What's your favorite cough medicine?

[Spryte]

I haven't used any for years. Kids don't use it either - kids. Plus asthma.

 

But I must sleep. 3 nights of nonstop coughing, ugh. Doc offered something with codeine, but I'm allergic, and declined. I've been using Delsym.

 

Are there better options?

[6packofun]

Chestal by Boiron.  There is a honey one mainly for cough and coating the throat and another one for more cold symptoms like congestion.  Both come in adult and children's versions and we've used them all!  These are natural and so they may be gentler than you need, but we were surprised at how effective they are.  Plus, you can take the children's honey version every 2 hours, which is nice.  No alcohol or other junk in them.  You'd have to check dosages of the other ones; they may be less often, don't remember.

 

http://www.vitacost.com/productResults.aspx?N=0&ss=1&Ntt=chestal

[Ottakee]

If it is asthma triggered then inhalers and if needed steroids. Cough medicines per say don't help me.

[Spryte]

If it is asthma triggered then inhalers and if needed steroids. Cough medicines per say don't help me.

I have an upper respiratory infection, pretty sure that's the cause.

[J-rap]

It depends on if it's a loose cough or not.  If it's not a loose cough, then I'd only take a product that ends in "tussin" (like Robitussin") because that helps loosen it, which is what you need to do (as opposed to drying it out).  You can take the maximum amount and probably even more, because it's actually very mild (in the pure "tussin" form).  

 

If it's already very loose (so you're coughing up a lot of phlegm), then I'd take a general flu medicine, because that actually does the opposite:  it dries things up so that you don't get that tickle and you can sleep. 

 

In either case, I'd add an extra pillow so that my head is elevated.  A hot bath or shower before sleep plus Vicks VapoRub on my chest and under my nose sometimes helps too.

 

However, I'm not a doctor.  These are just my own experiences.   :)

 

Hope you sleep better!

[candicane]

I usually use Nyquil, but sometimes I take something that's like Robitussin, but it begins with a Wal. It's from Walgreens, so I assume it's their brand.

[Spryte]

Thanks! I will be begging DH to hit the drug store tomorrow. For now I'm propped on a mountain of pillows, dreaming of sleep.

[Suzanne in ABQ]

Mucinex DM.  It has an expectorant, to loosen the phlegm, and a cough suppressant to calm the pinched, hacking non-productive annoying cough.  Take it with plenty of water.  (Note, the extra strength isn't really any better than the regular strength, especially if you've never taken it before).  The time release is awesome for overnight.  12 hour is good for me.  

 

[Pawz4me]

We aren't normally drinkers but we keep a bottle of whiskey on hand for making hot toddies when we have a bad cough. It works much better than OTC cough medicine. Honey works sometimes for mild coughs.

[trulycrabby]

Coricidin cough and cold tablets.

[SamanthaCarter]

Cough suppressant is generally not a good idea when you have asthma. I usually just stick with expectorant. And a cough drop if I can't stand the coughing anymore. 

[AmandaVT]

I make a glass of super hot water, mixed with lemon juice and honey. That seems to help my coughs more than cough syrup. 

 

Hope you feel better soon!!

[theelfqueen]

Delsym or Nyquil

[Katy]

If codeine is off limits, I'd combine Mucinex with bourbon.

[Spryte]

If codeine is off limits, I'd combine Mucinex with bourbon.

Ha! That was exactly my plan for tonight. :D

 

All I need to do is check for interactions, and DH is out to shop.

[aaplank]

Another vote for Delsym

[Spryte]

Another vote for Delsym

That's what I've been using. :(

 

I do seem to have gotten one hour of sleep last night. Thus is one of those times that having a sleep tracker is depressing.

[Ravin]

Nyquil

 

However, the Mucinex and Bourbon combination has promise.

[zoobie]

Honey, lemon, and bourbon. Lots of bourbon.

[JoJosMom]

Honey for the cough.  Mucinex for the gunk.

[Guest]

Delsym.

 

Or a hot toddy.

 

Not in that order, preferentially

[Spryte]

Thanks, all!

 

DH arrived home, and I'm going to start with Mucinex DM.

 

If that doesn't work, I'll move on to honey and lemon, with bourbon if it's not going to interact with the Mucinex DM.

 

Determined to get some sleep.

 

Anyone else have the brutal virus that's apparently running rampant in VA? Most of our friends' families have had at least one member down with it. It's vicious.