A cough will usually clear up on its own within 3 to 4 weeks.
There's usually no need to see a GP if you have a cough.
You should:
You could also try:
But there's limited evidence to show these work. Hot lemon with honey has a similar effect to cough medicines.
Some medicines and herbal treatments are not safe for everyone (for example, if you're pregnant). Always check the leaflet or speak to a pharmacist before taking them.
If you have a cough, you can ask a pharmacist about:
These will not stop your cough, but may help you cough less.
Decongestants and cough medicines containing codeine will not stop your cough.
You can call 111 or get help from 111 online.
To find out what's causing your cough, the GP might:
Antibiotics are not normally prescribed for coughs. A GP will only prescribe them if you need them – for example, if you have a bacterial infection or you're at risk of complications.
Most coughs are caused by a cold or flu.
Other causes include:
A cough is rarely a sign of something serious like lung cancer.