What medication should be taken for cough due to cold?
Nov 10, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Sun Lianqing
Introduction
For cold-type cough, medications that warm the lungs, dispel cold, relieve cough, and resolve phlegm should be selected, such as Tongxuan Lifu Pills, Xiao Qinglong Mixture, Fenghan Ganmao Granules, Xingsu止咳 Syrup, and Guilong Kechuanning Capsules. Tongxuan Lifu Pills have the effects of relieving exterior symptoms, dispersing cold, promoting lung function, and stopping cough. They can expel wind-cold, warm and moisten the lung qi, and alleviate symptoms caused by cold-type cough, including aversion to cold, fever, cough, nasal congestion with runny nose, and body aches.
For cold-type cough, medications that warm the lungs, dispel cold, relieve cough, and resolve phlegm should be selected. Commonly used options include Tongxuan Lifei Pills, Xiao Qinglong Mixture, Fenghan Ganmao Granules, Xingsu Zhike Syrup, and Guilong Kechuanning Capsules. Detailed analysis is as follows:
1. Tongxuan Lifei Pills: The primary effects are relieving exterior symptoms, dispersing cold, promoting lung function, and suppressing cough. This formula effectively expels wind-cold, warms and moistens lung qi, and improves symptoms of cold-type cough such as chills, fever, cough, nasal congestion with runny nose, and body aches. Its mild nature makes it well-suited for cold-pattern conditions.
2. Xiao Qinglong Mixture: Focuses on resolving exterior patterns, transforming fluid retention, relieving cough, and alleviating wheezing. It is particularly effective for cold-type cough caused by wind-cold and fluid accumulation. The formula warms and resolves cold phlegm, relieves airway spasms, and improves symptoms such as cough, wheezing, and excessive clear, watery sputum. It is suitable for individuals experiencing chest tightness and shortness of breath along with cough.
3. Fenghan Ganmao Granules: Functions to disperse wind and cold and promote sweating to resolve exterior conditions. It helps eliminate wind-cold pathogens from the body's surface while also aiding in cough relief and phlegm resolution. It effectively alleviates cold-related symptoms such as chills, headache, nasal congestion, and cough with white phlegm.
4. Xingsu Zhike Syrup: Primarily promotes lung dispersion of cold, relieves cough, and removes phlegm. With a mild nature, it warms and moistens the respiratory tract and helps dilute cold phlegm. It improves symptoms of cold-type cough such as hoarseness, frequent coughing, and minimal but sticky sputum. Its sweet taste makes it palatable and easy to take.
5. Guilong Kechuanning Capsules: Specializes in relieving cough, resolving phlegm, reducing upward lung qi, and alleviating wheezing. It warms the lungs, dispels cold, and regulates airway function, thereby relieving discomforts such as cough, shortness of breath, and excessive phlegm due to cold-type cough. It also provides supportive regulation for chronic cold-type cough.
Medication selection must be based on accurate pattern differentiation; taking heat-clearing cough remedies by mistake may worsen the condition. It is recommended to consult a physician for proper drug selection and to follow prescribed dosages.
