The main cough medicine I use (I am in Australia) contains Pentoxyverine as an active ingredient. The wikipedia article for this chemical states the outcome of reducing a cough, but curiously states no understood mechanism for this outcome:
Pentoxyverine suppresses the cough reflex in the central nervous system, but the exact mechanism of action is not known with certainty.
Wikipedia also says no clinical trials are available.
My initial research into cough medicines has turned up a whole host of skeptic websites claiming that studies show cough mixtures are ineffective at stopping a cough.
I understand that some medicines have been proven to work even though we do not understand their mechanism. But in this case the lack of an understood mechanism adds to my overall skepticism.
Does anyone know of any studies that assert whether this ingredient is effective or not?
