11-27-2010, 06:07 AM
The only OTC cough suppressant is dextromethorphan and about 7 years ago a major study found it to be as effective as a sugar pill = it does NOT work in reducing coughing. It's a serotonin agonist and has NO effect on the cough centers of the brain.
Thee best cough suppressants are opiates like codeine and hydrocodone.
I've had a chest cold for the last week and I called my doctor before they closed for the holidays and hinted at having them prescribe me some codeine because my coughing fits were so horrible especially at night. The nurse just said: Take some Musinex DM (which contains dextromethorphan and guaifenesin) and I said I'd been taking Robotussin and it hadn't been helping and she promised the Musinex DM would because it had different ingredients than other cough suppressants. This is a lie. All cough meds have dextromethorphan and guaifenesin or one or the other - some combined with Alcohol.
Ugh. I hate it when doctors think you're going to become a drug addict just by being prescribe a bottle of codeine cough syrup.
Anyway, Delsym contains dextromethorphan only. From their site:
"Does Delsym contain a fever reducer or pain reliever?
No. Delsym contains a single active ingredient, dextromethorphan, which controls cough."
What does help is sitting in your bathroom with the door shut while the shower runs on SUPER HOT. Sit there and breathe it all in for 20 mins or so then get your wife or significant other to lightly pound over and over on your back to help loosen the mucus - and cough it out. If it's dark green or brown see a doc immediately.
Anyway, good luck and hope you feel better soon.
Thee best cough suppressants are opiates like codeine and hydrocodone.
I've had a chest cold for the last week and I called my doctor before they closed for the holidays and hinted at having them prescribe me some codeine because my coughing fits were so horrible especially at night. The nurse just said: Take some Musinex DM (which contains dextromethorphan and guaifenesin) and I said I'd been taking Robotussin and it hadn't been helping and she promised the Musinex DM would because it had different ingredients than other cough suppressants. This is a lie. All cough meds have dextromethorphan and guaifenesin or one or the other - some combined with Alcohol.
Ugh. I hate it when doctors think you're going to become a drug addict just by being prescribe a bottle of codeine cough syrup.
Anyway, Delsym contains dextromethorphan only. From their site:
"Does Delsym contain a fever reducer or pain reliever?
No. Delsym contains a single active ingredient, dextromethorphan, which controls cough."
What does help is sitting in your bathroom with the door shut while the shower runs on SUPER HOT. Sit there and breathe it all in for 20 mins or so then get your wife or significant other to lightly pound over and over on your back to help loosen the mucus - and cough it out. If it's dark green or brown see a doc immediately.
Anyway, good luck and hope you feel better soon.