Do cough syrups really work - watsupptoday.com
Do cough syrups really work
Posted 04 Jan 2023 02:00 PM

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Date :- 04-01-2023
Watsupptoday Desk

In light of the recent Uzbekistan tragedy, the use of cough syrups has come under the scanner yet again. The Uzbekistan health ministry alleged that 18 children died after drinking a cough syrup manufactured by an Indian company. What most people don't understand about cough syrups is that while this mixture is widely sold across the country as an over-the-top drug, health experts discourage buying one without consulting a doctor. Dr Monalisa Sahu, Consultant Infectious Diseases, Yashoda Hospitals, Hyderabad told India Today that cough syrups only cater to symptoms of a cough and not the infection as a whole. "There are two types of cough syrups -- one is for dry cough and the other is for productive coughs. Cough syrups for dry coughs usually help in allergies to expel the secretion. The real cause of the cough has to be sorted out and syrups only help with the symptoms. In case of a productive cough, you need to take out the sputum, which is done with the help of a particular cough syrup". According to Dr Sharad Aggarwal, President, Indian Medical Association (IMA), New Delhi, excessive intake of cough syrups has a variety of side effects including paranoia, confusion, sweating, nausea, vomiting, restlessness, dry or itchy skin with facial redness. Around four months ago, cough syrups, manufactured in India, made headlines when a particular cough syrup reportedly caused the death of over 60 children in Gambia. So, what really goes into making these cough syrups? "Several ingredients are used in making cough syrups with most common drugs used being expectorants, decongestants, antihistamines and antitussive drugs like dextromethorphan, all of which on some level help in suppressing or stopping cough," Dr Prasad told India Today. However, "there is still research going on with no conclusive evidence" that cough syrups can cure a cough. In fact, there is little evidence to completely prove that. The Uzbekistan children were given cough syrup without a doctor's prescription at a relatively higher dosage than the standard amount, as per a BBC report. "These ingredients help in providing temporary treatment but do not cure the underlying disease that may be causing the disease". Many of the available cough syrups in the Indian market are not very "rational" since they are made of more than three compositions. "Worldwide, however, there are only two compositions present in a cough syrup which is a rational combination. But in India, cough syrups are made of over three compositions, which is irrational". Besides this, "many cough syrups aren't even scientifically backed. Some of them are like bronchodilator mucolytic that are mainly used to relieve the symptoms". Is it okay that cough syrups are sold over the counter and widely bought by consumers without any doctor's prescription? "That should not be done". Should there be any restriction on the sale of cough syrups? "People should first consult a doctor who can rule out what sort of cough it is and whether it is associated with any infection, and then prescribe a cough syrup. Over-the-counter sale of cough syrups should not be promoted". Talking about laws and regulations regarding the sale of over-the-top cough syrups, "As of now, there aren't any laws and regulations regarding restrictions on the sale of over-the-counter cough syrup medications because they are considered to be safe if taken as directed or not taken in heavy doses."

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