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module menu icon Chesty (productive) cough

Chesty (productive) cough

Chesty (or ‘wet’) coughs occur when a person coughs up mucus or phlegm. They are often produced by a postnasal drip that causes mucus to seep down the throat.13

Some chesty coughs can:13

  • Worsen, due to pneumonia – a bacterial infection where the tissue on the lungs become inflamed

  • Be caused by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) – a type of lung disease where common symptoms also include shortness of breath and wheezing

Symptom management

Symptom management for coughs depends on the type of cough the customer has. OTC products are suitable for those suffering with non-severe acute productive cough.


EXPECTORANTS

Expectorants are suitable for chesty or productive coughs. They aim to loosen bronchial secretions which can then be coughed up more easily.

Guaifenesin is an example of an expectorant used in OTC cough medicines, which may help to reduce symptoms.8

PRODUCTS FOR CHESTY OR PRODUCTIVE COUGHS

Click the products to find out more.

Benylin® Mucus Cough Max
Honey & Lemon Flavour 100mg/5ml Syrup (GSL) (GUAIFENESIN)

  • Syrup containing 100mg guaifenesin per 5ml

  • To help loosen phlegm and relieve a productive (chesty) cough

  • Immediately feel the unique maximum strength honey and lemon formula with its soothing sensation and invigorating taste

  • Starts to be absorbed within 15 mins

DOSAGE:

Adults and children over 12 years:

10ml 4 times daily, maximum 40ml daily

  • NOT recommended in children
    under 12 years

  • NOT to be used in persistent or
    chronic cough

Benylin® Chesty Coughs Non-Drowsy (GSL) (GUAIFENESIN, LEVOMENTHOL)

  • Syrup containing 100mg guaifenesin and 1.1mg levomenthol per 5ml

  • Symptomatic relief of cough

  • Provides deep penetrating relief and a soothing effect

DOSAGE:

Adults and children aged 12 years and over:

10ml syrup every 4-6 hours up to 4 times a day

  • NOT to be given to children under 12 years

  • NOT to be used in persistent or chronic cough or cough accompanied by excessive secretions

ANTIHISTAMINES such as diphenhydramine may be useful in drying up nasal secretions and stopping mucus dripping into the throat. Diphenhydramine also causes drowsiness so can help aid a restful sleep when used in combination with a cough expectorant.11

Benylin® Mucus Cough Night (P) (DIPHENHYDRAMINE, GUAIFENESIN, LEVOMENTHOL)

  • Clear red syrup containing 100mg guaifenesin, 1.1mg, levomenthol and 14mg diphenhydramine per 5ml

  • For the relief of cough associated with congestive symptoms, and aiding restful sleep

DOSAGE:

Adults and children over 12 years:

2x 5ml spoonfuls 4 times a day. Or to aid sleep, customers may start with 2x 5ml spoonfuls at bedtime followed by 2x 5ml spoonfuls every 6 hours. No more than 4 doses (2x 5 ml spoonfuls) in 24 hours

  • NOT to be taken by children under 12

  • May cause drowsiness