Cough (acute)

Respiratory · OPD · Locked · first month free

By Dr Javed Akhtar · Last reviewed 2 October 2026

Drugs on this card

Honey, Dextromethorphan (dry cough, 12 y and over), Ambroxol (thick sputum)

Advice and when to refer

Cough 2 weeks or more: Sputum NAAT (or smear) for TB, and chest X-ray (NTEP; ICMR STW 2022)

Investigations

First visit

No routine tests — Acute cough under 2 weeks without chest signs or breathlessness.

Only if indicated

Sputum NAAT (CBNAAT/Truenat) for TB — Cough of 2 weeks or more, haemoptysis, weight loss, night sweats, or a TB contact.
Chest X-ray — Cough of 2 weeks or more, chest signs, breathlessness or SpO₂ under 94%.
SpO₂ — Fast breathing or any breathlessness.

Locked

The adult dose for each drug
The child dose, where the card gives one
Indian brand names for each drug, with a link to buy

Open Cough (acute) in OPD

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