The 15 best cough syrups (dry and productive)

The respiratory system does not stop working at any time. Every day of our lives we breathe about 21,000 times, circulating about 8,000 liters of air through our respiratory tract. But with each inhalation, we are introducing biological, physical and chemical particles that can damage this essential system for our body.

Bacteria, viruses, fungi, toxins, irritating chemicals ... There are many threats that can attack our respiratory system. And it is exactly in this context that, as a method of defense, protection and elimination of these harmful substances, cough arises. A reflex action that allows cleaning the upper respiratory tract of mucosa, inorganic microparticles and pathogens.

Thus, cough, which is one of the main symptoms of infectious respiratory diseases, allergic reactions, throat irritation or asthma, is something that our body needs to protect itself. But it is true that this sudden, violent and noisy expulsion of the air contained in the lungs can, at times, be harmful to the respiratory system itself.

And this is when one of the main cough remedies comes into play: syrups.. Antitussive drugs that are administered in cases of cough due to acute pathologies. Let's see, then, which are the best syrups to combat both dry and productive cough, that is, with mucus. Let's go there.

What is a dry and productive cough?

As we said, coughing is a reflex action that clears the upper respiratory tract of the mucosa, inorganic particles or germs that may be in them. It is, therefore, the abrupt, violent and usually noisy expulsion of the air contained in the lungs with the aim of eliminating substances that are harmful to the respiratory system.

Now, are all coughs the same? No. Not much less. And although there are many parameters that allow cough to be classified, such as its duration (acute or chronic) and its triggers (respiratory infection, psychosomatic, allergy, asthma, tobacco smoke, psychogenic, nocturnal, etc.), the most common It is the one that classifies the cough based on the mucus it is accompanied by. In this context, we have the dry cough and the productive cough.

The dry cough is one that does not produce mucus, being the one that appears after feeling a tickle in the back of the throat to give rise to the characteristic throat clearing. No mucus or phlegm is eliminated and it is the one that most irritates the throat, since the harsh sound, the discomfort and the inflammation are increasing. As it is a cough that aggravates the underlying problem, the administration of antitussives is recommended..

For its part, the productive cough is one that produces mucus, so it is the one that is accompanied by the expectoration of mucus and / or phlegm. It appears before the need to expel these mucus where harmful substances are trapped. Therefore, as it does not aggravate the problem since there is not so much irritation, but rather it solves it (since through the mucus we expel the particles that have caused the problem), the administration of antitussive syrups, unless indicated by a doctor, it is not recommended.

In summary, the productive cough (with mucus) is one that is helping us, thanks to the expectoration of mucus, to eliminate the harmful substances that have caused the problem, so it should not be treated, except in specific cases (very prolonged in the time or very bothersome), with antitussive drugs. Instead, dry cough does not produce mucus sputum and irritates the throat, so the use of cough syrups is more recommended. So let's see which ones are the best.

What are the best antitussive syrups?

Having understood what cough is and what are the differences between dry and productive, we can now go on to see which are the best antitussive drugs on the market. As always, we recommend that you consult a pharmacist and read the leaflet, because due to space limitations we cannot put all the information about each one of them. Either way, these are the best cough syrups you can buy.

1. Flutox

Flutox is one of the most effective and recommended dry cough syrups. It can be administered in both adults and children over two years of age and its action is based on blocking the reflex action of the nervous system that triggers the cough. And while it can sometimes cause drowsiness and dry mouth (only in high doses), it has very few side effects.

2. Cinfatos

Cinfatos is another of the most popular dry cough syrups. Its active principle is dextromethorphan, a substance that, as in the previous case, blocks the reflex action of coughing. It is indicated for the treatment of irritative cough in adults and children over six years of age. If the symptoms do not improve (or get worse) in a maximum of seven days, a doctor should be consulted.

3. Bisolvon antitussive

Bisolvon antitussive is a syrup that also inhibits the reflex action of coughing. Its active principle is the same as that of Cinfatos. In this case, it is indicated for the treatment of irritative cough in adults and children over two years of age. And if there is no improvement after five days, a doctor should be consulted. Has some rare side effects such as diarrhea and nausea.

4. Prospantus

Prospantus is an expectorant syrup that facilitates the elimination of mucus in patients who have problems expelling it from the body. It is made from plants and is indicated for the treatment of productive cough generally associated with disorders in the bronchial tubes. It can be administered in adults and children over two years of age.

5. Cinfahelix

Cinfahelix is ​​a herbal syrup used for the treatment of productive cough in adults and children over two years of age. It is important to note that it cannot be taken if you have an allergy to ivy or other plant species of the Araliaceae family. Side effects of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are common, appearing in 1 in 10 people who take it.

6. Pronatural Termatuss

Termatuss Pronatural is a new cough syrup that appears to be used to treat dry coughs and productive coughs. It is made from plants and is suitable for adults and children over one year of age, but as, at the moment, all the information comes from private companies, we cannot recommend it. When official bodies present the indications, we will do so.

7. Cinfamucol

Cinfamucol is a syrup that, thanks to its active principle (carbocysteine), has a mucolytic function, decreasing the viscosity of the mucus and making it more liquid so that it is expelled more easily. Thus, it is indicated in adults and adolescents over 12 years of age who have a problem with excess mucus.

8. expectorant cinfates

Expectorant cinfatos is a productive cough syrup that contains, as active ingredients, dextromethorphan hydrobromide (with antitussive action) and guaifenesin (with expectorant action). Thus, this syrup stimulates the elimination of mucus but also blocks the reflex action of coughing. It is indicated for adults and children over six years of age.

9. Bisolvon expectorant

Bisolvon expectorant is a herbal syrup that is used as a drug to stimulate mucus removal. It is indicated in adults and children over two years of age and as frequent adverse effects we have nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

10. Phytogrip

Phytogrip is a natural remedy that can be purchased online that seems to be a good tool for controlling a cough that is accompanied by mucus. We have not found information from official bodies, but their customer reviews are generally very good.

11. Influepid

Influepid is another syrup that, like the previous case, consists of a natural herbal remedy that appears to be useful for treating productive coughs. We do not have at our disposal information from official bodies but your ratings are generally good.

12. Histiacil

Histiacil is a cough syrup that combines antitussive and expectorant action to relieve cough and expel mucus, respectively. It is indicated in adults and adolescents over 12 years of age, taking about two tablespoons every six hours.

13. Mucosan

Mucosan is a syrup whose The active ingredient, ambroxol, reduces the viscosity of the mucus to facilitate its expectoration. It is indicated in adults and children over two years of age. If in five days no improvement is noticed or the symptoms have worsened, you should see a doctor. Keep in mind, however, that 1 in 10 patients experience nausea, altered sense of taste and a sensation of numbness in the mouth.

14. Iniston

Iniston is a medicine that combines three active ingredients: pseudoephedrine (with action as a nasal decongestant), dextromethorphan (with antitussive action) and triprolidine (which relieves nasal secretions). Thus, it is a syrup for the dry cough that is accompanied by congestion, something common in the flu. It is indicated in adults and children over six years of age.

15. Pectox

We close the list with Pectox, a productive cough syrup that has mucolytic action, increasing the fluidity of the mucus to facilitate its expectoration. It has practically no adverse effects and is indicated in adults and children over two years of age.