Coughing can be irritating and disruptive, making it difficult to get through your day or get a good night’s sleep. Many people reach for cough syrup to help suppress their cough and other cold symptoms. However, some cough syrups contain ingredients like dextromethorphan and codeine that can cause drowsiness. If you want relief without feeling sleepy, you’ll need to choose a non-drowsy cough syrup.
What causes drowsiness from cough syrup?
Cough syrup drowsiness is typically caused by active ingredients that have a sedating effect. Some of the key offenders include:
- Dextromethorphan (DXM) – a cough suppressant that can cause drowsiness at higher doses
- Codeine – an opioid analgesic that causes central nervous system depression
- Promethazine – an antihistamine with strong sedative effects
- Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) – a sedating antihistamine also used as a sleep aid
These ingredients all work in different ways, but ultimately interact with receptors in the brain that have a calming, sleep-promoting effect. Even in normal doses found in many over-the-counter (OTC) cough syrups, they can make people feel drowsy, impaired, and disconnected from their surroundings.
Risks of drowsy cough syrups
While some level of sedation may help suppress cough and assist with sleep, the drowsiness caused by common cough syrup ingredients has risks:
- Inability to drive or operate machinery safely
- Difficulty functioning normally and completing tasks
- Increased risk of falls and accidents
- Combining with other sedatives like alcohol can be dangerous
For these reasons, health authorities recommend avoiding drowsy cough medicines if you need to stay alert and active during the day. Operating vehicles or hazardous equipment should be avoided entirely after taking sedating cough syrups.
What to look for in a non-drowsy cough syrup
To avoid unwanted sedation, choose a cough syrup that does not contain the ingredients listed earlier. Some key things to look for include:
- No dextromethorphan, codeine, promethazine, diphenhydramine, or opioids
- “Non-drowsy” labeling
- Active ingredients like guaifenesin and dextrose
- Cough suppressants other than dextromethorphan, such as benzonatate
Guaifenesin, an expectorant, can help thin mucus secretions and control coughs. Dextrose suppresses cough reflexes without strong sedative effects. Benzonatate numbs cough-triggering nerves but does not substantially enter the brain.
Look carefully at all active and inactive ingredients on the packaging to determine if a cough syrup is non-drowsy. Combination products with multiple ingredients are more likely to contain sedatives.
Examples of non-drowsy cough syrups
Some OTC cough syrup brands and generic products that avoid drowsiness-inducing ingredients include:
| Brand Name | Active Ingredient(s) |
|---|---|
| Delsym 12 Hour Cough Relief | Dextromethorphan polistirex (extended release DXM) |
| Mucinex | Guaifenesin |
| Tessalon Perles | Benzonatate |
| Robitussin Cough and Chest Congestion DM | Guaifenesin and dextromethorphan |
While the Delsym 12 hour product contains dextromethorphan, the special polistirex extended release formulation minimizes drowsiness. Plain Mucinex and Tessalon Perles contain no known sedatives. Robitussin DM has a lower dose of dextromethorphan less likely to cause substantial drowsiness when combined with expectorant guaifenesin.
There are also many generic store brand versions of these products available, typically containing similar formulations. Search for “non-drowsy cough” on the packaging to find suitable generics.
Natural cough syrups without drowsiness
For those wishing to avoid pharmaceuticals, there are some natural cough syrup options much less likely to cause sedation:
- Honey – Pure honey coats and soothes sore throat while suppressing coughs.
- Licorice root – Soothes throat irritation and loosens mucus without drowsiness.
- Slippery elm – Reduces coughs and throat inflammation while promoting mucus elimination.
- Marshmallow root – Soothes throat while fighting coughs and bacteria.
- Thyme – Powerful antimicrobial properties fight infections to reduce coughing.
- Elderberry – Provides vitamin C, flavonoids, and antioxidants to support immune health.
These remedies can be taken alone or combined together in syrups. While their sedative effects are generally mild to nonexistent, their cough-relieving power can vary.
Home remedies for non-drowsy cough relief
In addition to natural syrups, several home remedies can ease coughs without making you sleepy:
- Sipping warm liquids like tea, honey lemonade, and soup broth
- Using a humidifier to moisten dry irritated airways
- Propping up on extra pillows to make nighttime coughing less severe
- Sucking on lozenges containing soothing ingredients like honey and menthol
- Gargling with salt water to ease sore throats and thin mucus
- Getting plenty of rest and drinking fluids to support healing
While not potent cough suppressants like pharmaceuticals, these remedies moisturize and calm irritated throats and airways. This helps reduce coughing without medication side effects.
The bottom line on non-drowsy relief
Coughing at night or when you need to stay alert and active during the day can be frustrating. While many standard cough syrups provide good cough relief, their sedating side effects are undesirable for proper daytime functioning.
Seeking out products labeled non-drowsy and avoiding common sedating ingredients like dextromethorphan and codeine reduces this effect. Natural options like honey, licorice, and slippery elm also soothe coughs without significant drowsiness. For daytime symptomatic relief without dozing off, choose products and home remedies designed not to make you sleepy. Speak to your pharmacist or doctor for personalized advice on the most suitable non-drowsy cough options for your situation.
