system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5: Why do we try to stop coughing by using medicine, isn't our body trying to get rid of the mucus in our lungs by coughing?
gpt
Pharmacist here:

First thing we were taught about OTC treatments of cough were that you "never suppress a productive cough." If the patient is clearing their mucus with their cough then it is productive and is making them better and we don't need to suppress it. 

That being said, there are many times when a cough suppressant is needed. 

First: Non-productive cough. Many coughs are not clearing mucus and are caused simply by irritation or inflammation in the airways. This is common in cold/flu illness. If the cough is already non-productive and the patient doesn't have chest congestion (the easiest sign of mucus in the airways). Then there is no reason not to suppress. 

Second: Sleep. Our patients aren't going to get better if they spend their whole night up coughing instead of sleeping. Sometimes it's better to suppress the cough for a few hours and let them get some sleep.

ELI5 version: Because some patients just don't want to cough.