What medicine should I take if I have phlegm in my upper respiratory tract?
Upper respiratory tract infection or inflammation is often accompanied by increased sputum, and choosing the right medicine can effectively relieve symptoms. The following are medication recommendations for different causes and symptoms, compiled based on the hot health topics on the Internet in the past 10 days.
1. Common causes and corresponding drugs

| Cause type | Typical symptoms | Recommended medicine | Things to note |
|---|---|---|---|
| bacterial infection | Yellow-green purulent sputum and fever | Amoxicillin, Cefixime | A doctor’s prescription is required to complete the course of treatment |
| viral cold | White sticky phlegm, nasal congestion | Ambroxol, dextromethorphan | With antiviral drugs |
| allergic reaction | Transparent foamy sputum, sneezing | Loratadine, montelukast | Avoid contact with allergens |
2. Classification of expectorants and applicable scenarios
| drug type | Representative medicine | Mechanism of action | Applicable sputum characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|
| mucolytic agent | acetylcysteine | Break down sputum proteins | Thick and difficult to cough |
| irritating expectorants | Guaifenesin | Stimulate airway secretions | Dry cough with less phlegm |
| mucus regulator | carbocisteine | Regulate mucus secretion | Excessive phlegm |
3. Recently popular adjuvant therapies
According to the discussion data on health topics in the past 10 days, the following natural therapies have received relatively high attention:
| method | Usage | effectiveness | Discussion popularity |
|---|---|---|---|
| honey water | 1 cup each morning and evening | ★★★☆ | Average daily search volume: 12,000 |
| steam inhalation | 2-3 times a day | ★★★ | The short video has been played more than 8 million times |
| pear candy | Take it bucally | ★★☆ | E-commerce platform weekly sales of 50,000+ |
4. Medication contraindications and precautions
1.Medication for children: Children under 2 years old should use expectorants with caution and follow doctor’s advice.
2.Contraindications for pregnant women: Avoid using medicines containing codeine
3.drug interactions: Expectorants and antitussives should not be taken at the same time
4.Medication duration: If there is no improvement for more than 7 days, you need to seek medical treatment.
5. Latest medical advice (updated in 2023)
The Respiratory Disease Branch of the Chinese Medical Association proposed:
• Prefer single-ingredient expectorants
• Bacterial infections require medication based on sputum culture results
• Patients with chronic diseases should evaluate the impact of drugs on underlying diseases
Summary: The cause of phlegm in the upper respiratory tract needs to be clarified first. Bacterial infections require antibiotic treatment. Viral colds are mainly symptomatic. Recently, attention to natural therapies has increased, but severe symptoms should seek medical attention promptly. Pay attention to replenishing water and maintaining air humidity during medication.
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