expectorant only! (congestion, prescription, chest, cough)

[Deserterer]

I have the worst chest congestion I've had in many years. It was productive at first, now it isn't, but the congestion remains. I never use OTC meds but since it has become quite uncomfortable I drove down to the store only to find...they have dozens of cough meds but they all contain expectorant AND cough suppressant (and usually other crap I don't want too). Why? WTH? I don't want my cough suppressed, I want it to produce so I can clear out my drowning lungs! Jiminy Crickets I'm dying and I left with nothing but honey, which I guess is also an expectorant AND A SUPPRESSANT!



I don't understand why there are no OTC expectorants without suppressants. The two work against each other. if you suppress cough, you can't expel the crap that the expectorant is supposed to loosen. What am I missing?

[reed303]

Look here for a list of about 20 brand names for expectorants aka guaifenesin

https://www.drugs.com/drug-class/expectorants.html

[Deserterer]

Originally Posted by reed303

Look here for a list of about 20 brand names for expectorants aka guaifenesin

https://www.drugs.com/drug-class/expectorants.html

Read first post. They all have SUPPRESSANTS TOO!


Robitussin, mucinex, generic...every single one of them at the store had both. It was the pharmacy section of my grocery store, which has a real pharmacy.

[KaraG]

I totally understand! Expectorants were the only type of cough medicine I ever bought. I have also had a hard time finding them the last few years.

[elnina]

Plain Guaifenesin is currently the only expectorant approved by the U.S. Food and FDA.

This Mucinex is just plain Guaifenesin. (600mg)
https://www.amazon.com/Mucinex-Conge.../dp/B005LEMQOS

Or this plain Guaifenesin (1200 mg)
https://www.amazon.com/Amazon-Basic-...ref=mp_s_a_1_3

[Deserterer]

Originally Posted by elnina

Plain Guaifenesin is currently the only expectorant approved by the U.S. Food and FDA.

This Mucinex is just plain Guaifenesin.
https://www.amazon.com/Mucinex-Conge.../dp/B005LEMQOS

But its not at my store.

[mike1003]

Originally Posted by Deserterer

Read first post. They all have SUPPRESSANTS TOO!


Robitussin, mucinex, generic...every single one of them at the store had both. It was the pharmacy section of my grocery store, which has a real pharmacy.

WRONG! All come with plain Guaifenesin. Only the DM form comes with Dextromethorphan, a cough suppressant!


So buy Mucinex for expectorant or Mucinex DM for suppressant plus suppressant. Same for Robitussin or generics!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[elnina]

Originally Posted by Deserterer

But its not at my store.

They can be bought OTC in many stores with a health section. Otherwise order online.

What store you use?
Walmart has it

[mike1003]

Originally Posted by Deserterer

But its not at my store.

Ask pharmacy, or go to another store

[fluffythewondercat]

I wouldn't bother with an expectorant. I'd buy a nebulizer (no prescription needed) and ask my PCP for a prescription for 7% hypertonic saline. That should bring up the crap in your lungs.