Praktické lekárnictvo 1/2012

How to treat cough?

Cough accompanies in addition to its defensive function many diseases of the respiratory tract. Acute cough due to cold is the most common type of cough. Currently available agents used to manage acute cough are either not effective enough, or their application is not appropriate because of the possible adverse effects, even after their administration in therapeutic doses. In the treatment of chronic cough we prefer causal therapy. Selection of drugs is governed by fact whether the cough is caused by gastroesophageal reflux, post-nasal drip syndrome, hyperreactivity linked with asthma, COPD, cancer, radiation therapy or medication. We prefer peripherally acting antitussives or mucolytics.

Keywords: cough, central and peripheral antitussive, mucoactiv substances.