Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Tom Crann, Dr. Jon Hallberg and Megan Burks

Cold medicine won't cure your nagging cough

Cold medicine
Cold medicine doesn't actually cure your cough, so what do you do when it just won't quit?
Scott Olson | Getty Images 2006

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

Did you get that nagging cough this cold and flu season? Maybe you stood in the drug store aisle trying to make sense of a bewildering variety of over-the-counter cold and cough medicines.

Well, according to Jane Brody, the personal health columnist for the New York Times, that candy-colored aisle won't necessarily provide sweet relief.

"Evidence is sorely lacking for the value of any over-the-counter remedy to treat most coughs," Brody wrote in her February article, "The Case Against Cough Medicine."

So, what do you do? Dr. Jon Hallberg, medical director of the University of Minnesota Physicians Mill City Clinic, shared his advice with MPR host Tom Crann.

To hear Hallberg's take on cough medicine, including your best bet when it comes to over-the-counter medication and when to see a doctor, click play on the audio player above.