Cough and Cold - Mucenix and Claritin-D?

[acthechamp]

Hi,

I am new to this place. 22 year old with Crohns and ostomy bag. Life absolutely sucks as I had to lose a year in college, but now I am healthy and trying to make a comeback .

I have a little bit of a fever, lots of cough and cold. In this condition, can I take Mucenix or Claritin-D? What is the general consensus on this medication?

 

[hawkeye]

I have taken over the counter cough and cold medicines along with allergy meds with no issues. If in doubt, or if you have questions, ask your pharmacist, they can be a great resource.

 

[nogutsnoglory]

You can take it if it doesn't interact with your other meds. Ask the pharmacist.

If you have an ileostomy it may not be absorbed much because it's extended release to work for 12 or 24 hours. I suppose the 12 hours make more sense because you are definitely pooping it out within 6 hours.

 

[baistuff]

Mucinex thins mucous, not much else. In 15 years of practicing medicine I've never understood what this really accomplishes. Maybe in patients with chronic thick secretions like CF and COPD it may have a use, but for someone with a URI, not sure what that accomplishes. Claritin is a non-sedating antihistamine which will dry you out a bit. If there is an allergy component, this would help. Mucinex with claritin doesn't make too much sense. You are trying to thin mucious out but at the same time dry it, which will likely thicken it.

The D refers to an added decongestant. Decongestants are very helpful for URIs but can cause BP to elevate and if taken at night can cause trouble sleeping.

Good old fashioned Robitussin is usually pretty well tolerated and is a decent cough medication (codeine is really the best, but usually not worth the side effects and of course needs an RX.) Most of the OTC ones have other things added- like decongestants, or antihistamines so read carefully. Plain robitussin is usually tolerated with most IBD meds. However, keep in mind many of these meds have artificial sweeteners in them.

Personally, I don't usually medicate colds. Sure, if it will help you sleep a sedating antihistamine can help, and some plain robitussin can alleviate cough a bit, but so can tea with a little lemon.

Colds suck. They run us down, interfere with sleep, work, kill taste buds and appetite. I hate them too. But IMHO many of the meds are simply not worth it. colds run their course.

I tell patients that unless your sleep is interfered with, or are really miserable try to let it run its course.

Oh, a few other things... 1) Tylenol is fine for fever 2) Some of these combo meds have Motrin added for fever or pain. IBDers should NEVER take motrin. 3) Some docs, feeling they need to feel they are doing something for a patient, will just give an antibiotic. NEVER take an antibiotic for a cold.

The only time to take antibiotics for anything URI is Strep. For sinus infections, I would go 2-3 weeks, yes weeks, before pulling the trigger on antibiotics. Even bacterial sinus infections usually self resolve and complications are rare. Most bronchitis cases are actually VIRAL, and most resolve on their own.

Exceptions to the above are those who are immune suppressed, heavy smokers with history of respiratory infections and chronically poorly controlled diabetics.