From the Guidelines
Cough suppressants for pneumonia-related cough to aid sleep are typically central cough suppressants, such as codeine and dextromethorphan.
Recommended Cough Suppressants
- Codeine: a central cough suppressant that can be prescribed for short-term symptomatic relief of coughing in patients with chronic bronchitis, and is likely effective for pneumonia-related cough 1.
- Dextromethorphan: another central cough suppressant that can be prescribed for short-term symptomatic relief of coughing in patients with chronic bronchitis, and is likely effective for pneumonia-related cough 1.
Important Considerations
- These medications should only be used for short-term symptomatic relief, as they do not address the underlying cause of the cough 1.
- The use of these medications should be based on the specific clinical context and patient needs, and should be guided by evidence-based clinical practice guidelines 1.
- Other types of cough suppressants, such as peripheral cough suppressants and anticholinergic agents, may not be effective for pneumonia-related cough and are not recommended for this use 1.
From the Research
Cough Suppressants for Pneumonia-Related Cough
To aid sleep, the following cough suppressants are prescribed for pneumonia-related cough:
- Centrally acting opioids such as morphine, codeine, and dextromethorphan 2, 3
- Peripherally acting antitussives include moguisteine and levodropropizine 2
- Combinations of codeine or dextromethorphan with antihistamines, decongestants, and expectorants 4
- First-generation antihistamines like chlorpheniramine 4
Efficacy of Cough Suppressants
The efficacy of these cough suppressants in reducing pneumonia-related cough is not well established, with some studies showing no significant difference in outcomes 5, 6. However, mucolytics may be beneficial in reducing the severity of cough 5, 6.
Considerations for Use
It is essential to note that the use of cough suppressants, particularly those containing codeine and antihistamines, is not recommended in young children 5, 6. Additionally, the use of opioids such as morphine and codeine can produce side effects such as drowsiness, nausea, constipation, and physical dependence 2, 3.