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Discussion

Cough syrup

Now that it is cold and flu season I was curious about something. A few months ago the pharmacist at my hospital told me to make sure I had all my patients drink plenty of fluids after giving cough meds. I asked him why and he explained that in order to work quickly and appropriately they need plenty of water to get the job done efficiently. Now I was under the impression that cough meds worked by coating the throat. Upon investigation I have found I was wrong cough meds work best when taken with fluids. I am curious how many other nurses also have had the wrong idea about whether or not to give fluids after cough meds.

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    Fluids (water is best) help thin mucus...which is what a cough syrup is supposed to help do as well. Helps someone to bring up the mucus, then spit it out!

    Better out than in.....haha!

    Suppressants are to help quiet a cough. By quieting, one is not moving the mucus around, up, and out. So water helps thin the mucus so that you don't have a bunch of junk sitting around.

    That and some pulmonary toileting (I worked for years in a facility with no RT's) and my nightmare shift begins....and I gag and gag.....EWWWWWWWW hahahahahahaha!

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    Meds like Guaifenesin (aka Mucinex) are expectorants that needs adequate fluids to help thin the mucus so you can cough it up easier :lurking:.

    It really depends on the concoction of meds in the cough syrup but hydration is a general rule to thin out mucus anywhere I believe. Thinking of CF especially but don't work with kiddos!

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    • Expert

    It is sometimes forgotten that water is nature's expectorant. It facilitates the thinning of tenacious secretions and assists medicinal expectorants such as guiafenesin to do their job more effectively.

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    • Expert

    This thread has been moved to the Nursing & Patient Medications forum.

    Now that it is cold and flu season I was curious about something. A few months ago the pharmacist at my hospital told me to make sure I had all my patients drink plenty of fluids after giving cough meds. I asked him why and he explained that in order to work quickly and appropriately they need plenty of water to get the job done efficiently. Now I was under the impression that cough meds worked by coating the throat. Upon investigation I have found I was wrong cough meds work best when taken with fluids. I am curious how many other nurses also have had the wrong idea about whether or not to give fluids after cough meds.
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