“Are cough syrups safe?”

It depends on the type of cough. Cough that is trying to move mucus out of the lungs should not be suppressed. Calming that cough allows the mucus to sit in the lungs and that can lead to further illness such as pneumonia. If the cough is a dry stubborn cough, then cough suppressants can be helpful to allow for appropriate breathing patterns and help to decrease abdominal fatigue (children should not receive cough medicine under the age of 3). When appropriate (over age one, not allergic, etc), good ol local honey can do the trick. It thins secretions/mucus and can decrease the spasms causing the cough. There are so many types and causes of cough, so you want to be sure to check with your doctor. Shortness of breath, wheezing, and cough lasting more than ten days are examples of cough that should receive medical attention.