Best treatments for cough
10 products may treat cough, spanning FDA drug classes such as non-narcotic antitussive, opioid agonist, blood coagulation factor. The current highest-rated option is benzonatate. Ranked below by our independent recall-safety rating (rated where FDA data exists) — not medical advice; always consult a professional.
Quick answer: Of the 10 drugs we list for cough, 6 are available as lower-cost generics, spanning classes such as non-narcotic antitussive, opioid agonist, blood coagulation factor. They’re ranked by each drug’s FDA recall-safety record — not clinical effectiveness for cough — so confirm the right choice with your prescriber.
Top-rated picks for cough: 1. Benzonatate · 2. Dilaudid · 3. Dilaudid-Hp
| # | Drug | Rating | Type | Form | Class | Generic? | Pharmacy pays | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 70/100 | Prescription | Capsule | Non-narcotic Antitussive | Generic | $2 | View → | |
| 2 | 68/100 | Prescription | Injectable | Opioid Agonist | Generic | $1 | View → | |
| 3 | 68/100 | Prescription | Injectable | Opioid Agonist | Generic | $1 | View → | |
| 4 | 64/100 | Prescription | Capsule | Non-narcotic Antitussive | Generic | $2 | View → | |
| 5 | 44/100 | Prescription | Suppository | Opioid Agonist | Generic | $1 | View → | |
| 6 | Not yet rated | Over-the-counter | Suspension | — | No data | — | View → | |
| 7 | Not yet rated | Prescription | Solution | — | No data | — | View → | |
| 8 | Not yet rated | Over-the-counter | Tablet | Blood Coagulation Factor | No data | — | View → | |
| 9 | Not yet rated | Over-the-counter | Tablet | Expectorant | Generic | $0 | View → | |
| 10 | Not yet rated | Prescription | Solution | — | No data | — | View → |
Narrow by drug class
Explore the class hubs: opioid agonist · non-narcotic antitussive
Full ranking · 10 treatments
benzonatate
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Benzonatate is a non-narcotic antitussive used to treat Cough, Hiccup.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$2.12/30· 2 formsdilaudid
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Dilaudid (Hydromorphone Hydrochloride) is an opioid agonist used to treat Cough, Postoperative Pain.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$0.17· 8 forms Save up to 91% in classdilaudid-hp
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Dilaudid-Hp (Hydromorphone Hydrochloride) is an opioid agonist used to treat Cough, Postoperative Pain.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$0.17· 8 forms Save up to 91% in class
tessalon
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Tessalon (Benzonatate) is a non-narcotic antitussive used to treat Cough, Hiccup.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$2.12/30· 2 formshydromorphone hydrochloride
Boxed warningPrescriptionFDA-sourced
Hydromorphone Hydrochloride is an opioid agonist used to treat Cough, Postoperative Pain.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$0.17· 8 forms Save up to 91% in classdelsym
Over-the-counterFDA-sourced
Delsym (Dextromethorphan Polistirex) is a medication used to treat Cough.
Frequently asked
- What treats cough?
- Our catalog lists 10 products that may treat cough, based on NIH RxClass (MED-RT “may treat”) drug-classification data — not the verbatim FDA label. They're rated where FDA recall-safety data exists; the current top-rated option is benzonatate.
- What is the best-rated treatment for cough?
- By our independent recall-safety rating — not an efficacy measure — benzonatate ranks highest among the products we list for cough. Always consult a professional.
- How are these treatments ranked?
- By our independent score, currently based on FDA regulatory recall-safety data (the methodology blends additional sources as they come online). See the How we rate page.
- What types of drugs treat cough?
- Treatments for cough span FDA drug classes including non-narcotic antitussive, opioid agonist, blood coagulation factor, expectorant. Compare every option side by side, ranked by independent rating, above.
Treatment associations are derived from NIH RxClass (MED-RT “may treat”) drug-classification data — not the verbatim FDA label. This is general reference, not medical advice — always consult a licensed professional.