Who should not take cough syrup or cough medicine?
Often, doctors believe that a cough from a cold should not be treated. Coughing up mucus may help keep your lungs clear. This is especially true if you smoke or have asthma or emphysema. If you take a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), a type of prescription drug used to treat depression and other conditions, it’s important to talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking dextromethorphan, commonly noted as DM on cough syrups and cough medicines. In addition, some combination cold and cough medicines contain decongestants. If you have high blood pressure or heart disease, avoid taking these medicines. Decongestants can raise blood pressure. The most important key is to understand how the cough syrup or cough medicine works. That includes knowing what the side effects are. Then talk to your doctor if you have concerns about your cough or the OTC cough medicine. Trust your doctor to make the best decision with your overall health in mind.
