All About A Dry, Irritating Cough

Although the difference between a dry and wet cough might seem obvious, many people seem to have trouble differentiating between these two types of coughs1.

A cough is a natural reflex action that clears your airway of irritants and mucus.  A wet cough is often called a productive cough, as it is a cough that produces phlegm or mucus. A dry cough is referred to as a non-productive cough as it does not produce phlegm or mucus1-3.

What makes it more confusing is that both dry and wet coughs can be caused by viral upper respiratory tract infections and that a cough associated with colds & flu can often change from dry to wet and back to dry again3-7.

A dry cough can also be caused by a smoky or dry environment, air pollution, allergies, asthma, acid reflux, acute bronchitis, croup, and certain medications. Medicines that are associated with a dry cough include some blood pressure medication and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications3.

Most coughs tend to be acute lasting less than 3 weeks, but some can last for up to two months and are usually the result of irritation in your airway, which is often overly sensitive after a viral illness2,3.

Whatever the cause, a persistent dry cough can seriously impact your day-to-day life, especially if it is worse at night and affects your sleep2. This type of dry cough can be difficult to treat and often requires time and patience2.

Persistent coughing increases the irritation in your airway, which is why many people use medicines such cough syrups or throat lozenges/pastilles to reduce coughing and give the airways a chance to heal 2.

Bronchostop® Cough Pastilles and Cough Syrup contain the natural ingredients marshmallow root dry extract and thyme herb extract, that help relieve both a wet or dry cough108,9. The marshmallow dry root extract creates a protective and soothing film on the throat that relieves irritation and soothes inflammation while reducing the urge to cough while the thyme herb extract thins the mucus to help cough it up8-12.

Consult with your healthcare practitioner if you are worried about the cause of your cough, and what the best course of treatment might be.

DISCLAIMER: This editorial has been commissioned and brought to you by iNova Pharmaceuticals. Content in this editorial is for general information only and is not intended to provide medical or other professional advice.

Scheduling Status: S0 Proprietary name (and dosage form): Pholtex Bronchostop® Cough Syrup. Composition: Each 5 ml syrup contains: 39 mg Thyme herb extract and 277 mg Marshmallow root dry extract. Pharmacological Classification: Complementary Medicine: Discipline Specific Traditional Claims D33.6 Western Herbal Medicine. Scheduling Status: S0 Proprietary name (and dosage form): Pholtex Bronchostop® Cough Pastilles. Composition: Each pastille contains: 51.1 mg Thyme herb extract and 4.5 mg Marshmallow root dry extract. Pharmacological Classification: Complementary Medicine: Discipline Specific Traditional Claims D33.6 Western Herbal Medicine. Proprietary name (and dosage form): Pholtex Bronchostop® Children’s Cough Syrup. Composition: Each 5 ml syrup contains: 48 mg Marshmallow root dry extract and 250 mg Honey. These unregistered medicines have not been evaluated by the SAHPRA for their quality, safety or intended use. For full prescribing information, refer to the individual professional information or instructions for use. Further information is available on request from iNova Pharmaceuticals

Name and business address of applicant: iNova Pharmaceuticals (Pty) Limited. Co. Reg. No.1952/001640/07, 15E Riley Road, Bedfordview. Tel. No. 011 087 0000. www.inovapharma.co.za. IN4114/21

References:

  1. Differentiating Dry Cough and Wet Cough Based on Causes, Symptoms, Treatment – ePainAssist (2019) at https://www.epainassist.com/chest-pain/lungs/differentiating-dry-cough-and-wet-cough. (Website accessed on 11 February 2021)
  2. What Causes a Dry Cough? (2019) at https://www.healthline.com/health/dry-cough (Website accessed on 11 February 2021)
  3. Truter I. Cough. Evidence Based Pharmacy Practice. SA Pharm J 2007;74(4):20-27.
  4. Parihar M, et al. A review – Cough & treatments. International Journal of Natural Products Research 2011;1(1):9-18.
  5. Eccles R. Understanding the symptoms of the common cold and influenza. Lancet Infect Dis 2005;5:718 -725.
  6. Farzan S. Cough and Sputum Production. Chapter 38 – The History, Physical, and Laboratory Examinations, 3rd Edition. Butterworths.
  7. Morice A, Kardos P. Comprehensive evidence-based review on European antitussives. BMJ Open Resp Res 2016;3:e000137. doi:10.1136/bmjresp-2016-000137.
  8. Pholtex Bronchostop® Cough Syrup professional information, September 2019.
  9. Pholtex Bronchostop® Cough Pastilles professional information, September 2019.
  10. Capasso F. et al. Phytotherapy. Chapter 18 – Plants and the respiratory System. Springer Science & Business Media, 2003.
  11. Al-Snafi AE. The Pharmaceutical Importance of Althaea officinalis and Althaea rosea: A Review. International Journal of PharmTech Research 2013;5(3):1378-1385.
  12. WHO Herbal monographs Volume 2 – Role of the WHO monographs on selected medicinal plants.