Suggest Treatment For Chronic Cough Which Is Not Responding To Antibiotics

Posted on Sat, 14 Mar 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 14 Mar 2015 Answered on

Mon, 6 Apr 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : my mother is suffering from cough last 7 days. Initially the cough was chronic . My mother took following medication from last 7 days
1. Cefixime - 200 and cheston cold and Bro-Zeet Cough Syrup (terbutaline, ambroxol, Guaifenesin)
She administered the above medicine when the cough was chronic. But after taking this medicine, she did not feel any recovery. Condition was same as before taking the medicine. After that she visited to a doctor. Doctor advised her to take the following medicine
2. Amoxyclav-625 and LCZ-Plus and Lupituss cough syrup (Levocloperastine Fendizoate)
She started administered this medicine. She got some recovery from cough. But today again, Cough is getting worsen. She is not feeling comfortable. Doctor please suggest the best treatment or medicine to treat this cough.

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Get done chest x ray and PFT .

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear, thanks for your question on HCM.
I can understand your mother's situation and problem.
I will advice to go for chest x ray and PFT ( pulmonary function test ) first.
Chronic cough, not improving with antibiotics and antihistamine should be evaluated first and diagnose properly.
Possibility of chronic lung infection and bronchitis is high in her case.
So chest x ray is needed to rule out lung infection.
PFT is needed to rule out bronchitis. Haphazard use of antibiotics should be avoided as it actually delays the recovery and increases the chance of drug resistance.
So better to first diagnose her and then start appropriate treatment.
She may need inhaled bronchodilators.
Hope I have solved your query.
I will be happy to help you further.
Wish you good health.
Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar