The Top 5 Cough Medicines
When you're sick, there's nothing worse than coughing so hard your stomach feels sick. Whether you're coughing because you caught the flu, have allergies, an infection, or something else, it's always an unpleasant experience that can shake your whole body and ruin your day. It's great to have cough medicine on hand for an unexpected bad day happens. We reviewed 20 cough medicines and picked the top 5 you need to have in your medicine cabinet.
Mucinex DM Expectorant & Cough Suppressant
This pill provides powerful 12-hour relief from coughing and chest congestion
When you don’t have any time to mess around with cough medicines that need to be taken every four hours, this Mucinex formula works well for 12 hours per pill. This one did the best job of making me cough less and also making my chest feel less heavy by breaking up the mucus.
This is recommended for children ages 12 and up and adults.
Pros:
- Works right away and lasts 12 hours
- Thins mucus so you can get rid of it
- Only needs to be taken twice a day to keep working
- Guaifenesin ingredient helps reduce chest congestion and Dextromethorphan HBr stops coughing
- Can be taken with or without food
- Doesn’t affect sleep
Cons:
- Some reviewers reported feeling dizzy after taking this formula
Buckley’s Original Cough Congestion Syrup
Take a more natural approach to killing your cough
I ordered this cough medicine because I was curious – this Canadian brand advertises that it tastes awful but works. Well, they are totally right. I suggest mixing this medicine with honey or something sweet to help the cause because it tastes terrible. Be sure to have something to “chase” it with, like water.
This syrup is actually a blend of menthol, camphor, potassium bicarbonate, and ammonium carbonate – meaning it leans on the benefits of these ingredients rather than traditional medicine. This is recommended for kids 12 and up as well as adults.
Pros:
- Works well on minor coughs
- Helped soothe my throat after coughing so much on a day where I was particularly sick
- Can be added to tea to be easier to drink
Cons:
- Must be taken every 2-3 hours
- Tastes terrible
Vicks NyQuil and DayQuil SEVERE Cough, Cold, & Flu
Twin pack is good for using day and night while you battle a cough
If you’re fighting an intense cough, this combo pack from Vicks will be your best friend. It’s recommended to take every 4 hours, and the nighttime NyQuil formula will help you sleep even through coughing.
I had trouble falling asleep while coughing constantly, but the NyQuil put me to sleep in about 30 minutes and for that I am thankful. This dynamic duo is very helpful to have when you are having cold and cough symptoms.
Pros:
- Daytime and nighttime formulas included
- Contains ingredients to help loosen phlegm
- Acts as a nasal decongestant
- Thorough medicine to stop severe coughs in their tracks
- Can be used by children 4 and up
- Citrus blend formula in DayQuil is tolerable
Cons:
- Must be taken every 4 hours
- NyQuil formula does not taste good
Mucinex Fast-Max Day& Night Time Cold & Flu Medicine
1 dose treats 9 symptoms that are making you miserable
Similar to our #3 pick, this is a day/night combo pack of cough medicine. This one is the most efficient because it claims to treat symptoms like cough, fever, sore throat, headache, body pain, nasal congestion, and more. I did notice that I felt significantly less congested after taking this medicine but it will of course depend on your symptoms.
Towards the end of my cough, I developed a runny nose and was happy to see this nighttime medicine took care of it so I didn’t sniffle all night. It’s nice to have so many different things treated without having to take separate medications and worry that they might interact poorly with each other.
Pros:
- Treats 9 common cold symptoms in one bottle
- Includes day/night formulas
Cons:
- Must be taken every 4 hours
- Cannot be used by kids under 12 years old
Creomulsion Adult Cough Medicine
Helps soothe coughs and sore throats with its special formula
This formula can only be taken by adults. According to the manufacturer, it contains a chemical called dextromethorphan which calms the cough control center in your brain. This happens by coating and soothing raw, irritated membranes.
I felt like this medicine was the best at calming my cough down, and while it does not make you tired it will help you sleep because you won’t be constantly interrupted by coughing.
Pros:
- No artificial flavors or alcohol
- Effective in suppressing coughs
- Does not cause drowsiness
- Some reviewers noted that people with codeine allergies can have this medicine
Cons:
- Not recommended for children under age 12
- Smells and tastes like cough medicine
Frequently Asked Questions
What symptoms does cough medicine usually treat?
Some common symptoms that are treated are:
- Coughing
- Congestion (head, nasal, and chest)
- Mucus in the lungs
- Runny noses
- Sneezing
- Fevers
- Headaches/body aches
This will vary by ingredients, so be sure to read the label.
Besides taking cough medicine, how can I treat a cough?
To feel better faster be sure you drink lots of fluid and plenty of rest. Be sure to talk to your doctor about what’s right for you.
