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Let's see what is available over-the-counter for chest congestion relief.

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Recommendation assumes chest congestion is a result of mucus accumulating in the airways. Remedies for a chest congestion over-the-counter are tailored towards thinning or enhancing the flow of mucus.

With this in mind, see what we suggest below.


Expectorant

Guaifenesin.
This is the most common expectorant over-the-counter. Use this to bring up mucus (expectorate) from the respiratory tract and reduce the viscosity of mucus in the airways. This will increase the ability of the body to keep mucus moving, improving the cough reflex mechanism so you can cough it up.

Regular or 12 hr. Which should you take?

We recommend the 12-hour formulation if cost is not a factor for you. Because they are time release and not that they are stronger. Guaifenesin need to be released gradually and continuously to loosen the thick dried up mucus that is causing this chest congestion.

To make this effective, you must keep drinking water. Full glass at a time, not tiny sips. Err on the side of too much water.

 

Do These

1. Drink a lot of water. Add lemon.

2. Steam therapy. For 20 minutes at a time.

3. Chest rub. Vicks vapor rub is a good example. Sit in a steamy shower with it.

4. Manuka honey.

5. Hot showers, bath.

6. Suck on cough drops for the purpose of moisturizing the respiratory tract.

7. If you are taking an antihistamine, stop for now. It makes the mucus thicker and you want to loosen it. Do the saline rinse instead if you have a runny nose.

8. Garlic, ginger, if you have any.

 

Last updated by pharmacist on : 03/25/2018

 

 

Know this about the safe and effective use of this recommendation.
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Our disclaimer

  • Recommendation is the opinion of a registered US Pharmacist currently practicing as a community pharmacist.
  • Recommendation is not an attempt to discuss all possible self care or treatment approach to this health challenge.
  • The responsibility of the recommending pharmacist is limited to this question:
    "If a patient presents with these symptoms, what will you recommend and why?"
    It is not an attempt to publish an article on the treatment of any condition. Just what would you tell a patient who present with so and so in the usual course of your practice.
  • The pharmacist image presented in this article may or may not be the actual image of the authoring pharmacist.
    Because we insist on using articles written by currently practicing community pharmacists, these pharmacists may choose to remain anonymous especially if they are employed by an employer to avoid being pressured to recommend a particular product to drive sales.
  • Please read the policies and terms of use for self-care OTC, selfcarepharmacist.com and it's affiliates by clicking on the button below.

 

 

 

 

 

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