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Written By Veda Maddala , M Pharmacy
Reviewed By Dr Aneela Siddabathuni , MPharma., PhD
Last Updated Oct 9, 2024 | 12:38 PM IST
Nill Cough Syrup is used to treat cough. It works by increasing the volume of fluid in the airways, blocking the action of histamine, and facilitating the removal of phlegm. In some cases, this medicine may cause side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth, nervousness, stomach pain, diarrhoea, or constipation. Let the doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, taking any other medication, or have any pre-existing medical conditions.
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About Nill Cough Syrup

Nill Cough Syrup belongs to a class of medications called ‘expectorants’ used to treat cough. Coughing (dry or productive) is the body’s way of clearing irritants (like allergens, mucus, or smoke) from airways and preventing infection. There are two types of coughs, namely: Dry cough and chesty cough. A dry cough is tickly and doesn't produce any vicious or thick mucus, while a chesty cough (wet cough) means mucous or sputum is produced to help clear your airways. 

Nill Cough Syrup is a combination of four drugs, namely: Ammonium chloride (expectorants), Diphenhydramine (antihistamine), Sodium citrate (mucolytic), and menthol (cooling agent). Ammonium chloride belongs to the class of expectorants that works by increasing the volume of fluid in the airways, reduce the stickiness of mucus, and helps to remove it from airways. Diphenhydramine belongs to the class of antihistamines (anti-allergic drugs) that works by blocking the action of histamine, a substance responsible for causing allergic reactions. Sodium citrate is a mucolytic agent (cough/sputum thinner) that works by thinning and loosening phlegm (mucus) in the lungs, windpipe, and nose. Thereby, it helps to cough out easily. Menthol is a cooling agent that produces a cooling sensation and provides relief from minor throat irritation.

Take Nill Cough Syrup as prescribed by your doctor. You are advised to take Nill Cough Syrup for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you based on your medical condition. In some cases, you may experience drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth, nervousness, stomach pain, diarrhea, or constipation. Most of these side effects of Nill Cough Syrup do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.

If you are allergic to Nill Cough Syrup or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. Nill Cough Syrup is not recommended for children below 2 years of age unless advised by a doctor. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, it is advised to inform your doctor before using Nill Cough Syrup. Nill Cough Syrup should be used with caution in elderly patients due to the increased risk of side effects. Drive only if you are alert as Nill Cough Syrup may cause dizziness. You are recommended to avoid alcohol consumption with Nill Cough Syrup as it may increase drowsiness or dizziness.

Uses of Nill Cough Syrup

Treatment of Cough

Medicinal Benefits

Nill Cough Syrup contains Ammonium chloride, Diphenhydramine, Sodium citrate, and menthol used to treat cough. Ammonium chloride is an expectorant that increases the volume of fluid in the airways, reduces the stickiness of mucus, and helps to remove it from the airways. Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine (anti-allergic drug) that blocks the action of histamine, a substance responsible for causing allergic reactions.  It helps to provide relief from symptoms of allergy such as sneezing, running nose, watery eyes, itching, swelling, and congestion or stiffness. Sodium citrate is a mucolytic agent (cough/sputum thinner) that works by thinning and loosening phlegm (mucus) in the lungs, windpipe, and nose. Thereby, it helps to cough out easily. Menthol is a cooling agent that produces a cooling sensation and provides relief from minor throat irritation.

Directions for Use

Take Nill Cough Syrup with or without food as advised by your doctor. Shake the bottle well before use. Take the prescribed dose by mouth using the measuring cup/dosing syringe/dropper provided by the pack.

Storage

Store in a cool and dry place away from sunlight

Side Effects of Nill Cough Syrup

  • Drowsiness
  • Dizziness
  • Dry mouth
  • Nervousness
  • Stomach pain
  • Diarrhoea
  • Constipation

Drug Warnings

If you are allergic to Nill Cough Syrup or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. Nill Cough Syrup is not recommended for children below 2 years of age unless advised by a doctor. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, it is advised to inform your doctor before using Nill Cough Syrup. Nill Cough Syrup should be used with caution in elderly patients due to the increased risk of side effects. Avoid using Nill Cough Syrup if you have taken medicines such as linezolid, phenelzine, selegiline, rasagiline, isocarboxazid, tranylcypromine, and methylene blue injection in the past 14 days. If you have asthma, inform your doctor before taking Nill Cough Syrup. Drive only if you are alert as Nill Cough Syrup may cause dizziness. You are recommended to avoid alcohol consumption with Nill Cough Syrup as it may increase drowsiness or dizziness. Drink plenty of fluids while taking Nill Cough Syrup to loosen mucus.

Drug Interactions

Drug-Drug Interaction: Nill Cough Syrup may interact with a blood thinner (warfarin), antibiotic (chloramphenicol), medicines containing propantheline or metoclopramide, anticonvulsants (pregabalin).

Drug-Food Interaction: Nill Cough Syrup may interact with alcohol. Therefore, avoid the consumption of alcohol with Nill Cough Syrup as it may increase the risk of adverse effects such as drowsiness or dizziness.

Drug-Disease Interaction: If you have asthma, glaucoma, bladder problems (urinary retention), prostate problems, liver or kidney disease, inform your doctor before taking Nill Cough Syrup.

Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List

  • WARFARIN
  • CHLORAMPHENICOL
  • PREGABALIN
  • PROPANTHELINE
  • METOCLOPRAMIDE

Habit Forming

No

Diet & Lifestyle Advise

  • Avoid dairy products such as milk as they may increase mucus production. Also, avoid processed or refined foods to have relief from cough. Instead, replace baked foods, fried foods, white bread, white pasta, French fries, sugary desserts and chips with green leafy vegetables.
  • Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dry throat while you have a cough and loosen mucus.
  • Avoid citrus fruits as they may worsen the cough. Eat fruits rich in water content such as pears, watermelon, peaches and pineapples.

Special Advise

If the symptoms persist or worsen after using Nill Cough Syrup for 1 week, please consult a doctor.

Disease/Condition Glossary

Cough: Coughing is the body’s way of clearing irritants (like allergens, mucus, or smoke) from airways and preventing infection. Coughs may be dry or productive. A productive cough (wet cough) brings up sputum (phlegm, mucus, and other matter) from the lungs. Cough is commonly caused as a response to allergy or viral infection but coughing up mucus is possibly an indication of infection in the respiratory tract. If you are coughing thick, solid white mucus, it indicates you may have a bacterial infection in the airways. If the mucus is clear or light-colored, it indicates you may have allergies or a minor infection in the respiratory tract and yellow or green mucus indicates a respiratory infection.

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Alcohol

Unsafe

Avoid consumption of alcohol with Nill Cough Syrup as it may increase drowsiness or dizziness.

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Pregnancy

Caution

Nill Cough Syrup is given to pregnant women only if the doctor thinks benefits outweigh risks. Please consult a doctor if you are pregnant.

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Breast Feeding

Caution

Nill Cough Syrup may be excreted in human milk. Therefore, Nill Cough Syrup is given to breastfeeding mothers only if the doctor thinks benefits are greater than risks.

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Driving

Caution

Nill Cough Syrup may cause dizziness in some people. Therefore, drive only if you are alert after taking Nill Cough Syrup.

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Liver

Caution

Take Nill Cough Syrup with caution, especially if you have a history of Liver diseases/conditions. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required.

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Kidney

Caution

Take Nill Cough Syrup with caution, especially if you have a history of Kidney diseases/conditions. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required.

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Children

Caution

Nill Cough Syrup is not recommended for children below 2 years of age unless advised by a doctor.

Country of origin

India
Other Info - NI87604

Author Details

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FAQs

Nill Cough Syrup contains Ammonium chloride, Diphenhydramine, Sodium citrate and menthol. Ammonium chloride is an expectorant that increases the volume of fluid in the airways, reduce the stickiness of mucus and helps to remove it from airways. Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine (anti-allergic drug) that blocks the action of histamine, a substance responsible for causing allergic reactions. It helps to provide relief from symptoms of allergy such as sneezing, running nose, watery eyes, itching, swelling, and congestion or stiffness. Sodium citrate is a mucolytic agent (cough/sputum thinner) that works by thinning and loosening phlegm (mucus) in the lungs, windpipe and nose. Thereby, helps to cough out easily. Menthol is a cooling agent that produces a cooling sensation and provides relief from minor throat irritation.
Nill Cough Syrup may cause dry mouth as a temporary side effect in some people. It is not necessary for everyone taking Nill Cough Syrup to experience this side effect. However, to avoid such side effects, drink plenty of water, regularly rinse your mouth, practice good oral hygiene and suck on sugarless candy. However, if the condition persists or worsens, please consult a doctor.
Nill Cough Syrup may cause drowsiness or dizziness. It is not necessary for everyone taking Nill Cough Syrup to experience this side effect. However, avoid driving if you feel drowsy or dizzy after taking Nill Cough Syrup.
You are recommended to take Nill Cough Syrup for as long as your doctor has prescribed it. However, if the symptoms persist or worsen with rash, fever or persistent headache after 1 week of using Nill Cough Syrup, please consult your doctor.
You are not recommended to stop taking Nill Cough Syrup without consulting your doctor as it may worsen cough or cause recurring symptoms. Therefore, take Nill Cough Syrup for as long as your doctor has prescribed it and if you experience any difficulty while taking Nill Cough Syrup, please consult your doctor.

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