or both.
Expectorants (e.g., guaiphenesin) – help you cough up phlegm
Mucolytics (e.g., bromhexine) – help to break down thick, sticky mucus in the lungs, making it runnier and easier to cough out.
Many mixtures contain multiple ingredients that you may not necessarily need – talk to your pharmacist about which product is best for you.
Always discuss treatment options with your pharmacist to ensure the best outcome.
Expectorants +/- other ingredients
[GENERAL SALE]
e.g., Coldrex PE Cough, Cold and Flu (tablets), Lemsip Chesty Cough Liquid, Mucinex, Vicks Formula 44 for Chesty Coughs
[PHARMACY ONLY]
e.g., Benadryl Chesty Forte, Benadryl PE Chesty Cough and Nasal Congestion, Benadryl Mucus Relief Plus Decongestant, Duro-Tuss Chesty Cough Liquid Forte, Robitussin Chesty Cough Forte, Robitussin Chesty Cough & Nasal Congestion PE
Combination products are useful when you have more than one symptom.
These products may also contain:
A nasal decongestant, such as phenylephrine, to unblock your nose
An analgesic, such as paracetamol. Check you do not double up on other paracetamol-containing medicines.
Mucolytics +/- other ingredients
[PHARMACY ONLY]
e.g., Bisolvon Chesty Forte, Benadryl Chesty Forte, Duro-Tuss Chesty Cough Liquid - Regular (forte, and lozenges), Robitussin Chesty Cough Forte, Robitussin Mucus Relief Double Action
Combination products are useful when you have more than one symptom.
These products may also contain:
A nasal decongestant, such as phenylephrine, to unblock your nose
An analgesic, such as paracetamol. Check you do not double up on other paracetamol-containing medicines.
Products containing pseudoephedrine
[PRESCRIPTION ONLY – Controlled Drug]
Pseudoephedrine (a decongestant) is no longer available without a prescription.
Steam inhalations
[GENERAL SALE]
e.g., Eu-Clear Inhalant, Euky Bear, Vicks VapoRub
Place a small amount of the inhalation product in the bath or a bowl of hot water and breathe steam in
Useful for when chesty coughs occur with a congested nose
Steam helps break down mucus and also aids in coughing it up
Be careful not to burn yourself with hot water when using steam inhalations.
Products to support the body's immune system
e.g., camphor, echinacea, GO Vir-Defence, Herbal Chest Syrup, honey, Ivy leaf, Kaloba, Winter Wellness (Herbal elixir, Cof Ex, children's elixir, lozenges)
Can help the body's own immune defences fight winter ailments, ills and chills
Topical chest rubs containing camphor applied to the chest can help relieve a cough
A teaspoonful of honey at night can help relieve a night-time cough
Ivy leaf has expectorant properties and can help with normal lung function.
More Information
Availability of medicines
GENERAL SALE available through pharmacies and possibly other retail outlets.
PHARMACY ONLY available for sale through pharmacies only.
PHARMACIST ONLY may only be sold by a pharmacist.
PRESCRIPTION ONLY available only with a prescription from your doctor or other health professional.
PRESCRIPTION ONLY - Controlled Drug available only with a Controlled Drug Prescription from your doctor.
Consumer Medicine Information on some medicines is available at the government website www.medsafe.govt.nz
