MADISON, Wis. -- New medical guidelines find that most over-the-counter cough medicines don’t do much to alleviate coughs and may not be worth the money.

The guidelines were revised and released by the American College of Chest Physicians.

Panel chairman and pulmonary specialist Dr. Richard Irwin said, "There is no clinical evidence that over-the-counter cough expectorants or suppressants actually relieve cough."

But local doctors disagree with how some of the guidelines were worded.

"If you have something that’s not working right and you do something to make it better and you get better, it would seem to me that there’s a connection there," said Dean family physician Dr. George Benton.

The Dachels of Dane believe in cough medicine. They’ve seen results in their 8-month-old son Erik.

"It seems to work for him," said father Zack Dachel. "It helps him sleep when he has a cold or cough."

Each year roughly 30 million Americans see their doctors because of coughs.

They spend billions on non-prescription medication.

"I don’t know if it’s a waste of money," said Benton. "If you have a child, or yourself, and you're taking Nyquil or Vicks 44, and you feel better, is it placebo effect or medication effect?"

It could be an old-fashioned case of mind over matter.

"If it feels like it's working I wouldn’t worry too much about that report," said Benton. "If it feels like it's not working then I think you should probably be checked out."

The new cough guidelines recommend using older antihistamines with a decongestant like Brompheniramine and Pseudoephedrine for adult coughs.

It also said anti-inflammatory pain relievers such as Naproxen have also been effective.

But if the package indicates the medicine is non-drowsy, it’s most likely not strong enough to work on a cough.

The guidelines were written for kids over the age of 15 to adults.

Benton said the guidelines are just that, guidelines and not meant to be taken for gospel.

"I think there will be a time and place for the over-the-counters (medicines) just like there is a time and a place for the prescription cough meds," said Benton.

And it will be up to families like the Dachels to decide what is best for them.

"My personal experience shows me what works," said Dachel. "I'd keep going with it."