From the Guidelines
To manage phlegm in your throat, it is recommended to try drinking plenty of warm fluids, use a saline nasal spray or rinse, and consider over-the-counter options like guaifenesin (Mucinex) or combination products like Robitussin DM, as these approaches can help thin mucus, moisten the airways, or reduce irritation that triggers mucus production 1. When considering the management of phlegm in the throat, it's essential to prioritize methods that either thin the mucus, making it easier to expel, or reduce irritation that triggers mucus production.
- Drinking plenty of warm fluids like water, tea with honey, or broth can help thin mucus and make it easier to clear.
- Using a saline nasal spray or rinse 2-3 times daily can flush irritants and thin mucus.
- Steam inhalation for 5-10 minutes can loosen phlegm; simply breathe in steam from a bowl of hot water with a towel over your head.
- Over-the-counter options include guaifenesin (Mucinex) at 400-600mg every 12 hours to thin mucus, or combination products like Robitussin DM that include dextromethorphan to suppress cough, as supported by guidelines for cough management 1.
- Staying hydrated with 8-10 glasses of water daily, using a humidifier in your bedroom, and elevating your head while sleeping can also help.
- Avoiding dairy, alcohol, and smoking is recommended as these can increase mucus production. It's also important to note that if phlegm persists beyond 10-14 days, is discolored, or accompanied by fever or breathing difficulties, consulting a healthcare provider is necessary as it may indicate an infection requiring different treatment. In terms of specific pharmacologic interventions, the use of ipratropium bromide is recommended for cough suppression in patients with cough due to upper respiratory infection (URI) or chronic bronchitis, with a substantial benefit and an A grade of recommendation 1. However, the effectiveness of other treatments such as central cough suppressants like codeine and dextromethorphan may vary depending on the underlying cause of the cough, with a fair level of evidence and a B grade of recommendation for their use in chronic bronchitis 1. Additionally, antireflux therapy may be effective in treating cough in carefully selected cases, as suggested by recommendations for the management of cough in adults 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
USES Helps loosen phlegm (mucus) and thin bronchial secretions to make coughs more productive. To manage phlegm in the throat, guaifenesin (PO) can be used as it helps loosen phlegm (mucus) and thin bronchial secretions, making coughs more productive 2.
From the Research
Phlegm in Throat Recommendations
To manage phlegm in the throat, several options are available:
- Using expectorants like guaifenesin to loosen mucus and make coughs more productive 3, 4
- Practicing non-pharmacological measures such as smoking cessation and chest physiotherapy to decrease mucus hypersecretion and increase mucus clearance 4
- Considering pharmacological interventions, including mucolytics, long-acting beta2-adrenergic receptor agonists, anticholinergics, glucocorticoids, phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitors, antioxidants, and antibiotics, depending on the underlying condition 4
Management of Underlying Conditions
For conditions like stable chronic bronchitis, the goal of therapy is to decrease mucus hypersecretion and increase mucus clearance 4
- Guaifenesin can be used to help loosen phlegm and thin bronchial secretions in patients with stable chronic bronchitis 3, 4
- For pharyngitis, a thorough history and careful diagnosis are necessary to provide targeted treatment, and rapid antigen detection tests should be reserved for concerns about antibiotic initiation 5
Treatment Options
Treatment options for phlegm in the throat depend on the underlying cause: