Cold & Flu Treatment 6 Ways to Stop a Cough By Kristina Duda, RN Kristina Duda, RN Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Kristina Duda, BSN, RN, CPN, has been working in healthcare since 2002. She specializes in pediatrics and disease and infection prevention. Learn about our editorial process Updated on March 02, 2022 Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Daniel More, MD Medically reviewed by Daniel More, MD Daniel More, MD, is a board-certified allergist and clinical immunologist with a background in internal medicine. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Suppressants Expectorants Prescription Meds Other Options Frequently Asked Questions Coughs can be irritating and disrupt your daily life. Although they can be caused by many things, coughs that are caused by respiratory infections such as colds and the flu can last three to eight weeks. This article explains six options for relieving the symptoms of a cough. LightFieldStudios / Getty Images Cough Suppressants Over-the-counter (OTC) medications called cough suppressants provide relief by suppressing the reflex that causes a cough. However, very little research has been done to prove that these medications actually provide any benefit. Some may have side effects. Most clinical trials involving over-the-counter cough suppressants have shown that they are not any more effective than doing nothing at all. Expectorants Expectorants, which also are available OTC, are different from cough suppressants because they don’t stop coughs. They work by thinning your mucus so it drains better. This helps you cough it up more easily. Unlike cough suppressants, these medications have been proven in clinical studies to decrease secretions. This could reduce symptoms of coughing. If the cough is caused by the common cold, your healthcare provider may prescribe a decongestant. These can dry up sinus secretions that cause post-nasal drip (which can make you cough). How to Choose the Best OTC Cough Medication for You Prescription Cough Medications Prescription-strength cough suppressants are used to relieve severe coughs. These can interrupt daily activities and keep you awake at night. Your healthcare provider may prescribe one of these medications if OTC options are not effective. Prescription cough medications include codeine, which is a narcotic. These drugs can cause side effects and can also be habit-forming. Other Options Other ways to relieve symptoms of a cough include: Cough drops: Throat lozenges or cough drops containing menthol may help relieve coughs temporarily. Menthol acts as a mild anesthetic and can reduce the need to cough. Humidifier: When you're sick with an upper respiratory illness, using a humidifier can help relieve symptoms. It puts extra moisture in the air, reducing irritation from dry air that can bother already sore throats and uncomfortable nasal passages. Although using a humidifier won't make your cough go away, it could help reduce the irritation in your airways, meaning you may cough less frequently. A spoonful of honey: In recent studies, honey has shown to be more effective than OTC cough medications at relieving coughs, especially in children. Just a spoonful of honey can coat the throat and calm a cough, at least periodically. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, honey should never be given to a child under 12 months old. It contains botulism spores, which are not harmful to adults but can lead to botulism poisoning in children under a year old. Summary Coughs are a common symptom of many illnesses. While irritating, they help eliminate extra mucus from the airways and prevent it from getting trapped in the lungs, which can lead to complications like pneumonia. Symptoms of a cough can often be relieved by OTC medications and home remedies. In some cases, your healthcare provider may prescribe a stronger cough medicine. A Word From Verywell Most coughs will go away on their own in around a week. If your cough lingers for more than a few weeks or if it changes significantly, contact your healthcare provider. You may need to treat the underlying cause of a cough (such as pneumonia or bronchitis) instead of just trying to get relief from the symptoms. Frequently Asked Questions How do you quickly quiet a cough? Keeping your throat and mucous membranes moist can help to soothe a cough. Sip water or tea. If you don’t have a drink handy, a cough drop, throat lozenge, or piece of hard candy can help. Cough suppressant medicine will also help calm a cough but can take a little time before the medication starts working. What medications stop a cough? Dextromethorphan—the DM in many cough formulas—sends messages to the brain to stop the cough reflex. Will guaifenesin quiet a cough? No, guaifenesin is an expectorant. It helps treat a cough by thinning out mucous, making phlegm easier to cough up and expel. It helps relieve chest congestion, but it does not quiet a cough. Do cough drops or throat lozenges work better for stopping a cough? Cough drops and throat lozenges are very similar. They both contain medications, such as menthol, that help quiet a cough. A throat lozenge also has an analgesic, like benzocaine, that helps to soothe a sore throat. Sucking on a lozenge or cough drop increases saliva production. This helps prevent throat dryness and soothe irritated and itchy throats, suppressing the urge to cough. What is the best drink for soothing a cough? A warm cup of tea with honey and lemon is often recommended for quieting a cough. Honey appears to be the key ingredient. Research show honey can help to soothe a cough. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Looking to avoid getting the flu? Our free guide has everything you need to stay healthy this season. Sign up and get yours today. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 7 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. American Lung Association. Cough symptoms, causes and risk factors. Smith SM, Henman M, Schroeder K, Fahey T. Over-the-counter cough medicines in children: neither safe or efficacious? Br J Gen Pract. 2008;58(556):757-8. doi:10.3399/bjgp08X342642 Zhang T, Zhou X. Clinical application of expectorant therapy in chronic inflammatory airway diseases (Review). Exp Ther Med. 2014;7(4):763-767. doi:10.3892/etm.2014.1494 Paul IM, Beiler J, Mcmonagle A, Shaffer ML, Duda L, Berlin CM. Effect of honey, dextromethorphan, and no treatment on nocturnal cough and sleep quality for coughing children and their parents. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2007;161(12):1140-6. doi:10.1001/archpedi.161.12.1140 Korioth T. Remind families: honey can cause infant botulism. American Academy of Pediatrics. Published November 19, 2018. Mahashur A. 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