Do flu pills that are not subscribed actually help control or even destroy some of the mucus that have managed to work its way into your longs?
o, how? Answers: Well, kind of. Over the counter mucus products are composed almost entirely of guiafenesin. Guiafenesin act along the phrenic nerve to stimulate mucus clearance. The phrenic nerve also controls vomiting. Here’s the catch: if you bring enough guiafenesin to really do much good, you’ll puke your guts out and feel MUCH worse. It DOES work, but not markedly well. There are prescription mucolytics that will actually break down the sulfide bonds or the nucleic acids in mucus (acetylcystein and dornase alfa respectively) but they stipulation to be inhaled via nebulizer and aren’t typically given for run-of-the-mill respiratory infections because of their associated complications. The two best things you can do to clear mucus are to stay well hydrated and use a steamer. Your lungs are built to produce and clear mucus. They do a good job on their own, but they function best when they’re optimally humidified. Staying well-hydrated is crucial to facilitate normal mucus clearance.
