Some cough suppressants are available in over-the-counter strengths as well as prescription-strength medications e. The prescription medications used to control a severe cough often contain codeine or hydrocodone, both of which are narcotic medications.
They prevent the brain from triggering the cough reflex. Often, these narcotics are in combination medications that also include an antihistamine.
An example is Tussionex PennKinetic, an extended-release oral suspension containing a combination of chlorpheniramine and hydrocodone. Another example is Nalex AC, which contains codeine and the antihistamine brompheniramine. In , the FDA updated warnings of prescription codeine cough products for children, adolescents, and those who are breastfeeding.
In , they changed labeling requirements for safety information on prescription cough and cold medications that contain codeine or hydrocodone to say that they should not be used by those under 18 years of age.
For children and teens, the risks outweigh the benefits of these products. Sometimes, healthcare providers will prescribe Tessalon Perles benzonatate for stubborn coughs. According to the FDA, benzonatate is not safe for children under age 10 because even a small amount can cause an overdose.
Another type of cough medicine is called an expectorant. Expectorants such as guaifenesin help thin and loosen mucus so you can cough it up more easily. Nasal steroids relieve the symptoms of a runny nose or sinus pressure, although they won't cure a cold or the flu.
Flonase fluticasone , formerly available by prescription only, is now sold over the counter. Your healthcare provider can prescribe Nasonex mometasone.
These drugs are effective, but can take hours to be effective. If you are concerned a cough is something more serious than a common cold virus, make an appointment. If anything, it will put your mind at ease, and if there is something wrong, your healthcare provider can prescribe treatment before things get worse.
Looking to avoid getting the flu? Our free guide has everything you need to stay healthy this season. Sign up and get yours today. Cleveland Clinic. Updated August 2, If you get sick with flu symptoms, in most cases, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people except to get medical care. If, however, you have symptoms of flu and are in a higher risk group , are very sick or worried about your illness, contact your health care provider.
CDC recommends prompt treatment for people who have flu or suspected flu who are at higher risk of serious flu complications, such as people with asthma, diabetes, or heart disease.
Studies show that flu antiviral drugs work best for treatments when they are started within 2 days of getting sick. However, starting them later can still be helpful, especially if the sick person has a higher-risk health condition or is very sick from flu for example, hospitalized patients. To receive weekly email updates about Seasonal Flu, enter your email address:.
Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link. Influenza Flu. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Jameson JL, et al. In: Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. New York, N.
Accessed July 13, Zachary KC. Treatment of seasonal influenza in adults. Goldman L, et al. In: Goldman-Cecil Medicine. Philadelphia, Pa. Bope ET, et al. The infectious diseases. In: Conn's Current Therapy Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Flu: What to do if you get sick. Accessed July 28, Antibiotics are drugs that are used to treat bacterial infections. In the late s, researchers began to observe that some chemicals were effective in treating infections. Then, in , Alexander Fleming discovered that a fungus called Penicillium notatum had contaminated one of his plated cultures of bacteria. The fungus left a bacteria-free zone in the area where it grew. This discovery would eventually lead to the development of penicillin, the first naturally occurring antibiotic to be produced.
Today, there are many types of antibiotics. They have different ways of fighting bacteria, including:. If you inhale these droplets, you may become infected. The virus can also be spread if you come into contact with contaminated objects or surfaces, such as doorknobs and faucet handles. If you touch a contaminated surface and then touch your face, mouth, or nose, you may become infected. In the past, you may have been prescribed antibiotics when you had the flu.
Antibiotic resistance is when bacteria adapt to and become resistant to antibiotics. In some cases, bacteria can even become resistant to many antibiotics. This makes some infections extremely difficult to treat. Resistance can occur when bacteria are repeatedly exposed to the same antibiotic. The bacteria begin to adapt and get stronger to resist the effects of the antibiotic and survive.
When antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains develop, they can begin to spread and cause hard-to-treat infections.
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