J Gen Intern Med

Antitussives, corticosteroids, and inhalers weren’t linked to benefits for adult outpatients with lower respiratory tract infections

January 6, 2026

Prescriptions for benzonatate, systemic corticosteroids, or albuterol inhalers weren't associated with improved duration or severity of cough—or with lower likelihood of unscheduled follow-up visits—in this prospective cohort study in adult outpatients.

Data on adult outpatients (N=718, aged 18-75 years) with suspected lower respiratory tract infection, including acute cough and 1+ lower/systemic respiratory symptom, were analyzed based on whether patients received prescriptions for benzonatate, albuterol inhalers, or systemic corticosteroids. Subjects were compared with propensity-score-matched patients who didn’t receive these prescriptions. Outcomes included duration and severity of cough, antibiotic prescriptions, and unscheduled follow-up visits.

Prescriptions received by the study population: benzonatate (23%), systemic corticosteroid (19%), albuterol inhaler (19%). In the propensity-score-matched analysis, there was no link between receiving these prescriptions and improvements in measured outcomes. However, systemic corticosteroid prescriptions were linked to increased likelihood of also receiving an antibiotic prescription (adjusted odds ratio, 1.37).

Source:

Ebell MH, et al. (2025, July 18). J Gen Intern Med. Corticosteroids, Antitussives, and Inhalers for Lower Respiratory Tract Infections in US Primary Care: A Prospective Cohort Study. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40681786/