# Can you take cough medication while on an SSRI?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-take-cough-medication-while-on-an-ssri/242991>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [May 1, 2004, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-take-cough-medication-while-on-an-ssri/242991 "2004-05-01T14:44:27Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![occ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8c91f0/32.png) [@occ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/occ)\
**Post date:** [May 1, 2004, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-take-cough-medication-while-on-an-ssri/242991/1 "2004-05-01T14:44:27Z")

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So anyway, I’ve had a really obnoxious cough for the last few days. I was going to take some Robitussin for it, when I remembered that I’d read somewhere recently that recommended against taking cough syrup while taking an SSRI. I currently take 60mg of generic fluoxetine (prozac) per day.

Anyway, I’m having trouble finding real information on this. Is it really a problem to take one while on the other? I’ve noticed that many cough syrups have pseudoephedrine in them; is this the source of the possible problem, or is it the other main active ingredient in cough syrup (DXM)? Anyone else take cough syrup while under an SSRI regimen?  
Disclaimer: this is, of course, not a solicitation for medical advice. I’m just trying to sort through the information.

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**Author:** ![ruadh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d2c977/32.png) [@ruadh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ruadh)\
**Post date:** [May 1, 2004, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-take-cough-medication-while-on-an-ssri/242991/2 "2004-05-01T14:53:23Z")

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I mixed cough syrup and Lexapro awhile ago with no noticeable ill effects.

The active ingredient in my cough syrup is Carbocisteine, if that makes any difference.