Condition guide
Cough
Persistent cough keeping you up at night or disrupting your day? Find the right cough medicine - suppressant for dry cough or expectorant for chesty cough in under 2 minutes.
Find the right medicineTreatment and relief options
- Dry cough: Cough suppressants (dextromethorphan) to reduce cough reflex
- Chesty/productive cough: Expectorants (guaifenesin) to thin mucus; avoid suppressants
- Honey and warm fluids for natural soothing relief
- Stay hydrated to help thin mucus
- Avoid irritants like smoke and strong perfumes
When to get help
- Coughing up blood or pink/frothy mucus
- Severe shortness of breath or wheezing (can't speak without gasping): call Triple Zero (000)
- Cough lasting more than 3 weeks
- High fever with productive cough (pneumonia risk)
- Chest pain that is severe, getting worse or lasts more than 10 minutes: call Triple Zero (000)
Good to know
Dry, chesty or lingering?
A dry cough feels tickly and brings nothing up. A chesty cough brings up phlegm, which should be white or clear; if it turns yellow, green or bloody, speak to your doctor as soon as possible. If phlegm and chest tightness dominate, see chest congestion. Most short-term coughs follow a cold or flu and settle within 2 to 4 weeks. A cough lasting more than 8 weeks is chronic. Lingering coughs can come from mucus dripping down the throat (see runny nose), acid reflux, asthma or medicines such as ACE inhibitors (ask your doctor before stopping any medicine).
Cough medicines, children and honey
Cough medicines may ease symptoms, but there's not much evidence they help a cough clear up sooner, and they may have side effects. Suppressants can cause drowsiness, so don't drive or drink alcohol with them. Under TGA rules, children's oral cough, cold and flu medicines must be labelled not for use under 6, and children aged 6 to 11 should have them only on the advice of a doctor, pharmacist or nurse practitioner. Honey may soothe the throat, but never give it to babies under 12 months (risk of botulism). See your doctor if a cough lasts more than 3 or 4 weeks or disturbs your sleep.
Sources: healthdirect — Cough; TGA — First-generation antihistamines: winter warning; healthdirect — Medicines for colds, flu (influenza) and COVID-19; healthdirect — Medicines for colds, flu and COVID-19 for children
Frequently asked questions
Dry, tickly coughs can be suppressed. Productive coughs (with mucus) should not be suppressed as they clear airways.
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Medical disclaimer
This information is general in nature and isn’t a substitute for professional medical advice. Always read the label and follow the directions for use. Talk to your pharmacist or doctor about what’s right for you.