What should you know about cough medicine for pneumonia?

Pneumonia inflames the air sacs and surrounding lung tissue. The cough may be dry or may bring up phlegm as the lungs clear mucus. Stopping every cough is not always helpful, particularly when mucus needs to move out. Pneumonia can be caused by different infections, including viruses and bacteria, so treatment depends on the clinical assessment. COVID-19 and Influenza can also affect the lungs and may need specific advice.

Use medicines exactly as prescribed and ask before adding a cough suppressant, expectorant, or combination cold product. Rest, drink fluids if you have not been told to restrict them, and avoid smoking. Note changes in breathing, temperature, alertness, and the colour or amount of phlegm. Do not use leftover antibiotics. A clinician may need to listen to your chest, check oxygen levels, or arrange further tests before deciding treatment.

Seek urgent care for severe or worsening breathlessness, blue or grey lips, confusion, fainting, chest pain, inability to drink, or unusual difficulty staying awake. Prompt assessment is also needed if fever or chills persist, the cough worsens quickly, or you cough up blood. Pneumonia can sometimes lead to sepsis, so a person who becomes rapidly more unwell needs emergency attention.

Ask whether your cough should be suppressed or whether clearing phlegm is useful, which prescribed medicines to continue, and what change should trigger reassessment. Tell the clinician about lung disease, pregnancy, allergies, kidney problems, and every product already taken.