• Less than 4 years old.
• Fever over 103 F (for adults), fever over 102 F (for ages 4-17).
• Symptoms have gotten worse or new symptoms have developed after trying a treatment with over the counter products.
• Chest pain.
• Shortness of breathe.
• Asthma, COPD or other respiratory conditions.
• Cardiovascular conditions such as heart failure, uncontrolled high blood pressure (current blood pressure over 140/90), or other heart or blood vessels conditions.
• Allergies to OTC medications.
• A cough that has lasted for more than 7 days.
• A cough that produces yellow, tan or green mucus or is secreting pus.
• The cough is likely a side effect of a drug such as lisinopril or other drugs that are ACE inhibitors.
• The cough is from inhaling irritants or foreign material into lungs.
• The cough is accompanied by chills, night sweats, weight loss or a rash.
• Swollen ankles or legs.
• Taking drugs known as MAOI inhibitors or have taken them within 14 days. MAOI's include the following drugs: Zelapar (selegiline), Nardil (phenelzine), Marplan (isocarboxazid), and Parnate (tranylcypromine).