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Cough with little mucus and appetite and
I have been taking TB medicine for 13 days but my cough is still the same and I've lost the appetite.
Can you please give me a medicine for cough relief and increase appetite and weight gain.
Answers (9)
continue your prescribed dose and give time for the bacteria to clear. Loss of appetite is a common side effect . Focus on a high protein, high calorie diet like eggs, milk, lentils, nuts and eat small, frequent meals throughout the day. You should keep checking your liver every 10 days repeat LFT. Warm drinks can help by thinning mucus to ease coughing.
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Effect of anti t.b meds will be seen after 4 to 6 weeks, appetite will also improve gradually.
Till then you can take tusq dx cough syp 5m.l. every 8hours for cough, tab practin 25mg morning and evening for a week for improvement in appetite.
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DO U THINK IN 13 DAYS TREATMENT EVERY SYMPTOMS WITH WEIGHT GAINIS POSSIBLE??
NO
IT TAKES 2TO 4 WEEKS.
YET FOR COUGH
ZERODOL SP THREE TIMES A DAY AFTER FOOD FOR FIVE DAYS.
MONTEK LC ONE AT NIGHT AFTER DINNER FOR 5 DAYS.
AMBRODIL S SYR 5ML TWICE N 10ML AT NIGHT FOR FIVE DAYS.
CONTINUE PRESCRIPTION GIVEN BY TREATING DOCTOR.
YOU NEED LOT OF PATIENCE.
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You are only 13 days into anti-tuberculosis therapy, so it’s too early to expect major symptom relief. In Tuberculosis, cough can take 2–4 weeks (sometimes longer) to start improving.
Loss of appetite is also very common in early TB and due to the medications themselves.
Next Steps
• Continue full TB treatment strictly (do NOT stop or skip doses)
• For cough relief:
– Steam inhalation 2–3 times/day
– If dry irritating cough persists, doctor may prescribe a stronger suppressant (avoid self-medicating heavily)
• For appetite:
– Add Cyproheptadine (appetite stimulant) if needed after doctor advice
– Small frequent meals instead of large meals
• If no improvement after 3–4 weeks, consult your doctor to reassess
Health Tips
• High-protein diet: eggs, dal, paneer, chicken
• Add calorie-dense foods: bananas, nuts, milk
• Stay well hydrated
• Take medicines after light food if allowed to reduce nausea
• Avoid oily/spicy food if it worsens appetite
⚠️ Red flags:
• Persistent fever
• Worsening cough or breathlessness
• Vomiting preventing medicine intake
⸻
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Persistent cough:
This can take 2–4 weeks (or longer) to start improving, even when treatment is working.
• Loss of appetite & weight:
Very common in TB and can also be a side effect of TB medicines.
Continue TB medicines strictly
• Take them exactly as prescribed
• Do not skip doses
• Do not stop early, even if you feel better
Next Steps
Your symptoms can still be normal at day 13, but
• You need a doctor review, especially for appetite and weight loss
• Do not self-prescribe medicines
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