Orlando, Fla. — If you’re looking for a cough remedy this cold season, you might be out of luck.
Nothing has been proven to work that well, according to a new report from the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP).
After reviewing clinical trials testing everything from cough syrups to zinc, an ACCP panel came to some less-than-positive conclusions: Over-the-counter medicines — including cold and cough products and anti-inflammatory painkillers — cannot be recommended.
Nor is there evidence supporting most home remedies — though, the group says, honey is worth a shot for kids.
In 2015, Americans spent more than $9.5 billion on over-the-counter cold/cough/allergy remedies, according to the ACCP report.
Malesker’s (report’s author) team looked at trials of cold products that combine decongestants and antihistamines, or decongestants and painkillers. They found no consistent evidence that any quash a cough. The same was true when they analyzed studies of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which include naproxen (Aleve) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin.)
On the other hand, a couple of studies have found that honey may bring some relief to children age 1 and up. (Honey should not, however, be given to babies younger than 1 year, the physicians’ group says.)
There was also “weak evidence” that zinc lozenges might help ease adults’ coughing — but it wasn’t enough to recommend them, according to the report. Plus, it says, zinc can have side effects, including a bad taste in the mouth, stomach cramps and vomiting.
What about storied home remedies, like Grandma’s chicken soup? There’s no strong evidence for them, either, the review found.
On the other hand, according to the group, if your favorite tea or soup makes you feel better, you should use it.
A simple cold-related cough is generally something healthy people can wait out — but it can be miserable, it can affect your sleep and quality of life.
Slowing down could help, and sometimes you just need to take a day off and let yourself rest drinking enough water to stay hydrated — which may help break up any thick mucus that is causing the cough.
According to Malesker, parents should talk to their pediatrician before giving any cough remedy to a child younger than 2. Medications containing the opioid codeine should not be given to children and teenagers younger than 18 due to the risk of serious side effects, including life-threatening breathing problems.
As for healthy adults, if they have found an over-the-counter product to be useful in the past, he wouldn’t discourage them from trying it again.
If you do want to try an over-the-counter cough remedy for the first time, your should talk to your health care provider or pharmacist. There are many products, with varying active ingredients, so your doctor or pharmacist may be able to steer you toward the most appropriate one.
Over-the-counter products can have side effects, like drowsiness and may contain active ingredients with the potential for abuse. Large doses of dextromethorphan — an ingredient in many cough syrups — can be used to get high, as in “Robo-tripping” (based on the brand-name Robitussin).
If you suffer from frequent colds, or coughs that last for weeks after a cold hits you may want to consult your physician to make sure an underlying condition, such as mild asthma or chronic sinusitis, has not gone unrecognized.