Kick Your Cough to the Curb With These OTC Cough Syrups, Recommended by Doctors

When it comes to cough syrups for young kids, Dr. Ott only recommends treating a cough “when it’s interfering significantly with sleep or causing pain.” Otherwise, coughing is a good thing — it’s necessary to help move mucus the body is trying to eliminate, she explains. However, if your pediatrician has ruled out other causes of coughing, such as asthma and pneumonia, Ott recommends honey or a cough syrup like Zarbee’s, which contains honey to coat and soothe the throat. We love Zarbee’s Cough Syrup+Immune because, in addition to dark honey, it also contains three additional ingredients that may help support immune health — vitamin D, zinc, and elderberry fruit extract.

We also liked that this product is sugar-free. Instead, it contains sorbitol and sucralose as sweeteners. It's also a nondrowsy formula that can be used during the day or night, so you don't need to purchase multiple products — this one covers you all day. Like many other cough syrups, it's not recommended for children under 12. Additionally, people taking prescription MAOIs should consult their doctor before using this product.

“I'm not a fan of most ‘all-in-one’ formulas,” says Buttarazzi, “as they often pack in four or more ingredients you may not need and can make it easy to double up on ingredients, such as acetaminophen.” However, Buttarazzi notes that Robitussin Cough and Chest Congestion DM is different. “It combines dextromethorphan to quiet a cough,” she explains, “and guaifenesin to thin and loosen mucus — nothing extra.”

“Delsym keeps it simple with a single active ingredient — dextromethorphan,” says Buttarazzi, “making it a solid choice for a dry, nagging daytime cough.” She adds that most people find it nonsedating, but that everyone has unique body chemistry, so it's best to try it at home first to see how you respond.

We also appreciated that this cough syrup contains a time-release form of dextromethorphan, which can provide relief for up to 12 hours. This is more convenient than many of the other cough syrups on this list, which typically need to be taken every four hours. Plus, because it only contains dextromethorphan, it can be used for children ages 4 and older; most other cough syrups that contain an expectorant are not appropriate for children under 12 years.

However, because it doesn't contain an expectorant, it may not be the best choice for individuals with a wet cough or congestion caused by excessive mucus. It also contains sugar, which may not be preferred by some people.

Buttarazzi generally recommends choosing nondrowsy cough syrups like the ones listed above, even at night, because the nighttime syrups typically rely on sedating antihistamines. However, if coughing is truly keeping you from sleeping, she recommends Robitussin Maximum Strength Nighttime Cough DM, noting that it only contains a low dose of antihistamine (plus dextromethorphan to help suppress a cough).

Finally, although Benadryl Allergy Liquid is effective in relieving coughs associated with allergies or the common cold, it doesn’t contain an expectorant, so it may not be helpful for people with a wet cough or excessive mucus. However, if you're experiencing a dry cough or other allergy-like symptoms, this is an effective option.