Suggest Treatment For Persistent Dry Cough

Posted on Sun, 13 Nov 2016

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

Sat, 12 Nov 2016 Answered on

Mon, 5 Dec 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : I have had a dry cough for a month. No fever. No headache. Non Stop coughing. I'm 61 yrs old never smoked. I went to the doctor Monday and he prescribed Zipac. By Friday I was no better and the tablets only were good for 5 days. I called yesterday and they prescribed Amoxiciilin. I took 2 so far (every 12 hrs) and no change. Any suggestions? Very hard to sleep when I'm coughing constantly.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (-4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Explained

Detailed Answer:
Hello and Welcome

I appreciate your concern

I would disagree with the practice of changing over to amoxicillin without any evidence base. The chest should be examined thoroughly. X ray chest should be obtained. Cough medication like hydrelline or rhinathiol should be advised. If there is associated bronchospasm then long acting b 2 agonists like salmeterol in combination with budesonide or beclomethasone should be prescribed in inhalers. Steam inhalation should be encouraged. Oral steroids and mast cell inhibitors can be considered if the symptoms persist. For suspected community acquired pneumonia, azithromycin should ideally be combined with augmentin (Amoxicillin plus clavulanate) for better results.

Wishing you best of health

Thanks

Let me know if you have any query

Please consult your doctor before deciding on any further course of action.

For future follow up / correspondence you may ask me directly at the link given below

http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/Funnel?page=askDoctorDirectly&docId=68107

Dr. M.S. Khalil

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