Question 1

what's the difference between decongestant and expectorant?

Accepted Answer

Definitions: A decongestant prevents fluid from accumulating in a cavity of the body, as a paranasal sinus.  An expectorant make sputum more liquid in order to allow you to  cough it out.

Question 2

is it okay to combine  expectorants, antihistamines, & decongestants in one dose? any drug interactions?

Accepted Answer

Yes: There is no problem with interactions but one should be concerned about the decongestant which may raise your blood pressure and cause insomnia.

Question 3

i was carded for buying a plain ordinary bottle of cough syrup..no decongestant.just cough suppressant and expectorant. is this legal?

Accepted Answer

Legal ; required: Yes. In many states, you must be 18 to purchase an otc product that contains dextromethorphan, a common ingredient in many cough syrups. Google robo-tripping to find out why, and be thankful your kids and their friends are being kept safe.

Question 4

after a head cold for a week i'm left with a dry, unproductive cough. i've tried decongestants, antihistamines, expectorant, and nothing helps. help!

Accepted Answer

? bronchitis,: reactive airways disease, or sinusitis due to the cold that you had, causing the dry cough, you need to see your doctor for assessment, possibly Rx medications are needed as bronchodilators and may be antibiotics, best wishes

Question 5

how should a cold be treated with a heart condition? decongestants are out. is expectorant such as mucinex (guaifenesin) ok? thanks.

Accepted Answer

Cold : Rest, fluids, nutrition, in general mucin ex would be ok.

Question 6

i have high blood pressure i have asthma can i take a decongestant for a cough expectorant?

Accepted Answer

Short term :yes : Yes for a short time you may take decongestants. Not recommended for an extended treatment. Treat underlying asthma with inhaled steroids, bronchodilators. See your doctor for any prolonged symptoms.

Question 7

can i take sudafed (pseudo ephedrine only), mucinex (guaifenesin) (expectorant and decongestant), and nyquil all at once?

Accepted Answer

Probably ok: Sudafed and Mucinex (guaifenesin) certainly can be taken together and adding nyquil at bedtime is probably not harmful. Your pharmacist who knows all the ingredients and actions of these medications is very qualified to advise you,however.

Question 8

can one take mucinex (guaifenesin) (expectorant only) and sudafed decongestant (30mg) in day and nyquil before bed? is it safe..or should one be eliminated

Accepted Answer

Ok: These combinations taken as you are doing should, be ok.

Question 9

occasionally i get an odd smell in my nose, like burning hair. had sinusitis recently, just finished z-pack. used nasal decongestants, expectorant. recently started on wellbutrin, and i read that phantom smells might be sign of a seizure disorder?

Accepted Answer

Smells: the most common reason would be a sinus infection. Not a sign of impending seizure.Check with an ENT expert.

Question 10

what kind of decongestant should i take?

Accepted Answer

Decongestant: If you do not have high blood pressure or other contraindications to decongestants, you can try phenylephrine contained in certain combination antihistamines, when necessary. Better yet, sterile saline spray or Cortaid nasal spray and I understand Flonase is OTC as well. Do not use Afrin or similar sprays for more than 3 days in a row to avoid rebound congestion, addiction, mucosal damage.

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Doctor answers about:

Decongestant or expectorant

A member asked:

What's the difference between decongestant and expectorant?

A member asked:

Is it okay to combine expectorants, antihistamines, & decongestants in one dose? any drug interactions?

A member asked:

I was carded for buying a plain ordinary bottle of cough syrup..no decongestant.just cough suppressant and expectorant. is this legal?

A member asked:

After a head cold for a week i'm left with a dry, unproductive cough. i've tried decongestants, antihistamines, expectorant, and nothing helps. help!

A member asked:

How should a cold be treated with a heart condition? decongestants are out. is expectorant such as mucinex (guaifenesin) ok? thanks.

A member asked:

I have high blood pressure i have asthma can i take a decongestant for a cough expectorant?

A member asked:

Can i take sudafed (pseudo ephedrine only), mucinex (guaifenesin) (expectorant and decongestant), and nyquil all at once?

A member asked:

Can one take mucinex (guaifenesin) (expectorant only) and sudafed decongestant (30mg) in day and nyquil before bed? is it safe..or should one be eliminated

A member asked:

Occasionally i get an odd smell in my nose, like burning hair. had sinusitis recently, just finished z-pack. used nasal decongestants, expectorant. recently started on wellbutrin, and i read that phantom smells might be sign of a seizure disorder?

A member asked:

What kind of decongestant should i take?

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