Coughs are usually caused by phlegm and pollutants such as smoke or dust. Usually, coughs are short-term and seldom a sign of anything sinister. With a chesty cough, your body produces mucus which you cough up. Some of the main causes of temporary chesty coughs include:

• An upper respiratory tract infection (URTI), like the flu or common cold, that involves your windpipe, throat or sinuses.
• Worsening of a chronic illness like asthma.
• Allergies like hay fever.

Generally, you don't have to visit your doctor unless you experience the below symptoms:

• Your cough has been going on for over three weeks.
• Your cough is severe.
• You are coughing up blood.
• You are experiencing chest pain, shortness of breath or problems breathing.
• Unexplained weight loss.
• Ongoing changes in your voice.
• Swellings or bumps in your neck.

This cough mixture contains guaifenesin which belongs to a group of drugs called expectorants and helps loosen mucus in your chest. You can use it to soothe symptoms of chesty coughing, catarrh and a stuffy nose without experiencing drowsiness.

It works by loosening and thinning phlegm (mucus), so you can cough it out more comfortably.