Tussionex Pennkinetic and Drowsiness: What Users Say

• new...
• May 1, 2016

For Cold Symptoms "I had chest congestion for about a week, and when I talked to my friends, I would start coughing. This was what the doctor prescribed, and when the pharmacist gave me the medicine, she explained the side effects to me and to drink liquids too. I took my dose from a 5 ml plastic cup. I have taken 3 doses so far. The effects on me were dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, and nausea. My head was spinning so much I couldn't stand up. Sometimes it would cause me to fall asleep, but sleep was helpful. The nausea was unpleasant. After two days, I felt better. This was strong medicine to take, but it was better taking it at night. Otherwise, it knocks me right out."

• mom...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 13, 2012

For Cough "My Dr. prescribes this for me every fall/winter. I get a cold, it turns into bronchitis, and then I can't sleep or function normally due to the horrible coughing. I take it about an hour before I go to bed, and I sleep like a baby, no coughing, and wake up refreshed and ready to go. Side effect is I feel a little groggy until around 11 am, but that's not a big deal for me when you aren't coughing and able to sleep."

• Gay...
• August 7, 2009

For Cough "After 15 years of vasomotor rhinitis, which caused chronic coughing, I was finally prescribed something that helped me sleep without waking up 10 times coughing each night. I don't notice any hangover or grogginess the next day. My only complaint is that it is not covered by my insurance and is a little expensive."

• Anonymous
• February 10, 2009

For Cough "There's no generic for this medication, and it is quite expensive, but definitely worth the money. My husband had a post-nasal drip cough that just wouldn't go away, and it kept both of us up at night. He took a teaspoon of this, and we both slept through the night, he didn't cough once. Felt great in the morning too, no drowsiness. Great stuff."

• Anonymous
• December 10, 2009

For Cough "I was prescribed this medicine in the ER when I was diagnosed with bronchitis. The very first thing the doctor said with this medication is do not drive. I totally agree, the medicine is wonderful, it pretty much got rid of the cough and helped clear up my head congestion. I would have to say that the worst side effect is that it makes you feel very drowsy and sleepy, like you are under the influence of alcohol."

• Anonymous
• July 10, 2009

For Cough "I have extremely bad coughing spells at night. So my doctor prescribed codeine cough syrup, which surprisingly did not help because it is a pretty strong cough medicine. So instead, he prescribed Tussionex for me. The medicine worked great! The only thing I don't like is it made me sleep all day long, and the next day I could still feel it in my system, but I know I could have probably slept for 2 days straight off of the small dose he prescribed. He told me to do 'Take 1 teaspoonful 2 times a day.' I only did one, and it made me feel very tired. But it does a great job with suppressing the cough."

• Anonymous
• December 2, 2009

For Cold Symptoms "CAREFUL! Warning that you can become drowsy the next day after using this product. Falling asleep at work, or while driving, because the narcotic is too much. If you're able to be passive with just a glass of wine, think seriously before taking the full teaspoon. Talk to your doctor if you feel unusually tired because of the Tussionex."

• Sha...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 5, 2023

For Cough "I have suffered from chronic lung infections and bronchitis for a number of years. I have tried multiple medications in the past and nothing has worked. My doctor prescribed Tussionex Pennkinetic, and it is fantastic. I would rate this medication a 12 out of 10 if I could. Be sure to hydrate well while taking this medication. The drowsiness that I experience helps me sleep, and I am cough-free all night long. The 12-hour window of effectiveness makes this the best treatment for a chronic cough."

• Jur...
• October 11, 2009

For Cough "This medicine worked very well for me. I had a bad cough that was keeping me up night after night. This allowed me to sleep and totally stopped the cough. I couldn't take it during the day without being groggy, however, I would caution against this, although the recommended dose said every 12 hours."

• Anonymous
• September 8, 2011

For Cough "This medicine has a built-in phlegm breaker and works very well to keep mucus from settling in the chest. Side effects for me are usually sleepiness, which is welcome when you are sick."

• Kar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 16, 2012

For Cough "Tussionex works great, yes it will make you drowsy, so don't drive. You will sleep easy though."