Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Are Cough Suppressants The Right Medication For Thick Phlegm?
Question: I have bad cold with coughing and spitting up thick flegm, colored some yellow, some yellowish brown and some greenish. The last time I took Robitussin for Cough+Ches CongestionDM, I had some side effects. I was dizzy upon standing up and had tingling down both arms. There are quite a few ingredients in this medication, so I don't know if any were the cause. Is there something else I can take to get the flegm to thin so I can cough it up? I am coughing so much that I can't rest much at night, so I may need a cough suppresant. Thank you, XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
acetylcysteine (mucomyst) might be useful
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Using cough suppressants when you have phlegm is not the best idea. Acetylcysteine containing drugs like Mucomyst are good mucolytic choices. The drug you took is not supposed to cause the symptoms you had.
Despite that if you had symptoms you'd better eliminate the chance that this drug caused them by stopping it. You should be examined by your doctor though because spitting colored phlegm and having serious cough may be a sign of lung infection, particularly if you've also had fever.
I hope I've helped!
You can contact me again if you'd like any clarification or further information!
Kind regards!
acetylcysteine (mucomyst) might be useful
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Using cough suppressants when you have phlegm is not the best idea. Acetylcysteine containing drugs like Mucomyst are good mucolytic choices. The drug you took is not supposed to cause the symptoms you had.
Despite that if you had symptoms you'd better eliminate the chance that this drug caused them by stopping it. You should be examined by your doctor though because spitting colored phlegm and having serious cough may be a sign of lung infection, particularly if you've also had fever.
I hope I've helped!
You can contact me again if you'd like any clarification or further information!
Kind regards!
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
People also viewed
