From the Guidelines
Cough medicine does not typically contain guacinophen, as this is not a recognized pharmaceutical ingredient. The active ingredients in over-the-counter cough medicines usually include dextromethorphan (a cough suppressant), guaifenesin (an expectorant that helps loosen mucus), and sometimes antihistamines like diphenhydramine 1. Some cough medicines may contain acetaminophen (also called paracetamol) for pain and fever relief, which might sound similar to "guacinophen" but is a different compound.
When considering cough relief, it's essential to understand the different types of coughs and the ingredients that can help alleviate them. For example, products with dextromethorphan can help suppress coughing, while guaifenesin-containing products help with productive coughs by thinning mucus 1.
Key points to consider when choosing a cough medicine include:
- The type of cough (productive or non-productive)
- The presence of other symptoms such as pain or fever
- The active ingredients in the medicine and their potential interactions with other medications
- The importance of reading medication labels carefully and following dosing instructions to ensure safe and effective use of cough medicines.
In terms of managing cough symptoms, supportive therapies such as analgesics, anti-inflammatory agents, nasal saline, decongestants, antihistamines, mucolytics, cough suppressants, and topical or oral corticosteroids may be used alone or in varying combinations for symptom relief 1. However, it's crucial to note that antibiotics are not recommended for treating viral rhinosinusitis (VRS) since they are ineffective for viral illness and do not provide direct symptom relief.
From the FDA Drug Label
DESCRIPTION Each 5 mL (1 teaspoonful) contains: Guaifenesin 100 mg PRINCIPAL DISPLAY PANEL - 15 mL Cup Label Delivers 15 mL NDC 0121-2232-15 G UAIFENESIN O RAL S OLUTION USP 300 mg/15 mL Guaifenesin Oral Solution USP is a red, raspberry flavored solution supplied in the following oral dosage forms:
The FDA drug label does not answer the question.
From the Research
Cough Medicine Ingredients
- Cough medicine often contains ingredients such as guaifenesin, codeine, and dextromethorphan to provide relief from cough symptoms 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
Role of Guaifenesin
- Guaifenesin is a mucoactive drug that acts by loosening mucus in the airways and making coughs more productive 2.
- It is used for relief of wet cough and chest congestion due to the common cold, and remains the only legally marketed expectorant in the US 2.
Comparison of Cough Syrups
- A clinical trial compared the effectiveness of three cough syrups containing guaifenesin, guaifenesin plus codeine, or guaifenesin plus dextromethorphan, and found no statistically significant differences among treatment groups 3.
Cough Suppressants
- Currently available cough suppressants include centrally acting opioids such as morphine, codeine, and dextromethorphan, as well as peripherally acting antitussives like moguisteine and levodropropizine 4.
- Codeine is a commonly used antitussive that has been widely regarded as the standard cough suppressant against which newer drugs are being evaluated 5.