need help with deep dry unproductive cough

nina&matt · March 2010

Last month I was very sick with a bad upper respiratory infection. I called my ob and he said take mucinex dm, that didnt work. So then they gave me an inhaler, and told me to take benadryl. I eventually started to feel better. But I had a dry persistent cough, it was getting slightly better and then all of a sudden its back with a vengence. My chest and back are so sore from all the hacking. I refilled my inhaler but it's not doing much good. I dont really want to call my ob, since the last time the nurse made me cry when I called about my breathing issue. I know I can take robitussin just not sure which one... Help ladies! I feel horrible!!

sarahjane.wood · March 2010

I would call your doctor. It is the nurse's job to help, not just answer the phone and be rude to you. I am a little sick too and my dr said I can take robitussin dm. Feel better.

mrsw1007 · March 2010

an inhaler does not help a cough. It helps wheezing. Your cough needs to be treated with a cough suppresant. Speak to your doctor about OTC options. Plain Robitussin is what you need to look for. Nothing with letters like DM. Mucinex only works if you are drinking lots of water and have anything to cough up.

nina&matt · March 2010

mrsw1007:
an inhaler does not help a cough. It helps wheezing. Your cough needs to be treated with a cough suppresant. Speak to your doctor about OTC options. Plain Robitussin is what you need to look for. Nothing with letters like DM. Mucinex only works if you are drinking lots of water and have anything to cough up.

Thanks for the advice. I do have tightness in my chest and back, and some rattling in there, thats why I thought the inhaler would work. Considering thats what they gave me last month when this breathing problem started. I will call the dr first thing in the morning, although Im tempted to go in to my primary care doctor, since I have a history of respiratiory issues. Thanks again!

stacyspark · March 2010

Hi saw your question and thought I could help straighten some information out; I'm a pharmacist. Mucinex DM and Robitussin DM contain the same ingredients including a cough suppressant hence the letters "DM" (stands for dextromethorphan). The difference is form and duration. You can take Robitussin (liquid) every 4-6 hours, Mucinex (tablet) is a 12 hour product. Pretty much all OTC cough suppressants are going to be dextromethorphan. Since it's a non-productive cough and you've taken it before I would stick with the Mucinex DM. Plain robitussin or mucinex contain an expectorant and will do nothing to stop a cough...only loosen or thin any mucus or congestion. You may ask your doctor if you can take Delsym which is dextromethorphan alone since you don't really need the expectorant. You may also ask if you can take Claritin or Zyrtec. This time of year, allergies kick in and alot of times can cause a dry hacking cough or tickle. Keeping some hard candy around and drinking water may also help to keep the throat coated and eliminate that tickle. I would definitely ask the doc before taking anything unless they've given you a list of meds that are ok. Since they gave you the Mucinex DM before it would probably be OK again. Depending on the ingredients in the inhaler that you were given it can help with a cough. Check with your doctor...if you are feeling tight, then I would definitely use the inhaler, if you can't breathe your baby can't either.

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