Uh oh! So you have a persistent cough and it's starting to not only hurt your throat but disturb the people around you. Naturally, you head to your nearest pharmacy in an attempt to find medicine to control the coughing, but which one is the best? Thankfully, we have several great options available, which are not only soothing and effective but also animal-free! Keep reading to find out how to treat them!
Types of Coughs
Coughing is a natural protective reflux our bodies create when there is any kind of irritant in the throat, whether it’s a tiny dust particle or mucus. Coughs that are persistent, painful, or cause shortness of breath should be examined by a medical provider. There are two types of common cough: a dry cough which has a consistent tone and a wet cough which sounds different every time due to excessive mucus in the throat.
Animal-Free Liquid Cough Medications
Liquid cough medications are a common treatment for cough symptoms and some people wonder if these medications are vegan-friendly. The good news is that we have verified a few liquid cough medications that are animal-free! The list below contains verified animal-free cough products:
Medication | Active Ingredient | How It Works | How To Use |
Dextromethorphan | Helps suppress the urge to cough | Ages 4-6 years: Take 2.5 ml every 12 hours as needed Ages 6-12 years: Take 5 ml every 12 hours as needed Ages 12+ years: Take 10 ml every 12 hours as needed | |
Delsym Cough+ Chest Congestion DM Liquid | Guaifenesin + Dextromethorphan | Helps with wet coughs with mucus and suppresses the urge to cough | Ages 12+ years: Take 20 ml every 4 hours as needed |
Guaifenesin + Dextromethorphan | Helps with wet coughs with mucus and suppresses the urge to cough | Ages 12+ years: Take 20 ml every 4 hours as needed | |
Elderberry and South African Geranium | Helps with respiratory and digestive health | Ages 6-12 years: Take 1.5 teaspoons every 8 hours as needed 12+ years: Take 2 teaspoons every 8 hours as needed |
Animal-Free Cough Drops and Lozenges
Apart from cough medications and syrups, cough drops or lozenges work by suppressing cough as well as moistening and soothing the throat to prevent irritation. These can be taken every 2 hours as needed. Some verified animal-free options include:
Medication | Active Ingredient | Age Indication |
Cepacol Extra Strength Lozenges (Cherry Flavor) | Benzocaine + Dextromethorphan | For ages 5+ years |
Wholesome blend of herbs with menthol | For ages 6+ years | |
Menthol combined with a hint of eucalyptus flavor | For ages 6+ years |
Animal-Free Cough Products for Babies and Kids
We can all agree that hearing your baby cough is distressing; luckily, there's plenty for the little ones too. Take a look at the list below for all verified animal-free cough medications for kids.
Medication | How To Use |
Ages 2-5 months: Take 3 ml every 4 hours Ages 6-11 months: Take 4 ml every 4 hours Ages1-3 years: Take 5 ml every 4 hours Do not exceed 6 doses in 24 hours | |
Ages 4-6 years: Take 2.5-5 ml every 4 hours Ages 6-12 years: Take 5-10 ml every 4 hours Do not exceed 6 doses in 24 hours | |
Ages 4-11 months: Take 2 ml every 4-6 hours Ages 1-3 years: Take 5 ml every 4-6 hours Ages 4+ years: Take 10 ml every 4-6 hours Do not exceed 6 doses in 24 hours | |
Ages 4-11 months: Take 2 ml every 4-6 hours Ages 1-3 years: Take 5 ml every 4-6 hours Do not exceed 6 doses in 24 hours | |
Ages 1-5 years: Take 5 ml every 8 hours Ages 6-12 years: Take 10 ml every 8 hours |
Conclusion
Our marketplace has many great animal-free options both natural and pharmacological available. Persistent coughing can be a sign of many underlying conditions like asthma or lung infections. Be sure to visit your primary care provider if your cough does not improve in three weeks or if you are having shortness of breath and pain with your coughs. If you have any further questions about the ingredients in your medicines, feel free to reach out to the VeganMed team!
Co-authored by: Sweta Kumar, Yen Nguyen
Disclaimer: The product and/or information provided on VeganMed is of a general nature and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We do not lab test the products to confirm that they are free from animal ingredients, and it is possible that the formulation and ingredients could have changed. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or product.
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Thank you for your awareness and concern for animal-derived ingredients!
If you have any further questions about ingredients in your medicines and supplements, feel free to reach out to the VeganMed team!
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