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.
