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. >