Common Brand Names of Cough Medicines in India
The most commonly prescribed cough medicines by general practitioners in India include Corex (chlorpheniramine and codeine), Ascoril (bromhexine and salbutamol), and various other codeine-based and non-codeine formulations that target both dry and productive cough. 1
Common Cough Medicine Categories in India
Codeine-Based Preparations
- Corex (chlorpheniramine and codeine) - First-line for dry, non-productive cough 2
- Codeine Linctus (codeine phosphate) - Used for dry cough 3
- Codistar (codeine phosphate) - For symptomatic relief of dry cough
- Ascoril C (codeine, bromhexine, and menthol) - For dry cough with mild bronchospasm
Non-Codeine Antitussives
- Kofarest (dextromethorphan) - Non-opioid antitussive for dry cough 4
- Benadryl (diphenhydramine) - Antihistamine with antitussive properties
- Coughnil (dextromethorphan) - For symptomatic relief of dry cough
- Koflet (herbal preparation) - Ayurvedic cough formulation
Expectorant/Mucolytic Combinations
- Ascoril (bromhexine and salbutamol) - For productive cough with bronchospasm 5
- Mucinac (acetylcysteine) - Mucolytic for productive cough
- Ambrolite (ambroxol) - Mucolytic expectorant
- Chericof (chlorpheniramine, phenylephrine, and dextromethorphan) - For cough with nasal congestion
Prescription Patterns by Cough Type
For Dry/Non-productive Cough
- First-line: Non-opioid antitussives like dextromethorphan-based formulations 1
- Second-line: First-generation antihistamine combinations (chlorpheniramine-based) 6
- Last resort: Codeine-based preparations when other treatments fail 1
For Productive Cough
- Mucoactive agents (bromhexine, guaifenesin, ambroxol) 1
- Bronchodilators (salbutamol) for cough with bronchospasm 5
- Hydration is emphasized as an important non-pharmacological approach 1
Special Considerations in Indian Practice
- Fixed-dose combinations (FDCs) are widely prescribed in India for cough associated with rhinitis or upper airway cough syndrome 1, 7
- Recent Indian consensus guidelines recommend rational use of cough medications and avoiding unnecessary codeine-based preparations 7
- General practitioners often categorize cough as either "wet" or "dry" to guide appropriate treatment selection 7
- Ayurvedic and herbal preparations have significant market share alongside conventional medicines 1
Prescribing Patterns and Cautions
- Codeine-based preparations should be used as a last resort when other treatments have failed 1
- Non-opioid antitussives are recommended as first-line for symptomatic relief of acute dry cough 1
- Combination therapies containing antihistamines, decongestants, or mucoactive agents are commonly prescribed for cough with associated symptoms 8
- Menthol-based formulations are popular for short-term cough suppression 6
The Indian consensus on cough management emphasizes the need for rational prescribing practices and appropriate categorization of cough to avoid irrational fixed-dose combinations 7.