Antitussive

Antitussive is a type of medication that is used to suppress the symptoms of coughing. It works by reducing or blocking the action of the nerve signals that cause coughing. It can be taken as a pill, syrup, or inhaler and is most commonly used to treat dry, non-productive coughs. Antitussive medications are usually used to treat acute coughs caused by a cold or other respiratory infection, but can also be used to treat chronic coughs due to conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema. Antitussives work by decreasing the amount of fluid that is secreted into the airways and by decreasing the sensitivity of the airways to irritants that can cause coughing. They can also reduce the activity of certain nerves that are responsible for triggering the cough reflex. The most commonly used antitussive medications are codeine, dextromethorphan, and diphenhydramine.