Do cough bottles from the chemist work?

[lynbrown]

My cold has gone into a cough, quite sore and chesty, but I dont feel ill and wont need the doctor. It wakes me up at night. Do these bottles work or are they just liquid paracetemol? Im an OAP.

[Sqad]

They may or may not contain paracetamol, but the active ingredient is either an antihistamine or codeine.

In answer to your question, no on the whole cough linctus suppressants are pretty useless, but if they contain an antihistamine then the sedative effect will give you a good nights sleep.......if you ignore the recommended dose and double it.

[lynbrown]

Hi Sqad. Why would antihistamines be in cough medicines? Not that I doubt you for a second!

[Sqad]

Because the sedatives give you at least a good night's sleep.

The other reason is that it is often difficult to distinguish between a cold and an allergy as a cause of the cough, so incorporating paracetamol and a antihistamine in a cough medicine one is backing the horse both ways.

[Sqad]

lynn....sorry should have read the sedative effects of the antihistamines give you a good night's sleep.

[lynbrown]

thanks again.

[smurfchops]

Lyn go to the doctor, make sure your chest is OK, and at least you will get a free prescription rather than pay for cough syrup that might not work !

[Old_Geezer]

I think the bottles work fine, the cough mixture is contained and does not leak out all over the shelf.

As for cough mixtures, well I can not comment on individual ones but I've yet to find one I believe worked significantly well to recommend it.

[smurfchops]

I used to buy Galloways, I liked the taste, but I think they have stopped making it.

[karenmac60]

I always find honey, glycerin and lemon linctus quite soothing.

[Eastender]

My GP once told me that simple linctus is just as good as any of the big brands, and cheaper. Although I do like Veno,s.

[David H]

I used to have a shocking overnight cough, a neighbour recommended Campbell's Cherry Flavour which did the job perfectly where all others had failed. It hasn't been on the market for years though, I think the ingredients became prescription only, but if anyone can track them down they do work.

[daffy654]

Most doctors will advise against medicines that stop you coughing as it means the mucous your body is trying to expel is sitting in your lungs festering away. They do sometimes advise expectorant/mucolytic medicines to help you shift the mucous.

[Sir Alec]

I use Covonia expectorant for chesty coughs. I tastes nice and works a treat.

[cupid04]

When i had just a tickly irritating cough I swore by Co-op's own brand
tickly coughh mixture. Unfortunately the product seems to have been
withdrawn. [I was told because of manufacturing problems] I have yet to
find one that worked so well for me. I suggest you see your doctor in case
you have a chest infection. If the cough has been lingering for some while
I think this is your best option. If you are not allergic to aspirin you could
always try one crushed in some honey and lemon. Hope you feel better
soon. I know how you feel as coughs are always worse at night, especially
as soon as you lie down.

[Sqad]

Depends:
Productive cough........one that is producing sputum.
Non productive cough.....one that is harsh, irritating and not producing sputum.

If it is productive, then no cough suppressant is required and I agree with daffy, none is needed although cough medicines containing a mucolytic agent (breaks up the mucous) is often prescribed.

Non productive coughs can indeed be debilitating and interrupt sleep patterns and often follow virus infections and may last up to 6 weeks and it is in this case the patients often look for respite from the GP.
Over the counter "cough bottles " are of limited value unless of course, as in my first post, they contain an antihistamine which, by virtue of it's sedative effect may well be effective if the recommended dose is doubled checking of course that there is no drug interaction with any ongoing medication.

When she you see your GP for cough relief?
If you feel well, as in the case of the OP then one can leave the cough for up to 5weeks before seeking medical attention.

If you don't feel well, hot, sweaty, lethargic following a cold then you should see your GP after a period of 48 hours following the onset of this change in events.