Pharmacologic and Nonpharmacologic Treatment for Acute Cough Associated With the Common Cold

Publication Date: November 1, 2017
Last Updated: March 14, 2022

Suggestions

1. For adult and pediatric patients with cough due to the common cold, we suggest against the use of over the counter cough and cold medicines until they have been shown to make cough less severe or resolve sooner. (U-CBS)
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2. In adult patients with cough due to the common cold, we suggest against the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents until they have been shown to make cough less severe or resolve sooner. (U-CBS)
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3. In pediatric patients (aged 1-18 years) with cough due to the common cold, we suggest honey may offer more relief for cough symptoms than no treatment, diphenhydramine, or placebo, but it is not better than dextromethorphan. (U-CBS)
Remarks: Infants < 1 year of age should not be administered honey, and children < 2 years of age should not be administered dextromethorphan for cough symptoms.
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4. In pediatric patients (aged <18 years) with cough due to the common cold, we suggest avoiding use of codeine-containing medications because of the potential for serious side effects including respiratory distress. (U-CBS)
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Recommendation Grading

Overview

Title

Pharmacologic and Nonpharmacologic Treatment for Acute Cough Associated With the Common Cold

Authoring Organization

Publication Month/Year

November 1, 2017

Last Updated Month/Year

July 5, 2022

Document Type

Guideline

External Publication Status

Published

Country of Publication

US

Document Objectives

Acute cough associated with the common cold (CACC) causes significant impairment in quality of life. Effective treatment approaches are needed for CACC. We conducted a systematic review on the management of CACC to update the recommendations and suggestions of the CHEST 2006 guideline on this topic.

Target Patient Population

Patients with cough due to common cold

Inclusion Criteria

Female, Male, Adolescent, Adult, Child, Older adult

Health Care Settings

Ambulatory, Outpatient, School

Intended Users

Nurse, nurse practitioner, physician, physician assistant

Scope

Assessment and screening, Management, Treatment

Diseases/Conditions (MeSH)

D010372 - Pediatrics, D003371 - Cough, D003139 - Common Cold

Keywords

pediatric, cough, acute cough, common cold

Source Citation

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chest.2017.08.009

Methodology

Number of Source Documents
62
Literature Search Start Date
April 1, 2014
Literature Search End Date
February 1, 2015