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Suggest Remedies For Severe Cough, Fever And Sore Throat

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Posted on Wed, 23 Mar 2016
Question: I have been sick since Tuesday with a fever, body aches, sore throat, coughing uncontrollably at this point and now my throat is raw and my lungs are sore from coughing, I've been off work since Wednesday and need to get back ASAP - no sick pay, rent to pay - don't think i still have a fever - went to a "clinic" Thursday, dr said flu but did a "flu test" which was negative but she said they are wrong sometimes and she still diagnosed flu - I need to get relief from coughing and Delsym does nothing, sore throat is unbearable -
doctor
Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
perhaps a NSAID

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

this kind of symptom is very difficult to manage. Delsym's ingredients are potent cough suppressants but obviously they haven't helped you enough. You can try to relieve the painful sensation by using painkillers, starting with paracetamol (acetaminophen) 500-1000mg each time and not exceeding 4gr per day (divided into at least 4 doses - 6 hours apart). If paracetamol is not enough (which I suppose would be your case) you can try a NSAID. Using both the NSAID and paracetamol will help even more. Make sure that you don't have any contraindications for the NSAID because NSAID may cause various problems like worsening hypertension, peptic ulcer, renal damage, liver damage, allergies, etc. There are many choices for a NSAID like ibuprofen, diclofenac, etc.

I hope you find my comments helpful!
You can contact me again, if you'd like any clarification or further information.

Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (8 minutes later)
I've been taking Advil (600 mg) but it is making my stomach hurt along with the Dayquil and the dayquil/Nyquil says not to take additional acephetamine so how much can i take - there is 650 mg in a dose of the nyquil

what else can i do to suppress the cough? that's the main problem and the sore throat - im exhausted from coughing and my lungs hurt


Would it be bad to take a benedryl along with the Nyquil or Delsym? Can I take the Nyquil and the Delsym together? which is better for cough?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (9 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
watch for overdosage

Detailed Answer:
As I've already pointed out, cough suppression can be very hard to achieve and sometimes impossible! Advil is a NSAID (which already caused you stomach side effects). Dayquil and Nyquil contain paracetamol and perhaps other drugs too (there are many formulations). So you're taking dextromethorphan (one of the most potent cough suppressants), paracetamol (mild analgesic) and ibuprofen (better analgesic) and still can't feel relief. Normally you shouldn't take anything more. You could use something more although it's not indicated for cough suppression (but it's potent). Using a painkiller with opioid content may help.

Please make sure that you're not taking an overdose because there are common ingredients in some of the drugs you're using. Add paracetamol/acetaminophen content to avoid taking more than 1000mg each time or more than 4000mg each 24 hours. Also watch for dextromethorphan.

You can take benadryl if the formulations you're using do not contain an antihistamine. Some Nyquil formulations do contain antihistamines.

If you're in doubt then please read the active ingredients written on the box and inform me accordingly. I'll be glad to make it clear for you.

Unfortunately there is nothing more beyond that!

Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (1 hour later)
Is there an over the counter painkiller with opioid ?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (53 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
probably not

Detailed Answer:
I doubt you'll find any OTC opioid. Opioids can be abused by drug addicts and normally the state protects its citizens by prohibiting their use without medical prescription. I can't say for sure though because I don't practice in the US. You can ask your pharmacist about that.

Kind Regards!
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :1999

Answered : 3819 Questions

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Suggest Remedies For Severe Cough, Fever And Sore Throat

Brief Answer: perhaps a NSAID Detailed Answer: Hello, this kind of symptom is very difficult to manage. Delsym's ingredients are potent cough suppressants but obviously they haven't helped you enough. You can try to relieve the painful sensation by using painkillers, starting with paracetamol (acetaminophen) 500-1000mg each time and not exceeding 4gr per day (divided into at least 4 doses - 6 hours apart). If paracetamol is not enough (which I suppose would be your case) you can try a NSAID. Using both the NSAID and paracetamol will help even more. Make sure that you don't have any contraindications for the NSAID because NSAID may cause various problems like worsening hypertension, peptic ulcer, renal damage, liver damage, allergies, etc. There are many choices for a NSAID like ibuprofen, diclofenac, etc. I hope you find my comments helpful! You can contact me again, if you'd like any clarification or further information. Kind Regards!