Expectorant

What is an expectorant?

An expectorant is a medicine that may help clear mucus from your airways in your lungs and throat. Don’t use it for a dry cough. You can get some expectorants without a prescription (over the counter), but others need a prescription. Expectorants help break up chest congestion from infections like:

• A common cold
• The flu (influenza)
• Bronchitis
• Pneumonia

Expectorants treat the symptoms, not the underlying cause. In other words, expectorants won’t make your infection go away any sooner or stop you from spreading germs to others. But these medicines may make it easier for you to cough up mucus that’s stuck in your throat or lungs.

If you have a chronic lung disease involving mucus buildup, like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), your healthcare provider might prescribe an expectorant to help manage your condition.

What are the different types of expectorants?

Types of expectorants include:

• Guaifenesin: This is the main component of many over-the-counter cold and flu medicines, including Mucinex®. It comes in tablet, caplet, meltaway (dissolving granule) and liquid forms.
• Hypertonic saline solution: This is a saline solution that’s higher in salt than normal saline. If you have cystic fibrosis, your provider may prescribe it for you to use in a nebulizer. This can help thin mucus so you can get it up and out of your airways.
• Potassium iodide: This is a prescription-strength expectorant that your healthcare provider might prescribe if you have a chronic lung disease. Potassium iodide loosens mucus so you can cough it up. This medicine comes as a liquid that you mix in water, juice or milk.

It’s important to follow your healthcare provider’s guidance if you’re using any of these expectorants. They’ll help you understand exactly how and when to use the medicine.

What does an expectorant do?

Expectorants add water to the mucus in your airways. Extra water makes the mucus thinner and looser. When mucus is thinner, you can cough it up more easily. And that’s a good thing — you don’t want mucus hanging around in your airways. It can create uncomfortable congestion or make it harder to breathe.

Unlike a cough suppressant, an expectorant won’t stop you from coughing. Instead, it’ll make your cough more productive. This means coughing will bring up mucus so it can leave your body. “Expectoration” and “expectorate” are medical words that refer to this process of coughing up mucus. No matter what you call it, the result is the same — you’re getting rid of sticky substances that can make you uncomfortable or cause trouble breathing.

Expectorants belong to a larger group of medicines called mucoactive agents. These are medicines that help break up mucus that’s stuck in your airways, making the mucus thinner. Mucolytics are also part of this group of mucoactive agents.

What are the benefits of this medicine?

Expectorants may help you cough up mucus and ease chest congestion. But keep in mind that medicines don’t always affect everyone in the same way. If guaifenesin (Mucinex) or another expectorant helped a friend feel better, that doesn’t mean it’ll help you.

A healthcare provider is the best person to ask about the benefits of certain medicines based on your unique needs. They may recommend prescription, over-the-counter or natural remedies to help clear out mucus so you can feel better.

What are the side effects of expectorants?

Side effects vary based on the type of expectorant you’re taking. Always read the label carefully to understand possible side effects.

Guaifenesin side effects may include:

• Headache
• Nausea
• Vomiting

Potassium iodide side effects may include:

• Burning of your mouth and throat
• Headache
• Head cold symptoms, like a runny nose
• Metallic taste in your mouth
• Skin rash
• Sore teeth and gums
• Swollen salivary glands
• Upset stomach, nausea and diarrhea

Hypertonic saline side effects may include:

• Coughing more than before
• Sore throat
• Tight feeling in your chest

What are the risks of taking an expectorant?

The risks depend on the specific type of expectorant, any other medications you’re taking and your medical history. Expectorants can change the effects of other medications you take (drug interactions). Or you may have an increased risk of serious side effects. Many cold and flu medicines combine an expectorant with other active ingredients. And each ingredient has separate risks.

Always check with a healthcare provider before taking an expectorant — or any other medicine. They’ll review your medical history and medication list and tell you if the expectorant is OK for you to take. If you don’t have a usual provider, talk to a pharmacist when you go to the store. They can help you.

When should I call my healthcare provider?

When taking an over-the-counter expectorant, call a provider if:

• Your symptoms don’t go away or get worse
• You cough up phlegm or mucus that’s yellow, green, black, brown, red or white
• You’re wheezing or having trouble breathing

If your provider prescribes you an expectorant, call them any time you have questions or concerns about your treatment plan. They’ll tell you which side effects to look out for and when to seek medical care.

Is there a children’s expectorant?

Yes, some over-the-counter expectorants are made for children aged 4 and older without a prescription. But you should never give your child medicine without checking with your pediatrician first. They’ll tell you which medicines are safe for your child and how much to give them.