Most Helpful Customer Reviews
|
|
88 of 102 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
A Conflicted Product, October 29, 2005
There are so many cough formulas on the market, that it is easy to get confused on what to buy. Here is a guide:
Cough medicines are categorized as EXPECTORANTS or SUPPRESSANTS, each may be sold separately or in combination medications, like this one. They're also found in cold formulas that include pain relievers (analgesics such as acetaminophen (Tylenol)), decongestants (pseudoephedrine), and antihistamines (diphenhydramine).
This product is conflicted, in that it has a suppressant (dextromethorphan), combined with an expectorant. The purpose of an expectorant is to loosen phlem so that it can be coughed up and out. However, the addition of dextromethorphan actually suppresses the cough reflex. Thus the two medications actually work against each other, thus the 3-star rating.
(As an aside, the best cough suppressant is Codiene; however, it was taken off the market in the 1980's, due to the potential for codiene abuse. It is available only through a prescription, but I strongly advise having some codiene cough syrup in the house for those really tough coughs that prevent you from sleeping, and that have not responded to any other cough meausures).
Since so many manufacturers now combine cough medicines with many other medicines, such as Tylenol for pain, a nasal decongestant, and/or an anti-histamine, I think it is wise to select a cough medicine that has ONLY the ingredients that are appropriate for your symptoms. That way you're not wasting your money on unnecessary ingredients, you spare yourself unnecessary side effects, and you're getting only the medication that your body needs.
An EXPECTORANT works by thinning and loosening the phlegm in your lungs so that you can cough it up. GUAIFENESIN is the active ingredient. Take an expectorant with a full glass of water, as water is an excellent expectorant. Also, drink plenty of fluids if you are congested. Hot liquids, such as chicken soup, tea and honey--work especially well. Breathing humidified air also moistens and soothes irritated airways, and loosens mucous.
Cough SUPPRESSANTS work by calming the cough reflex in the brain. While it's not wise to stop a cough that produces colored phlegm (colored phlegm has bacteria in it), suppressants can relieve a dry, hacking unproductive cough. Suppressants are also helpful when you're exhausted from coughing and need to sleep. DEXTRMETHORPHAN (DM) is the most common active ingredient in nonprescription suppressants. Common suppressants containing only dextromethorphan include Benylin Adult Formula Cough and Vicks 44. Dextromethorphan has come under attack as not being effective in suppressing coughs. There is research on both sides of the issue, some that support it and others that recommend avoiding dextromethorphan. I personally have not found it effective in suppressing my coughs. Once again, the best cough suppressant is Codeine. Codeine can be helpful as a nighttime cough remedy because it has a slight sedative effect on the central nervous system. One warning, you don't want to drink alcohol when taking codiene, as both are CNS depressants and will work together additively. Limit Codiene cough suppressant to night-time (sleep-time) use only.
Throat lozenges, cough drops, hard candies, and even simple sugar syrups soothe coughs by coating the lining of the throat, thus, they are also considered suppressants. Some lozenges, such as Halls also contain specific cough suppressant medications. (Don't give lozenges to children under age 6 because they can be a choking hazard).
Researchers (2004) found that CHOCOLATE is a good cough suppressant. The ingredient in chocolate that suppresses coughs is theobromine. It takes about 7 ounces of chocolate to get adequate amounts of theobromine. If you use this method, use good dark chocolate as your chocolate source, as dark chocolate is richer in theobromine.
konedog
|
|
|
29 of 34 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This stuff works., November 21, 2005
Woke up a couple weeks back with what I thought was just the beginning of a bad cold; you know the symptoms - stuffy nose/sinuses full of 'gunk' and a persistant cough... didnt actually feel 'sick', but knew something was 'brewing'. I've seen the commercials for Mucinex that have been running lately, so, before I went to work that morning I stopped & picked a box up. I took 2 every 12 hours for about a week, and, I have to admit,this stuff really does work; My cough eased up A LOT, especially at night when it seemed to be at its worst, and, all of the 'gunk' in my sinuses really 'thinned out'. Needless to say, though, I did end up going to the doctor since the symptoms were still there. (hey, I'm a typical guy, and its true- we never like to admit we're sick - even though we are.) After listening to my chest & checking me out, he told me that I had Bronchitis, BUT, that taking the Mucinex daily had kept it from being/getting MUCH worse - he also told me to KEEP taking it until I was better - which I have. ( * A Note - I had Bronchitis about 4 years ago & it was GOD AWFUL - that's why I'm convinced that the Mucinex does work; I never once felt really 'bad/awful' this time & like I said, and my doctor confirmed, it was probably from taking this stuff on a regular/continual basis - NEEDLESS TO SAY, THOUGH!, If your symptoms DONT go away, GO AND SEE A DOCTOR!
|
|
|
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
I will buy no other!, March 9, 2007
This medicine REALLY works!! The active ingredient is very safe (this was suggested to me by my Dr. when I was pregnant) and it is the ONLY medicine that I use that is effective against deep chest congestion!! Accept no imitations--if you are trying to save a buck and buy a generic of this, I've tried them and they are ineffective. Mucinex is time released while the others aren't.
|
|
|
Most Recent Customer Reviews
|
