It’s more acceptable to fart in public than cough these days...

January 3, 2022 8:01 AM

I have a brutal cough, but otherwise feel completely fine. It's not covid. Multiple PCR tests have said so. I need to suppress this cough so I can at least go to the drugstore and run some other critical errands. I need all the best cough suppression strategies you've got please!

I have an appointment with my doc to figure out what it is later this week, but after 2 weeks of self-isolation and ruined holidays I need to leave my house. I will be masked up of course, all the covid protocols, but would really really like to not be coughing in public and freaking people out. Other than this cough, I really feel fine. My first stop will be a well stocked drug store (in BC, Canada, if that matters) and I will buy the store out if need be.

I've been using cough drops but cough syrup seems to make me want to vomit. That said, if there's a brand you swear by, I'm willing to give it a go (my brain knows it's all the same stuff, but whatever, I'm desperate). I just need to stop coughing for 2 hours at a time.

Please help!

posted by cgg to Health & Fitness (39 answers total)

Can you get delivery or have a friend drop off some cough suppressants? That way you can try multiple ones and see what’s less barfy.
posted by chesty_a_arthur at 8:04 AM on January 3, 2022

You want a cough suppressant syrup. In the US it would be Delsym, in Canada it seems like it would be something called BENYLIN.
posted by Medieval Maven at 8:06 AM on January 3, 2022 [1 favorite]

I think it depends on where you're coughing from - is it a deep, productive cough, or is it from a dry throat/postnasal drip?

If it's the former, I would get an expectorant and try to cough up as much as possible before you need to go out, so your lungs are on a break.

If it's the latter, a numbing throat spray can minimize the tickle that urges you to cough.

In either case, warm, moist air (i.e., hot shower) can help sooth the irritated airways for a bit.
posted by DoubleLune at 8:06 AM on January 3, 2022 [3 favorites]

It's probably one of the ickier cough syrups so YMMV, but Delsym is the only one that has ever consistently actually suppressed coughing for me for any length of time. I usually do that with a round of Throat Coat tea to give me a few hours of relief.
posted by greta simone at 8:06 AM on January 3, 2022 [3 favorites]

Have you been using mentholated cough drops? A lot of cough drops today are generic "herbal" or honey drops and that's not strong enough. Constant sucking on a strong menthol-lyptus cough drop helped my tickle throat bronchitis coughs.

There is some evidence that frequent use of menthol cough drops can increase the length of time that coughing lasts but one afternoon of use should be fine.
posted by muddgirl at 8:07 AM on January 3, 2022 [1 favorite]

I have dealt with chronic coughing because of a particular issue and I agree that you want Delsym. (You might actually need an inhaler via your doc, but Delsym is the over-the-counter thing you can get ASAP.)
posted by BlahLaLa at 8:09 AM on January 3, 2022

I vaguely recall that Canada might have recently banned the sale of over-the-counter codeine, but talk to the pharmacist and ask them specifically what's available for cough suppression without a prescription but not necessarily on the shelf.
posted by jacquilynne at 8:26 AM on January 3, 2022 [1 favorite]

Dextromethorphan is the cough suppressant I swear by; it looks like that’s the active ingredient in Delsym cough syrup. At least in the US, dextromethorphan is also available in gelcap or tablet form.

A note: it is supposed to not be psychoactive at medicinal doses, although it effects people differently. I find myself less capable/aware/focused when I take it (I personally wouldn’t drive, but I’m fine to do most other things), but ymmv.

I also second an expectorant if your cough is productive; guaifenesin is the most common one here, and it too is available in tablet form.
posted by CtrlAltDelete at 8:28 AM on January 3, 2022 [3 favorites]

The only things that ever worked to actually stop me coughing were cough syrup with codeine (which, high barfy factor tbh), and tessalon perles. Both of these are prescription-only in the US but not sure in Canada, but I have been able to call my doc in desperation and get scripts called in, as long as I promised to follow up soon. Since you already have a follow-up, they might be willing!
posted by We put our faith in Blast Hardcheese at 8:29 AM on January 3, 2022 [2 favorites]

I would try honey—there are clinical studies showing it to be as effective as some cough syrups.

Equal parts whiskey, honey, and fresh-squeezed lemon juice always seems to do the trick for me when I’ve got a cough.
posted by vitout at 8:38 AM on January 3, 2022 [2 favorites]

Yup to the comments from CtrlAltDelete and We put our faith in Blast Hardcheese. If your doctor can call in a prescription the Tessalon Perles (generic: Benzonatate) are tiny and powerful, and if you can't get a prescription look for Dextromethorphan in gelcap form to avoid problems with syrups.
posted by fedward at 8:40 AM on January 3, 2022 [2 favorites]

Try wearing your mask inside at home first - I find that when I am wearing one, the urge to cough is decreased. Perhaps that is my own humidity helping my airways.
posted by rozcakj at 8:41 AM on January 3, 2022 [1 favorite]

Seconding honey -- just eat a teaspoon of it on a spoon. Outcomes as good or better than "standard care": https://ebm.bmj.com/content/26/2/57
posted by brainmouse at 8:41 AM on January 3, 2022 [1 favorite]

+1 for codeine, the only thing that has ever truly stopped my coughing in its tracks. I have had decent luck contacting my doc and asking them to phone in a prescription without seeing me.
posted by anderjen at 8:43 AM on January 3, 2022

I have a sinus infection and the connected cough has had me cringing in public all week. I got some Vicks Vapodrops in menthol--they're the best cough drop I've tried, and the taste isn't unpleasant; the menthol just sort of makes your whole mouth numb.
posted by assenav at 8:56 AM on January 3, 2022

Be careful about driving if you're taking cough suppressants. Some of them can cause drowsiness, so just a headsup in case you're driving while running errands.
posted by essexjan at 8:58 AM on January 3, 2022 [2 favorites]

I would start with some Hall's cough drops, and then move on to OTC Robitussen DM cough syrup, and finally some old prescription cough syrup I have containing codeine.

I also second an expectorant if your cough is productive; guaifenesin is the most common one here, and it too is available in tablet form.

This is contrary to my experience -- I reach for my guaifenesin pills when I have a dry, unproductive cough. Those pills loosen up my stiff old lungs. Note that as a long-time smoker, my cilia are probably all gone, so YMMV; but despite the common opinion, at least in my case, mucus is my friend.
posted by Rash at 9:17 AM on January 3, 2022 [1 favorite]

And let me note that I don't use Hall's anymore, myself -- now I prefer those Nin Jiom cough drops, from Taiwan
posted by Rash at 9:30 AM on January 3, 2022

Be careful with OTC cough medicine (don't take more than recommended, and if you take any other medicine, check that it's okay to combine). Someone I know ended up in the hospital because of mixing cold medicines accidentally.
posted by pinochiette at 9:32 AM on January 3, 2022 [2 favorites]

I agree that codeine is what works if you can get it prescribed, but you shouldn't drive after taking it, so don't use it to keep the cough quiet on errands. Take it before bed to give your throat a rest and give your inflammation a chance to settle down. If you video call your doctor's office with an audibly bad cough they may be willing to prescribe without seeing you in person if you are not a person with a history of opiate-seeking doctor visits.

If you just need to be out and about, cough drops should get you through with minimal coughing. I went to see a Broadway show with one of the worst coughs of my life (obviously pre-covid) and just filled my purse with cough drops and kept one in my mouth the whole show. I like Luden's as I find menthol irritating when I have a bad cough, and it unfortunately is the active ingredient in most cough drops. And they taste good :) But you have to just chain them together for them to work - the second you stop, the cough is back. So if you are planning to be someplace for a while you may need to take off your mask to take another one.
posted by potrzebie at 9:37 AM on January 3, 2022

I had a persistent cough after moving to a new medication, but after changing to another, I still coughed a lot. It was like a frequent irritation in the throat that I had to cough to relieve, multiple times per hour, went through a lot of cough drops. I've had coughing due to allergies but my usual go to didn't seem to work.

After describing it this way, my doctor suggested that I had post-nasal drip and recommended Zyrtec and Flonase. After a some days of taking these, I barely cough now.. I haven't coughed in the past few days anyway.

If you can describe the type of cough that you have, like where you feel it is starting from, maybe your doctor can prescribe something that will work better for you.
posted by Seboshin at 9:39 AM on January 3, 2022 [2 favorites]

Codeine - cough suppression was one of the large targets for the original development of opioids. Heroin has an interesting history.

In Canada, you can get codeine (+acetaminophen + caffeine - the acetaminophen is there to make sure you damage your liver before you can get high) over the counter without a prescription, but you do have to ask a pharmacist for it.

If you feel weird (because "cold water extraction" is a thing), just say it's for your mortifying cough. They'll understand.
posted by porpoise at 9:45 AM on January 3, 2022 [1 favorite]

These sore throat lozenges from Shoppers Drug Mart contain Benzocaine.
That'll numb a scratchy throat and reduce cough trigger.
Just make sure to check ingredients for Benzocaine as there are a number of similar products.
posted by yyz at 10:25 AM on January 3, 2022

I second writing something like 'BRONCHITIS' or 'ASTHMA'* on your mask, to let people that it's not due to a contagious source.

*Asthma isn't always wheezing; there is a cough variant of the disease. It's also short, people know what asthma is, and it's known to not be contagious.
posted by spinifex23 at 10:51 AM on January 3, 2022 [2 favorites]

To clarify, acetaminophen has a lower solubility in cold water than codeine - more codeine dissolves in cold water so the coffee filter will catch the undissolved stuff.

Even doing it properly, you can still get too much acetaminophen.

Codeine is a pro-drug and requires the body's CYP2D6 to convert it to morphine. I'm a slow metabolizer so codeine does nothing for me, but morphine works just fine.
posted by porpoise at 11:04 AM on January 3, 2022

Seconding Throat Coat tea! There are several brands that carry it - it's the echinacea that you want. Besides drugz, it's the only thing that has truly subdued the worst of my coughs in the past (hot water and honey doesn't do anything for me).
It's seriously some amazing magic relief - I usually brew myself a huge thermos of it, and take small sips every time I feel the urge to cough. (And has the added bonus of helping you stay hydrated). It coats your throat in what I can only describe it as a warm, slimy, comforting hug. Plus it's a cheap and easy solution to have on hand in the pantry.
posted by blueberrypuffin at 11:21 AM on January 3, 2022

I find proactive throat lozenges to be helpful -- I have one before I feel any scratch or itch coming on.

Might be worth looking up your vaccine record from the last ten years or so and checking for pertussis/whooping cough, and also checking your local health department to see if there have been any recent outbreaks in your area (maybe pre-pandemic?). There have been some in BC the past few years. You don't necessarily have a strange-sounding cough as an adult. Our childhood vaccines wear off.

I mention this because when I moved to Portland, Oregon several years ago and had a cough that wouldn't go away, my doctor said it was likely pertussis, and you aren't that far away, and it does seem to be on the rise.
posted by bluedaisy at 11:22 AM on January 3, 2022 [1 favorite]

For what it's worth, I have coughed and had to cough myself a bunch in the last several months and generally people just ignore it, at least where I am. So my advice would be to just not worry about it too much—I understand what you're trying to do and I think it's very congenial of you, but cough suppressants generally don't work all that well and I wouldn't want to stress you out beyond your capacity for doing something about it. My personal plan would just be to keep my N95 on, make a show of coughing into the crook of my elbow, and if someone does ask me about it (which has never happened to me, and which I have never done) just say "hey I took a million PCR tests, it's not COVID, sorry to bother you."
posted by Polycarp at 11:28 AM on January 3, 2022 [2 favorites]

I'm an asthma and sinus sufferer. Codeine and cough suppressants have never worked on me, and my coughing has been to the point where I've strained the cartilage between my ribs with coughing. It hurt so much....

The only meds that have ever worked are the Tessalon Perles (generic: Benzonatate) that fedward mentioned. They made me super sleepy too, so I wouldn't drive on them. I keep them in the house always.

Hot toddy with warm honey, ginger, red chile and bourbon helped too. But also... no driving.
posted by answergrape at 11:39 AM on January 3, 2022 [2 favorites]

I swear by hot water. Nothing added to it, as hot as you can stand. And lifesavers or similar hard candy. The hot water seems to break the cough cycle, the candy keeps mouth wet. I do use dequadin or other cough drops, but find my mouth goes numb, so I tend to sucks 3-4 lifesavers for everyone other.

That's what I always use when I'm not contagious, but have a remnant cough, and need to be in the office.
posted by Ftsqg at 12:00 PM on January 3, 2022

I find that chronic coughing can be related to gastric reflux. Like the irritation is coming from below in my esophagus maybe. When I start coughing like that I start in on a 14 day regimen of Omeprazole (generic for Prylosec).
posted by jasper411 at 12:12 PM on January 3, 2022 [1 favorite]

The only time I got a script for coughing, Tessalon Perles were a life-saver. I saved the extras like an amulet.

Short of that, hot lemonade was my mom's fix and I still enjoy it when I have a sore throat, or to get off to sleep when my throat is in rough shape. I fill a tall pint glass with water, some lemon juice, and maybe some powdered ginger, and I heat that in the microwave -- and then I stir in a big dollop of honey from my brother's hive.

My stupid nose bleeds lightly for much of the winter, and tears up my throat. I cough a lot, too, and it suuucks.
posted by wenestvedt at 12:51 PM on January 3, 2022 [1 favorite]

Asthma is a good shorthand. When I had a cough like that, triggered by a then long gone infection, I actually ended up on asthma medication to stop bronchial spams (montelukast/Singulair and later a budesonide inhaler the next winter), which might be something to call your doctor about, since those are rarely OTC. Brutal cough might well be bronchial spasms, where your bronchia are so inflamed that just about anything sets them off. Short-term, antihistamines also help, so something fast-acting like desloratadine might be good to get on that first pharmacy run.
posted by I claim sanctuary at 1:10 PM on January 3, 2022 [3 favorites]

I'm a USian who is SHOCKED that so many readers from Canada are failing to recommend Buckley's. I had a pharmacist recommend that to me when I had a similarly stubborn cough and it was like a damn miracle, despite the fact that it tasted like yeti semen. ....This was back in the day when you used to be able to get it here in the US; you can't any more, but I have been able to mail-order it from Amazon Canada (and once another MeFite and I made a bit of a deal).

I swear by it. But I also cannot overstress the fact that it tastes absolutely terrible; like, imagine someone melted a vicks' lozenge, used it to make tea with pine needles and seasoned it with ground-up mothball. The fact that I go out of my way to obtain it nevertheless speaks to how effective it is.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 1:33 PM on January 3, 2022 [1 favorite]

As pointed out above, overusing menthol cough drops can extend the life of a cough/sore throat, but a heavy-duty menthol drop is my go-to when I need to not-cough for a limited period of time. Look for 10 mg or more - Fisherman’s Friend is my go-to. (Most mentholated cough drops are in the 1-3mg range, and do next to nothing for my deep coughs.)
posted by rrrrrrrrrt at 1:34 PM on January 3, 2022 [1 favorite]

I had a hacking cough in March 2020 that would almost make me vomit. I only tried OTC, and honey was most effective for me.
posted by Mavri at 5:17 PM on January 3, 2022

I will nth honey, if this is a throat-tickle kind of cough and not something starting deeper in the lungs. My preferred honey-as-cough-syrup preparation is big spoonful of honey + hot bourbon or whiskey (not enough to make you unsafe to drive or tipsy, just enough of it to cover the spoonful of honey) + herbal tea (a chamomile blend, or lemon ginger).
posted by yasaman at 7:23 PM on January 3, 2022 [1 favorite]

If it's the taste of the cough syrup that's making you nauseous, try switching from cherry to grape flavored. That made all the difference in the world for me.
posted by Furnace of Doubt at 10:36 AM on January 4, 2022

I coughed for months a few years back. The only thing that helped me sleep was codeine cough syrup (prescription in the US) and my doc prescribed an inhaler for bronchial spasms. I also did a nebulizer treatment in the dr office once or twice and that helped. I don’t have asthma, but these things helped tons.

As a kid I also used Delsym and Robitussin Nightime (which is disgusting, but it does work). My kid takes dark honey with melatonin at night and it works.
posted by jdl at 8:28 PM on January 5, 2022