That tickle making its way up your throat is trying to tell you something. Is it simply a reflexive cough? Or is it the beginning of something more? Something that requires a remedy? 

In the Philippines, two of the most famous brands for eliminating your cough are Ascof and Solmux. While Ascof is known as an herbal remedy, Solmux is a carbocisteine (don’t worry, we’ll explain what this means later in the article) and is also well-known for being in the market as a mucoregulator in respiratory diseases since the 1960s. Both claim efficacy and safety, but which of the two is better? 

In this article, we’re going to help you figure out which of these is right for you and your symptoms. Before we dive in, make sure to check with your doctor before blindly following our advice. While we may be experts in all things cough-related, we aren’t licensed physicians. Now, let’s get into it.

Solmux

Solmux is used to treat a phlegmy cough. It’s scientifically proven to remove both the phlegm and bacteria causing your cough. 

Solmux contains carbocisteine, a medicine that breaks up phlegm, making it less thick and sticky, and ultimately makes it easier to cough up and expel. Carbocisteine was known to have significantly reduced the ability of bacteria to adhere to human pharyngeal cells. 

Solmux is a mucolytic agent used to relieve cough characterized by excessive or sticky phlegm to help treat respiratory tract disorders such as acute bronchitis.

You can get Solmux in liquid, tablet, or pill form. All three can be taken by adults ages 12 and up. 

Solmux may bring unwanted side effects, like nausea, discomfort, and skin rashes, stomach or intestinal bleeding. In rarer cases, Solmux has caused dizziness, insomnia, headache, palpitations, mild lowering of blood glucose, dryness of mouth, abnormal heart rhythm, and gassiness. If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, consult your doctor before taking Solmux. 

Ascof 

While Solmux focuses on phlegm, Ascof was created to relieve those with a cough, the flu, a cold, or mild to moderate acute bronchitis. 

This herbal remedy is made up of lagundi powdered leaves (otherwise known as the five-leaved chaste tree). Lagundi extracts contain naturally-occurring pharmacologically active ingredients such as Chrysopleno-D, a smooth muscle relaxant; the antihistamines casticin, luteolin, isoorientin; and lagundinin, a newly-identified iridoid. This was the first natural cough brand to be launched in the Philippines. 

Lagundi extract inhibits the release of leukotrienes (a mediator in the inflamed process) from mast cells.  It is the only extensively studied cough remedy and anti-asthma herbal preparation in the Philippines. The National Integrated Research Program on Medicinal Plants (NIRPOMP) has declared the wide margin of safety and efficacy of lagundi as a cough remedy and anti-asthma medicine.

Ascof is meant to give relief of cough from common colds and the flu. It treats bronchospasm in acute bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis, and other bronchopulmonary disorders. It aims to give relief of reversible, mild-moderate bronchospasm in adults and children with obstructive airway disease. 

Its adult line is available in menthol, sugar-free menthol, and ginger syrups, as well as in both tablet and capsule formats. Its syrup for kids comes in Yummy Grape, Sweet Ponkan, and Delicious Strawberry.

Ascof side effects include itchiness, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, body malaise, and diarrhea without a predominating complaint.

Solmux vs. Ascof: Which to Choose?

At the end of the day, it depends on the cough and the symptoms you’re experiencing. While these are two very popular cough remedies in the Philippines, you can’t take one with the hopes of easing an ailment only the other can cure. Solmux is a mucolytic, and Ascof is a simple cough formula with an anti-asthma effect. Ascof won’t be effective enough if the cough involves too much phlegm in the lungs. On the contrary, Solmux is not suitable for a simple cough with asthma involved. 

Considering the formulation, Ascof is a more attractive remedy for consumers because of its herbal origin. As for relief, liquid forms of medication have faster actions and both Ascof and Solmux have these dosage forms. Although in terms of solid preparation, the Solmux capsule is better than Ascof tablet. 

Ascof has no known contraindications and has mild adverse reactions that are reported. However, like most drugs, it is used in precaution with pregnant women and lactation. Solmux, on the other hand, causes stomach upsets, thus strictly contraindicated to people with peptic ulcers, and it should also be used sparingly with the elderly who have weak lungs or asthma.

What if You’re in the United States?

You probably won’t be able to get your hands on Solmux or Ascof in the US, but some alternatives are sold at your local pharmacy. If you’ve got a cough or cold-like symptoms you may want to purchase Mucinex. This over-the-counter drug helps loosen congestion in your chest and throat, making it easier to cough out through your mouth. Mucinex is used to reduce chest congestion caused by allergies, infection, or a cold. Mucinex also helps with phlegmy coughs due to the guaifenesin in the ingredients.

Buying Guide

• Prevent that cough, cold, or flu from happening with Verishop’s H3 Hybrid Humidifier.

• If you think you’re getting sick, or to prevent yourself from getting sick, get N95 masks in bulk at Brookwood Medical. 

• But if you do think you’re getting sick, and aren’t sure if it’s the flu or simply a cold, be sure to check your temperature with iProven’s ICT Contactless Thermometer with a built-in fever indicator.

• Adagio Tea sells a sampler set of tea for people with sore or scratchy throats. That way you can sip on something soothing as you wait for your meds to kick in.

• Stay sanitized on the go with a hand sanitizer holder from 4imprint.