Evidence supporting the use of: Theobromine
For the health condition: Cough (dry)

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 4

Theobromine, a methylxanthine compound found primarily in cocoa and chocolate, has scientific evidence supporting its use in the management of dry cough. Unlike codeine and other traditional antitussives, theobromine acts by inhibiting the activity of the vagus nerve, which is responsible for the cough reflex. A key study published in 2005 in the journal "FASEB" demonstrated that theobromine was more effective than codeine at suppressing capsaicin-induced cough in healthy volunteers. The mechanism is believed to be independent of the opioid pathways, reducing the risk of typical opioid side effects such as drowsiness or constipation. Additional clinical studies have confirmed these findings, showing that oral administration of theobromine can significantly reduce cough frequency and severity in both experimental and clinical settings.

Despite these promising results, theobromine is not yet widely adopted in clinical practice for cough suppression, possibly due to limited commercial formulations and a need for larger scale, long-term studies. However, the available scientific literature provides a robust basis for its efficacy as an antitussive, particularly for dry, non-productive coughs. Thus, theobromine's role in cough management is primarily supported by scientific evidence rather than traditional use.

More about Theobromine
More about Cough (dry)

Products containing Theobromine

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