3.9.1 Cough suppressants

General guidance
 

• Cough is often a symptom of an underlying disorder such as asthma, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease or post-natal drip, in such cases the underlying disorder should be treated.
• Where there is no identifiable cause, cough suppressants may be useful.
• Codeine may be effective but it can be constipating, dextromethorphan and pholcodine have fewer adverse effects.

Recommended drugs

Pholcodine linctus

Drug Traffic Light Key:

Green – On Formulary

Amber – Restricted use, see local guidelines      

Purple – Specialist use/initiation

Red – Non Formulary

Relative Costs Key (where indicated):

£££££ - high

£££ - moderate

£ - low