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Respiratory Congestion
Mucociliary System
Pathophysiology
Management
Antibiotics
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OTC Medications Could Make a Difference for Symptomatic Relief of Inhaled Irritants

OTC products for symptom relief1

Many common respiratory symptoms are associated with excess mucus, congestion, and cough. Symptom relief is important for patients' health.1

When a viral condition is present, some symptoms may be treated without the use of antibiotics.1

OTC medications may provide effective relief of excess mucus, cough, and congestion2

FDA-approved OTC products for symptomatic relief of
excess mucus, cough, and congestion*
Treatment: Used to:
Expectorants
(eg, guaifenesin)		 Thin bronchial secretions

By thinning and loosening mucus, expectorants improve mucociliary clearance, resulting in more productive coughs3

Expectorants commonly found in OTC cough suppressants are available in4:

  • Liquid form
  • Tablet form
  • Capsule form
  • Immediate-release doses
  • Extended-release doses

Expectorants can also be used in combination with oral, single-ingredient decongestants, and/or antitussives.1,2,4
Decongestants
(eg, pseudoephedrine)		 Relieve nasal congestion and sinus pressure

By producing nasal vasoconstriction of the mucosal capillaries, decongestants shrink swollen nasal mucous membranes, reducing nasal congestion and increasing the drainage of sinus secretions5

Important considerations:

  • Oral decongestants must be used with caution in patients with hypertension, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, thyroid disease, or patients who are concomitantly prescribed monoamine oxidase inhibitors5
Antitussives
(eg, dextromethorphan)		 Suppress cough

Coughing is linked with a broad range of disease states and can represent an annoyance to patients. Antitussives work directly on the "cough center" of the brain to elevate the threshold for coughing and help reduce the frequency and/or intensity of coughing.6

Two of the most widely used antitussives are7:

  • Dextromethorphan, which is available in many OTC medicines
  • Codeine, which is available by prescription or in low-dosage combination products in some states

*This is only a selected list and not all inclusive

References: 1. Mossad SB. Upper respiratory tract infections. Cleveland Clinic Web site. Revised July 29, 2005. http://www.clevelandclinicmeded.com/medicalpubs/diseasemanagement/infectiousdisease/urti/urti.htm Accessed June 17, 2008. 2. OTC Cough/Cold Drug Products. 21 CFR Part 341. 3. US Food and Drug Administration Web site. Labeling of expectorant drug products. http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/cfrsearch.cfm. Accessed January 6, 2009. 4. MedlinePlus Web site. Guaifenesin. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/medmaster/a682494.html. Accessed July 15, 2008. 5. Puruckherr M, Byrd R, Roy T, Krishnaswamy G. The diagnosis and management of chronic rhinosinusitis. http://66.102.1.104/scholar?hl=en&lr=&q=cache:ITpy5H_AK1EJ:www.priory.com/med/rhinitis.htm. Accessed January 6, 2009. 6. US Food and Drug Administration Web site. Labeling of antitussive drug products. http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/cfrsearch.cfm. Accessed February 26, 2008. 7. Bolser DC. Current and future centrally acting antitussives. Respir Physiol Neurobiol. 2006;152:349-355.

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