For adults and children over 12 with a productive cough: Cough expectorants such as guaifenesin, ipecacuanha and squill help reduce the stickiness of the secretions in the airways, making phlegm and mucus looser and easier to cough up. Examples: Veno's Expectorant, Covonia Chesty Cough Mixture Mentholated.

For adults and children over 12 with a non-productive cough: Cough suppressants such as pholcodine, codeine and dextromethorphan help by blocking the natural coughing reflex.

Due to a change in guidance, cough linctuses containing codeine should no longer be given to anyone under 18 years. In addition, codeine linctus is prone to abuse; requests for sales should be referred to the pharmacist. Example: Robitussin Dry Cough.

Diphenhydramine is a sedating antihistamine. It is often included in cough mixtures to help suppress a cough. Because it has a sedating effect, it can be useful for people who are finding it difficult to sleep due to their dry cough. As with all sedating antihistamines, anyone taking it should be warned not to drive or operate machinery if they feel drowsy. Example: Benylin Dry Cough.

Soothing ingredients such as glycerin, honey and lemon are useful for people who can't use a cough suppressant for their dry, non-productive cough. They work by coating the back of the throat to create a soothing effect. These products often have a high sugar content and may therefore not be suitable for people with diabetes. Example: Veno's Honey and Lemon, Veno's Cough Syrup.

For children under 12 years: Other than simple cough syrups that contain glycerol, honey or lemon, cough and cold medicines should not be given to children under six years. This is because they have been shown to cause side effects, such as allergic reactions and sleep problems. There are products available for children aged six to 12 years, but these should be sold under the supervision of a pharmacist.

Recommended advice for children under six with a cough and/or cold includes:

• Drink plenty of fluids and rest
• For aches, pains and a fever that cause distress, paracetamol or ibuprofen at a suitable dose can be used
• Have a warm drink of lemon and honey
• Take a simple cough syrup that contains glycerol, honey or lemon
• For young babies, particularly those who are having difficulty feeding, saline nasal drops or sprays are available to help thin and clear nasal secretions. Nasal aspirators which 'suck' out mucus can also be used.