Brief Answer: Steam inhalation and proton pump inhibitors Detailed Answer: Hi, Thanks for the query. Liquid melatonin is used for regulating the sleep pattern. Aspirating it will lead to irritation of the respiratory passages. Usually in a conscious awake patient the aspiration is minimal but very irritating as vocal cords close on contact with any foreign thing. Cough is a protective reflex which is meant for protection of lower airways. Excessive coughing and contact with the syrup can lead to edema of the laryngeal inlet mucosa and vocal cords. Pleas take steam and repeat it frequently. Also take proton pump inhibitor or some ant acid. If the problem is not subsiding, do visit ER and please do not take cough suppressants yourself. In case the symptoms do not go in sometime or worsens with respiratory difficulty, you may need steroids and some antibiotics to prevent infection of lungs. But usually a small amount of aspiration (from a sip) does not warrant much intervention and steam helps. Feel free to ask another query. Regards

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