Opiate Addict with a cold

[pb1016]

Is there any danger in taking over the counter cough and cold products for a recently recovering opiate addict?  What can they take for a cold, particularly a severe cough?

[chuckd72]

This is an issue I wrestled with several times myself in early and later recovery from a 4 year vicodin addiction.  We all have different chemistry and therefore different responses to medicaitons but I think overall the OTC cough remedies are mostly safe.  The only caviat is that the active indredient for cough suppression is dextromethorphan (DXM or DM on labels) and some people abuse it since it can act as a dissociative hallucinogen similar to ketamine or PCP but only in very high doses.  That property never made it very appealing to me for abuse but it seems to be showing up more and more at high school parties.

[dominosarah]

I have taken Advil cold and sinus before and it works.  As for the cough syrup i have used the Robitussin or Triaminic stuff.  Ask the pharmacists about it too as they will help you.  Hope you feel better         sara