My MD recommended a cough syrup containing Guaifenesin which helps loosen
phlegm , thin it out and make easier to cough out. Also gave me a
prescription for a syrup containing dextromethorphan. I remember seeing a
report some years ago that studied the various materials used in cough
syrups -  the only effective agents were codeine which is a good cough
suppressant and the dextromethorphan and had the same effect the Guaifenesin
did help the mucus problem. I tried the dextromethorphan but one dose gave
me the runs. The lung specialist I saw also recommended these both.
Bob Anibal
-----Original Message-----
From: Hans van der Genugten <[log in to unmask]>
To: Multiple recipients of list PARKINSN <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Wednesday, October 21, 1998 1:41 AM
Subject: Re: PWP and cough/cold meds/sirups


>Hello Nancy and Bev,
>
>Tue, 20 Oct 1998 07:33:35 -0500 "nancy s. shlaes" <[log in to unmask]>
>wrote:
>
><<<no cure from the cough medicines, but certainly symptomatic relief.>>>
>
>That's correct, Nancy.
>
><<<a cough drop does the trick.  This is important to me!>>>
>
>Although it does the trick, the side-effects also do their trick!!
>
><<<I have still not heard from anybody as to what the problem is with
>taking MAO inhibitors (Eldepryl) with over-the-counter cough syrups:  IS
>IT A LESSENING OF THE EFFECT OF THE ELDEPRYL OR IS IT A SERIOUS THREAT
>TO THE HEALTH OF THE PWP?>>>
>
>I thought "they are especially NOT advisable for PWP" was clear enough!!
>
>AND
>
>Tue, 20 Oct 1998 07:50:22 -0700 Bev Brown <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
><<<<I wrote earlier on the list concerning the problem with cough syrups.
>Our neuro told my husband that there is NO problem taking the cough
>syrups and in some cases they actually help the PWP.  In fact he said he
>didn't even know for sure why they put the warning lablel on.>>>>
>
>Some more info:
>
>The World Health Organisation:
>"Coughmeds are no essential meds, because they do not cure anything and
also
>most of the time they do not give real relief."
>
>JAMA 1993;269:2258
>"Result of the survey was that they work very modest to nothing. But there
>is a problem with side-effects, especially with young children."
>
>GeBu 1996;30:113 and Ned.Tijdschr.Geneesk. 1997;141:826
>"The working of expectorants and emmollientia has never been proven and
also
>the much prescribed mucolytica seem no way convincing."
>"One third of the GP's prescribes mucolytica, although there is no proof
>that it works. Also 25% of the prescribing GP's has seen it's
side-effects."
>
>Mucolytica:
>Broomhexine, mercapto-ethaansulfonate, acetylcysteine, carbocisteine,
>dornase alpha.
>Ned.Tijdschr.Geneesk. 1987:1652
>"These meds have shown in a convincing way not to be effective in normally
>in human used doses."
>
>Possible side-effects:
>broomhexine: skindisorders.
>acetylcysteine: gastro-intestinal: nausea, vomiting
>                serious allergic reactions (when taken in large quantities)
>
>Other coughmeds:
>ipecacuanha, althaea, guaiacol, oxomemazine, thym, codeine, fedrilate,
>noscapine, dibunate, oxolamine, pentoxyverine, difenhydramine,
>dextromethorfan, dexchlorfeniramine, etc.
>And combinations of/with these.
>
>Sirups are for more than 50% sugar!!
>Diabetics of course can NOT use them!!
>
>Some coughmeds even contain 5% alcohol, some of which are actually
>especially meant for children!!!  8<{((((
>
>Herbal extracts:
>most of them are not pure but combined with chemicals.
>
>Pure althaea- and/or thymsirup have no side-effects.
>
>Side-effects:
>ipecacuanha: nausea and skinirritation
>
>Codeine-type coughmeds:
>Codeine is a morfine-/opiate-like chemical.
>Variations within the codeinefamily are:
>dextromethorfan, noscapine, narceine.
>
>Antihistamines used as/in coughmeds:
>Promethazine, oxomemazine, dexchlorfeniramine, difenhydramine.
>Have a sedative effect on the CNS.
>
>Asthma and cardiovasculair meds used in coughmeds:
>f.e. efedrine
>Side-effects: anxiety and tremors, high bloodpressure, high pulse.
>
>Conclusion: most over-the-counter coughmeds are combinationproducts and
have
>often a sedative compound to suppress the coughing, but in the same time it
>supresses the CNS. Why take any risk? There are simple and also cheaper
ways
>of getting a relief from coughing by first trying to snif up water with
some
>salt in it, or now and then a spoon with honey.
>
>
>Hans.
>