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Research ArticleOriginal Research

Menthol Cough Drops: Cause for Concern?

Danika Johnson, Robert Mead, Korey Kennelty and David Hahn
The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine March 2018, 31 (2) 183-191; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3122/jabfm.2018.02.170363
Danika Johnson
From the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine & Public Health, Madison, WI (DJ); Department of Primary Care, Bellin Health System, Green Bay (RM); College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA (KK); Department of Family & Community Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine & Public Health, Madison (DH).
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Robert Mead
From the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine & Public Health, Madison, WI (DJ); Department of Primary Care, Bellin Health System, Green Bay (RM); College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA (KK); Department of Family & Community Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine & Public Health, Madison (DH).
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Korey Kennelty
From the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine & Public Health, Madison, WI (DJ); Department of Primary Care, Bellin Health System, Green Bay (RM); College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA (KK); Department of Family & Community Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine & Public Health, Madison (DH).
PharmD, MS, PhD, BCGP
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David Hahn
From the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine & Public Health, Madison, WI (DJ); Department of Primary Care, Bellin Health System, Green Bay (RM); College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA (KK); Department of Family & Community Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine & Public Health, Madison (DH).
MD, MS
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References

  1. 1.↵
    Consumer Healthcare Products Association. Available from: https://www.chpa.org/OTCsCategory.aspx. Accessed on August 20, 2017.
  2. 2.↵
    1. Smith SM,
    2. Schroeder K,
    3. Fahey T
    . Over-the-counter (OTC) medications for acute cough in children and adults in community settings. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2014;CD001831.
  3. 3.↵
    1. Kamatou GP,
    2. Vermaak I,
    3. Viljoen AM,
    4. Lawrence BM
    . Menthol: A simple monoterpene with remarkable biological properties. Phytochemistry 2013;96:15–25.
    OpenUrlCrossRefPubMedWeb of Science
  4. 4.↵
    Menthol. Available from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menthol. Accessed on August 20, 2017.
  5. 5.↵
    1. Baibars M,
    2. Eng S,
    3. Shaheen K,
    4. Alraiyes AH,
    5. Alraies MC
    . Menthol toxicity: An unusual cause of coma. Case Rep Med 2012;2012:187039.
    OpenUrl
  6. 6.↵
    1. Paul IM,
    2. Beiler JS,
    3. King TS,
    4. et al
    . Vapor rub, petrolatum, and no treatment for children with nocturnal cough and cold symptoms. Pediatrics 2010;126:1092–9.
    OpenUrlAbstract/FREE Full Text
  7. 7.↵
    1. Abanses JC,
    2. Arima S,
    3. Rubin BK
    . Vicks VapoRub induces mucin secretion, decreases ciliary beat frequency, and increases tracheal mucus transport in the ferret trachea. Chest 2009;135:143–8.
    OpenUrlCrossRefPubMedWeb of Science
  8. 8.↵
    1. Irwin RS,
    2. Baumann MH,
    3. Bolser DC,
    4. et al
    . Diagnosis and management of cough executive summary: ACCP evidence-based clinical practice guidelines. Chest 2006;129(1 Suppl):1S–23S.
    OpenUrlCrossRefPubMedWeb of Science
  9. 9.↵
    1. Laude EA,
    2. Morice AH,
    3. Grattan TJ
    . The antitussive effects of menthol, camphor and cineole in conscious guinea-pigs. Pulm Pharmacol 1994;7:179–84.
    OpenUrlCrossRefPubMed
  10. 10.↵
    1. Morice AH,
    2. Marshall AE,
    3. Higgins KS,
    4. Grattan TJ
    . Effect of inhaled menthol on citric acid induced cough in normal subjects. Thorax 1994;49:1024–6.
    OpenUrlAbstract/FREE Full Text
  11. 11.↵
    1. Wise PM,
    2. Breslin PA,
    3. Dalton P
    . Sweet taste and menthol increase cough reflex thresholds. Pulm Pharmacol Ther 2012;25:236–41.
    OpenUrlCrossRefPubMed
  12. 12.↵
    1. Gibson P,
    2. Wang G,
    3. McGarvey L,
    4. et al
    . Treatment of unexplained chronic cough: CHEST guideline and expert panel report. Chest 2016;149:27–44.
    OpenUrl
  13. 13.↵
    1. Pratter MR
    . Unexplained (idiopathic) cough: ACCP evidence-based clinical practice guidelines. Chest 2006;129(1 Suppl):220S–221S.
    OpenUrlCrossRefPubMedWeb of Science
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The Journal of the American Board of Family     Medicine: 31 (2)
The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine
Vol. 31, Issue 2
March-April 2018
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Menthol Cough Drops: Cause for Concern?
Danika Johnson, Robert Mead, Korey Kennelty, David Hahn
The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine Mar 2018, 31 (2) 183-191; DOI: 10.3122/jabfm.2018.02.170363

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Menthol Cough Drops: Cause for Concern?
Danika Johnson, Robert Mead, Korey Kennelty, David Hahn
The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine Mar 2018, 31 (2) 183-191; DOI: 10.3122/jabfm.2018.02.170363
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  • Cough
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