This text is based on the latest medical evidence and my personal experience in selecting and recommending over-the-counter medications, without favoring any particular pharmaceutical company or product. If new medical evidence is published, the recommended medications will be promptly updated accordingly.
In Japanese drugstores, a wide variety of cough suppressants and expectorants are sold.
Since each of them contains different ingredients and dosages, it’s crucial to choose a product that matches your symptoms; otherwise, not only will your condition not improve, but it may even worsen.
The key point in selecting a cough suppressant is whether to choose one with the active ingredient dihydrocodeine phosphate or one with dextromethorphan.
These are the only two active ingredients in Japanese cough suppressants.
The effectiveness and side effects of these two ingredients differ completely, so it’s essential not to make a mistake when purchasing cough suppressants from the pharmacy.
Cough suppressants effective for wet cough with phlegm
①Medicon Cough Suppressant Tablets Pro(Shionogi)
This preparation is a single-ingredient formulation with dextromethorphan as the active cough suppressant ingredient.
It is also available as a prescription medication in hospitals and is frequently prescribed for patients with influenza or COVID-19.
It is effective for both productive (wet) and non-productive (dry) coughs, as well as coughs associated with colds.
It has few side effects and can be taken by pregnant and breastfeeding women (cough suppressants derived from herbal medicine are even safer).
As a pharmacist, I highly recommend this cough suppressant.
Since it does not contain any expectorant ingredients, it is advisable for those struggling with phlegm to purchase and take the expectorant medications introduced below together.
⚠️ Note: May cause drowsiness. Avoid driving or operating machinery after taking it.
For more details, please visit the pharmaceutical company’s website.
| Age | Single Dose | Frequency per Day |
|---|---|---|
| Adult (15 years old or over) | Two tablets | Three times |
| Under the age of 15 | Not to be taken | |
②New Contac Cough Suppressant Double Extended Release
This cough suppressant is composed of the active ingredient dextromethorphan and the bronchodilator diprophylline, which helps to open the airways and ease breathing.
The main ingredient, dextromethorphan, is effective for both productive (wet) and non-productive (dry) coughs, as well as coughs associated with colds.
Additionally, dextromethorphan is frequently prescribed as a hospital medication for patients with influenza and COVID-19.
⚠️ Note:
- May cause drowsiness. Avoid driving or operating machinery after taking it.
- While it is likely safe for pregnant women, breastfeeding women should avoid nursing for 3-4 hours after taking the medication.
For more details, please visit the pharmaceutical company’s website.
| Age | Single Dose | Frequency per Day |
|---|---|---|
| Adult (15 years old or over) | One tablet | Two times |
| Under the age of 15 | Not to be taken | |
③Medicon Cough Suppressant Liquid Pro(Shionogi)
This oral medication contains dextromethorphan as the main ingredient and potassium creosote sulfonate as the expectorant ingredient.
Dextromethorphan effectively suppresses all types of coughs, whether they are productive (wet) coughs, non-productive (dry) coughs, or coughs associated with colds.
Potassium creosote sulfonate promotes airway secretions, reduces phlegm viscosity, and makes it easier to expel phlegm.
⚠️ Note: May cause drowsiness. Avoid driving or operating machinery after taking it.
For more details, please visit the pharmaceutical company’s website.
| Age | Single Dose | Frequency per Day |
|---|---|---|
| Adult (15 years old or over) | 6mL | Three times |
| Under the age of 15 | Not to be taken | |
④Contac Cough Suppressant W attack
This cough syrup, like the three medicines mentioned earlier, contains dextromethorphan as its main ingredient.
It is effective for both wet coughs with phlegm and dry coughs without phlegm, and also helps relieve coughs caused by the common cold.
It also includes guaifenesin, an ingredient that enhances the cough-suppressing effect.
Both components are known for having few side effects, making it a recommended choice.
With a honey-lemon flavor, it’s easy to take.
Pregnant and breastfeeding women can use it safely.
⚠️ Note: May cause drowsiness. Avoid driving or operating machinery after taking it.
| Age | Single Dose | Frequency per Day |
|---|---|---|
| Adult (15 years old or over) | 10mL | Three times after meals |
| Under the age of 15 | Not to be taken | |
Cough suppressants effective for dry cough without phlegm and persistent cough after a cold
⑤SS Bron Tablets(SS Pharmaceutical)
This formulation contains dihydrocodeine phosphate as the main cough suppressant ingredient, methyl ephedrine as a bronchodilator ingredient, and chlorpheniramine as an anti-allergy ingredient.
These three components are highly effective in treating persistent dry coughs and lingering coughs after a cold.
In particular, the main ingredient, dihydrocodeine phosphate, surpasses the previously mentioned dextromethorphan in its effectiveness at suppressing dry coughs.
⚠️ Note:
- The main ingredient, dihydrocodeine phosphate, is not effective for productive (wet) coughs or coughs associated with colds.
- It should not be taken by children under 12 years old as it may cause respiratory suppression.
- This medication can cause drowsiness and constipation.
- Breastfeeding women should avoid nursing for 3-4 hours after taking this medication.
- The bronchodilator ingredient, methyl ephedrine, stimulates the sympathetic nervous system and may cause or worsen urinary retention, prostate enlargement, glaucoma, and renal dysfunction in elderly individuals.
- For more details, please visit the pharmaceutical company’s website.
| Age | Single Dose | Frequency per Day |
|---|---|---|
| Adult (15 years old or over) | Four tablets | Three times |
| the age of 12~14 | Two tablets | Three times |
| Under the age of 12 | Not to be taken | |
⑥New Bron Liquid Ace(SS Pharmaceutical)
This preparation contains dihydrocodeine phosphate as the cough suppressant ingredient, guaifenesin as the expectorant ingredient, and chlorpheniramine as the anti-allergy ingredient.
It is effective in suppressing dry coughs and lingering coughs after a cold.
The main ingredient, dihydrocodeine phosphate, surpasses the previously mentioned dextromethorphan in its effectiveness at suppressing dry coughs.
A notable feature of this medicine is that it does not contain ingredients that stimulate the sympathetic nervous system, so it does not worsen conditions such as hypertension, heart failure, diabetes, or thyroid dysfunction in patients who take it.
⚠️ Note:
- The main ingredient, dihydrocodeine phosphate, is not effective for productive (wet) coughs or coughs associated with colds.
- It should not be taken by children under 12 years old as it may cause respiratory suppression.
- This medication can cause drowsiness and constipation.
- Breastfeeding women should avoid nursing for 3-4 hours after taking this medication.
- For more details, please visit the pharmaceutical company’s website.
| Age | Single Dose | Frequency per Day |
|---|---|---|
| Adult (15 years old or over) | 10mL | Three times |
| the age of 12~14 | 6.6mL | Three times |
| Under the age of 12 | Not to be taken | |
Expectorant Medicine
⑦Stona Expectorant Capsules (Sato Pharmaceutical)
This preparation is an expectorant medication that helps with the expulsion of phlegm and consists of two effective expectorant ingredients: carbocisteine and bromhexine.
Carbocisteine is also available as a prescription medication in hospitals.
It is highly safe and can be taken by breastfeeding women.
While it is likely safe for pregnant women, there have been no reports of adverse events to date.
It can be taken by children from the age of 8.
For more details, please visit the pharmaceutical company’s website.
| Age | Single Dose | Frequency per Day |
|---|---|---|
| Adult (15 years old or over) | Two tablets | Three times |
| the age of 8~14 | One tablets | Three times |
| Under the age of 8 | Not to be taken | |
⑧Cool One Expectorant Soft Capsules (Kyorin)
This preparation is an expectorant medication that helps with the expulsion of phlegm and consists of two effective expectorant ingredients: carbocisteine and bromhexine.
Carbocisteine is also available as a prescription medication in hospitals.
It is highly safe and can be taken by breastfeeding women.
While it is likely safe for pregnant women, there have been no reports of adverse events to date.
It can be taken by children from the age of 8.
For more details, please visit the pharmaceutical company’s website.
| Age | Single Dose | Frequency per Day |
|---|---|---|
| Adult (15 years old or over) | Two tablets | Three times |
| the age of 8~14 | One tablets | Three times |
| Under the age of 8 | Not to be taken | |
⑨MucoDyn Expectorant Tablets Pro 500(Shionogi)
This medication is a single-ingredient formulation containing carbocisteine, an expectorant that helps with the expulsion of phlegm and is also available as a prescription medication in hospitals.
The daily dosage of carbocisteine is 1500 mg, which is equivalent to the medical dosage.
Carbocisteine not only aids in the expulsion of phlegm but also helps repair damaged mucous membranes.
It is safe for use by both pregnant and breastfeeding women.
It can be taken by individuals aged 15 and above.
For more details, please visit the pharmaceutical company’s website.
| Age | Single Dose | Frequency per Day |
|---|---|---|
| Adult (15 years old or over) | One tablet | Three times |
| Under the age of 15 | Not to be taken | |
Herbal-Based Expectorant and Cough Medicine
⑩Mai Men Dong Tang(Kurashie)
Mai Men Dong Tang (Ophiopogonis Decoction) is particularly effective for non-productive (dry) coughs and is reported to be more effective than the cough suppressant dextromethorphan mentioned above.
It is composed entirely of herbal ingredients (Mai Men Dong, glutinous rice, Pinellia, Chinese date, ginseng, and licorice).
It is safe for use by pregnant and breastfeeding women, children, and the elderly.
⚠️ Note: Mai Men Dong Tang is not suitable for patients with weak constitutions.
For more details, please visit the pharmaceutical company’s website.
⑪Ryukakusan
This is my preferred cough suppressant and expectorant medication.
It is composed solely of herbal ingredients (balloon flower root, senega, apricot kernel, and licorice).
In addition to being effective for coughs and phlegm, it is also expected to be effective for hoarseness, throat discomfort, pain, swelling, and other throat-related issues.
It is safe for use by pregnant and breastfeeding women, children, and the elderly.
For more details, please visit the pharmaceutical company’s website.
Other Information
There are many causes of coughing. Coughing may also hide other serious diseases (such as asthma, pneumonia, tuberculosis, and lung cancer).
Therefore, if over-the-counter expectorant and cough medicine is taken five to six times and the symptoms still do not improve, it is recommended to go to the hospital as soon as possible.
