Antitussive Drugs and Antiseptics
Antitussive Drugs
Antitussive Drugs is a type of medication used to suppress coughing, possibly by reducing the activity of the child’s cough center in the brain or by depressing breathing. These drugs include both narcotics and nonnarcotics that act on the central and peripheral nervous systems to suppress the cough reflex. Because the cough reflex is important in clearing secretions from the upper respiratory tract, antitussives should not be used with a cough that produces mucus.
Codeine and hydrocodone are strong narcotic antitussives. Dextromethorphan is equally effective but does not carry the danger of inducing dependence as the narcotics do. Antitussives are given by mouth (usually in a syrup with an expectorant and some alcohol). The medications also may be given as a capsule combined with an antihistamine and a mild painkiller.