HOW DO ANTITUSSIVES WORK?
Antitussives are prescription or over-the-counter drugs used for suppressing cough.
Antitussives act on the cough center in the brain and decrease the sensitivity of cough receptors. When the cough receptors in the respiratory passages and lungs are stimulated, they send signals to the cough center located in the brain. The impulse generated travels down and stimulates the respiratory muscles to produce a cough.
Antitussives relieve cough by:
- Acting on the cough center in the brain
- Decreasing the sensitivity of cough receptors
- Interrupting cough impulse transmission
- Numbing the cough receptors in the respiratory passages and lungs
HOW ARE ANTITUSSIVES USED?
Antitussives are prescription or over-the-counter drugs used for suppressing cough.
WHAT ARE SIDE EFFECTS OF ANTITUSSIVES?
Some of the side effects of antitussives include:
- Chest numbness
- Chilly sensation
- Constipation
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Gastrointestinal upset
- Hallucinations
- Headache
- Nasal congestion
- Nausea
- Itching
- Sedation
- Skin eruptions
- Vomiting
- Nervousness
The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible side effects, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. Check with your doctor or pharmacist to make sure these drugs do not cause any harm when you take them along with other medicines. Never stop taking your medication and never change your dose or frequency without consulting your doctor.
WHAT ARE NAMES OF ANTITUSSIVES?
Generic and brand names of antitussives include:
- Balminil DM
- Benylin DM
- Benzonatate
- Bronchophan
- Buckleys DM
- Calmylin #1
- Children's Robitussin Cough Long-Acting
- Codeine
- Delsym
- Dextromethorphan
- Koffex DM
- Novahistex DM
- Robitussin Lingering Cold Long-Acting Cough
- Robitussin Lingering Cold Long-Acting CoughGels
- Sucrets 8 Hour Cough Relief DM Cough Formula
- Tessalon
- Tessalon Perles
- Zonatuss
