What medication should be taken for cough suppression?

When cough symptoms severely affect daily life, appropriate use of antitussive medications is necessary. Depending on the type and severity of the cough, either Western medicine or traditional Chinese patent medicine can be selected. In Western medicine, central-acting antitussives such as dextromethorphan and codeine are suitable for severe dry coughs, while peripheral-acting antitussives such as compound licorice tablets and noscapine are effective for irritating dry coughs. Traditional Chinese patent medicines, such as Chuanbei Pipa Syrup and She Dan Chuan Bei Liquid, are also suitable for different types of coughs but should be used under medical supervision. When using antitussive drugs, potential adverse effects such as drowsiness and nausea should be monitored, and medications should be taken according to medical advice to avoid self-medication. For patients with productive cough (cough with excessive phlegm), in addition to pharmacological treatment, lifestyle modifications such as increased fluid intake and smoking cessation are important to help alleviate cough symptoms.