BOSTON, April 20 (UPI) -- Americans spend $3.5 billion annually on over-the-counter cough remedies, but U.S. experts say much of this money is wasted.
Guidelines released by the American College of Chest Physicians indicate many of the "active" ingredients in cough remedies may be ineffective, reports the May issue of the Harvard Health Letter.
There are many nonprescription cough medicines, but most contain the same types of active ingredients in a limited number of strengths and combinations, said the Harvard Health Letter.
The new guidelines advise leaving the cough and cold medicine section and buying an allergy medicine instead. Choose one that combines an older antihistamine -- like brompheniramine, diphenhydramine, or chlorpheniramine -- with a decongestant, advises the ACCP.
However, is a consumer finds a cold or cough medicine that works, it probably won't hurt to stick with it, if only for the placebo effect, states the Harvard Health Letter.
