From the Guidelines
For a cough lasting 8 days, the most effective treatment approach is to try a trial of inhaled ipratropium, as it may attenuate the cough, and consider the use of inhaled corticosteroids if the cough adversely affects the patient’s quality of life and persists despite use of inhaled ipratropium, as recommended by the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) evidence-based clinical practice guidelines 1.
Treatment Approach
The treatment for a cough lasting 8 days depends on the underlying cause, but the ACCP guidelines suggest the following:
- Inhaled ipratropium may be used to attenuate the cough, with a level of evidence of fair and a net benefit of intermediate 1.
- Inhaled corticosteroids may be considered if the cough adversely affects the patient’s quality of life and persists despite use of inhaled ipratropium, with a level of evidence of expert opinion and a net benefit of intermediate 1.
- Central acting antitussive agents such as codeine and dextromethorphan should be considered when other measures fail, with a level of evidence of expert opinion and a net benefit of intermediate 1.
Additional Recommendations
Other recommendations for managing a cough lasting 8 days include:
- Resting and staying hydrated to help the body recover from the underlying infection.
- Using over-the-counter medications such as dextromethorphan (Robitussin DM, 10-20 mg every 4 hours) for dry coughs or guaifenesin (Mucinex, 200-400 mg every 4 hours) for productive coughs.
- Trying honey (1-2 teaspoons as needed) to soothe throat irritation, and using lozenges for temporary relief.
- Using a humidifier and avoiding irritants like smoke to help relieve cough symptoms.
When to Seek Medical Attention
It is essential to seek medical attention if the cough persists beyond 3 weeks, or if symptoms such as high fever, difficulty breathing, chest pain, or coughing up blood occur, as these could indicate a more serious condition requiring prescription medications or other interventions 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
WARNINGS ... Stop use and ask a doctor if cough lasts more than 7 days, comes back, or is accompanied by fever, rash, or persistent headache.
USES Helps loosen phlegm (mucus) and thin bronchial secretions to make coughs more productive.
The treatment for a cough lasting 8 days is to stop use of guaifenesin and ask a doctor 2.
From the Research
Treatment for Cough Lasting 8 Days
A cough lasting 8 days may be considered acute, and the treatment approach may vary depending on the underlying cause.
- For adults, a study 3 found that dextromethorphan may modestly decrease cough compared to placebo, while another study 4 showed that a single dose of 30 mg dextromethorphan had little difference in cough measurements compared to placebo.
- In children, honey may modestly decrease the frequency and severity of cough compared to dextromethorphan or no treatment 3.
- A clinical trial 5 comparing the effectiveness of three cough syrups found that guaifenesin, guaifenesin plus codeine, and guaifenesin plus dextromethorphan were equally effective in relieving cough symptoms.
Chronic Cough Considerations
Although a cough lasting 8 days is not typically considered chronic, it is essential to note that chronic cough is defined as a cough lasting longer than 8 weeks in adults 6, 7.
- Common causes of chronic cough include upper airway cough syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux disease, asthma, and nonasthmatic eosinophilic bronchitis 6, 7.
- Evaluation and management of chronic cough involve identifying and managing the underlying cause, as well as considering cough hypersensitivity syndrome and managing it with gabapentin or pregabalin and speech therapy 7.