title: Which cough mixture?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Coughing is a defence mechanism to clear the airways but if it becomes ineffective, excessive or persistent it may cause fatigue and impair body function as well as create social problems for the patient.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Numerous preparations are available for the alleviation of cough, many containing multiple ingredients including antitussives, expectorants, mucolytics and decongestants. Their modes of action are examined and evidence for their usefulness in treating various types of cough evaluated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of various preparations in non-productive cough, drug induced cough and productive cough are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Biology and Pharmacology, Victorian College of Pharmacy, Monash University, Parkville.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mitchelson
mesh_terms: D000996:Antitussive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003371:Cough / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005100:Expectorants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000996:Antitussive Agents; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D005100:Expectorants