Pharmacological control of cough

Cough constitutes an important medical problem in all ages. Although treatment of underlying pathologies, e.g., bronchial asthma, upper respiratory tract infection, etc. is well justified to cure cough, non-specific therapy in the form of a number of antitussive agents like, codeine, dextromethorphan, etc. is widely practiced to suppress it. Most of these agents are efficacious and well-tolerated. Nevertheless, CNS toxicities may occur in new-borns, especially those with immature metabolic profile. Some recent reports about interactions (involving hepatic cytochrome P450 enzymes) between dextromethorphan and other drugs are also noteworthy.