Andi, here is my thinking: it's recommended that you don't take more than 120 mg of dextromethorphan in a 24-hour period, which would be 1 tablet with 20 mg, every 4 hours around the clock (6 doses per 24-hour period).

If you take 1 1/2 tablets, my thinking is that the 30 mg of dextromethorphan could suppress your cough well enough that you can stretch out the dosing interval past every 4 hours (so your total daily cumulative dose would still be 120 mg or under).

Does that make sense? You'd be increasing the dosage, but also increasing the dosing interval (ideally because the increased dosage would be more effective at suppressing your cough).

When did you take the most recent dose?

About 2 1/2 hours ago.

Take another 1/2 pill, and then see if you can stretch the dosing interval out.

Relatedly, can you see a doctor tomorrow? Because I can recommend an excellent prescription cough suppressant that is non-codeine-based.

Relatedly, can you see a doctor tomorrow? Because I can recommend an excellent prescription cough suppressant that is non-codeine-based.

Was thinking of making an appointment for Saturday morning, because I haven't really been coughing all that long, just since Monday. I'd welcome any suggestions, because I noticed last time I had the codeine, that it was starting to lose effectiveness. However, in the past when the Mucinex couldn't manage the cough, any prescription that was non-narcotic just didn't touch it. This deep, barking cough is a legacy of my father's smoking habit.

Go tomorrow, andi. Sounds like your lungs are inflamed -- so an inhaler may be your friend. The steroid inhalers do not have the extreme side effects of things like prednisone ( no blood sugar rise) and can be much more effective than codeine. and if you do have an infection sooner is better than later ( I get no real fevers with early lung/sinus infections)

not a doctor -- just hyper about breathing

I'd welcome any suggestions, because I noticed last time I had the codeine, that it was starting to lose effectiveness. However, in the past when the Mucinex couldn't manage the cough, any prescription that was non-narcotic just didn't touch it.

The generic name is benzonatate (brand name Tessalon; doctors tend to recognize brand names more than generic names, which I guess makes sense but always surprises me). It's non-narcotic, and it worked for me as well as codeine. Maybe it won't work for you, but I was surprised at how well it worked. (It was a BAD cough that OTC stuff didn't do anything for.)

Delsym is a godsend to stop coughing (I think that's the dextrometh---) but that's all it is, in an extended release form. It would last 8-12 hours with very little breakthrough.

Go tomorrow, andi.

I have the strong feeling that I'm not really sick yet. But just because I'm not sick, doesn't mean I'm not miserable. Of course, my usual bar for "must see doc today about cough" is set somewhere around coughing fits that lead to puking. And I don't generally get effective help until after I get to the point where I have to willfully suppress the urge to cough because of the pain.

The generic name is benzonatate (brand name Tessalon; doctors tend to recognize brand names more than generic names, which I guess makes sense but always surprises me). It's non-narcotic, and it worked for me as well as codeine. Maybe it won't work for you, but I was surprised at how well it worked. (It was a BAD cough that OTC stuff didn't do anything for.)

I'll ask about it.

P.S. The extra half tab has helped, at least somewhat. I hope it will carry through long enough to make the longer interval work.

DH had a brutal cough a few months ago; the doctor gave him Tessalon. It suppressed his cough better than codeine does. How does it work? He said something about it numbing the throat.

DH had a brutal cough a few months ago; the doctor gave him Tessalon. It suppressed his cough better than codeine does. How does it work? He said something about it numbing the throat.

I don't remember it numbing my throat. I'll have to look it up to see how it works. I just took it on faith when my doctor told me it works better than codeine.

...huh. Perhaps he was setting me up for the placebo effect.