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BNSSG Adult Joint Formulary

3.4 Cough and congestion

Last edited: 24-10-2024

First line drugs Second line drugs Specialist drugs Secondary care drugs

 

Cough suppressants

Pholcodine (TLS Green)

Dextromethorphan sugar-free (TLS Green)

  • Non Sugar-free is non-formulary and blacklisted nationally
  • Should be prescribed as Robitussin Dry Cough®

Alternative:

Codeine linctus (TLS Blue)

Morphine sulfate modified release tablets (TLS Red)

  • for refractory chronic cough only

Specific indications: (TLS Blue)

Methadone linctus

  • Cough in terminal disease

Morphine

  • Cough in terminal disease

 

Expectorant and demulcent cough preparations

Simple linctus (TLS Green)

Specific indication: (TLS Red)

Gabapentin

  • For the treatment of chronic cough in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients who have failed with routine first line treatment (dextromethorphan/codeine). Consultant use only, NBT only. Unlicensed indication

Thalidomide

  • For the treatment of chronic cough in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients who have failed with routine first line treatment and gabapentin. Consultant use only, NBT only. Unlicensed indication

 

Systemic nasal decongestants 

  • Systemic decongestants should be used with caution in diabetes, hypertension, hyperthyroidism, raised intraocular pressure, prostate hypertrophy, hepatic impairment, renal impairment and ischaemic heart disease and should be avoided in patients taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors

 

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