| The main groups of drugs used to treat coughs are expectorants, mucolytics and suppressants. |
| Expectorants are supposed to encourage productive coughs but their benefit isn't proven. |
| Expectorants for example guaiphenesin, ammonium chloride, squill, sodium citrate and ipecacuanha may help chesty coughs. |
| In treating a cough, a dry tickly one may be better suppressed with anti-tussives, whereas a mucosal cough may be better encouraged by expectorants to remove the mucus. |
| For dry coughs there are a variety of suppressants available and for the chesty cough there are expectorants to help bring phlegm up and make the coughing less harsh. |
| Mucinex DM Regular and Maximum Strengths are expectorants indicated to control coughs and thin and loosen mucus. |
