Although there is no robust evidence to support the use of cough products, customers may find them useful, and there are plenty of options available OTC. Products are available as cough linctuses or all-in-one cough and cold tablets. The following ingredients can be found in OTC cough products:

Cough suppressants such as dextromethorphan or pholcodine are thought to work by suppressing the cough reflex in the brain and are therefore most suited to dry or tickly coughs. OTC examples include Benylin Dry Coughs and Robitussin Dry Cough. 

Expectorants such as guaifenesin, ipecacuanha and squill help to loosen and clear mucus from the chest and are more suitable for chesty or productive coughs. OTC examples include Covonia Chesty Cough Mixture Mentholated and Veno’s Expectorant.

Demulcents such as glycerol coat and soothe the throat and stop a cough. OTC examples include glycerin, lemon and honey, and CalCough Children’s Soothing Syrup.

Antihistamines such as diphenhydramine suppress a cough. They may cause drowsiness, which can be useful for a night-time cough. OTC examples include Benylin Dry Coughs Night Syrup and Covonia Hot Dose Cough & Cold Syrup.

Decongestants such as pseudoephedrine or menthol may also be recommended as they clear associated congestion, blocked nose and sinus symptoms. OTC examples include Day Nurse Capsules and Galpseud Linctus.

Some cough medicines may be used for all acute coughs – whether they are dry, tickly or chesty. Examples include traditional herbal medicinal products (e.g. Bronchostop – containing thyme herb extract and marshmallow root extract) or the pharmacy-only product UniCough (containing diphenhydramine, ammonium chloride and levomenthol). This can be used for the relief of all common coughs associated with upper respiratory tract congestion and aids restful sleep.

Soothing ingredients such as glycerin, honey and lemon are useful for people who can’t use a cough suppressant for their dry, non-productive cough. These work by coating the back of the throat to create a soothing effect. They often have a high sugar content and may therefore not be suitable for people with diabetes.

Sucking on lozenges or pastilles may also be helpful to keep the throat lubricated.

The MHRA reviewed the use of OTC cough and cold medicines in 2009 and many of the ingredients are no longer recommended for children under six years old. Simple linctus paediatric or glycerol-based products may be used if necessary. For children aged six to 12 years, OTC cough and cold medicines containing these ingredients are available, but are only allowed to be sold in pharmacies, with clear advice, and treatment is restricted to five days or less. OTC liquid medicines that contain codeine should not be used for coughs in people under 18.