Is Macbery cough syrup safe for someone with asthma taking Foracort (formoterol and budesonide) and Myomarda (likely a misspelling, possibly referring to a medication like Mycardis or another, assuming it's a brand name for a medication such as bisoprolol)?

Safety of Macbery Cough Syrup in Asthma Patients Taking Foracort and Myomarda

Without knowing the specific ingredients of Macbery cough syrup, it cannot be recommended as safe for someone with asthma, particularly if it contains antihistamines, dextromethorphan, or other respiratory depressants that could worsen bronchospasm or mask deteriorating asthma control.

Critical Safety Concerns

Cough Suppressants and Asthma

• Cough in asthma patients serves as an important warning sign of worsening airway inflammation and should not be routinely suppressed 1
• Many over-the-counter cough syrups contain ingredients that can be problematic for asthma patients, including sedating antihistamines that may thicken secretions or cause respiratory depression 1
• Any sedation is contraindicated in asthma patients, as it can mask deteriorating respiratory status 1

Interaction with Current Medications

Foracort (Budesonide/Formoterol):

• Your current regimen of budesonide/formoterol is appropriate maintenance therapy for moderate to severe asthma 2, 3
• This combination should never be used with additional bronchodilators without medical supervision 1, 2
• If you're needing cough syrup frequently, this suggests inadequate asthma control and requires stepping up your controller therapy rather than adding symptomatic treatment 1, 4

Myomarda (likely Bisoprolol):

• If this medication is bisoprolol (a beta-blocker), it can aggravate bronchospastic symptoms in asthma patients, though beta-1 selective agents like bisoprolol are relatively safer than non-selective beta-blockers 1, 5
• Beta-blockers may lose their beta-1 selectivity at higher doses, increasing risk of bronchospasm 1
• Adding respiratory depressants or antihistamines to this combination increases risk of respiratory complications 1

What to Do Instead

Address the Underlying Problem

• Increasing cough or need for additional medications indicates your asthma is not well controlled 1, 4
• Use your short-acting beta-agonist (SABA) rescue inhaler for acute symptoms, not cough syrup 1
• If you're using rescue medication more than 2 days per week, your asthma control is inadequate and requires medical reassessment 1

Safe Alternatives for Cough

• Ensure proper inhaler technique with your Foracort to maximize anti-inflammatory effect 1, 2
• Rinse your mouth after each Foracort use to prevent local irritation that can cause cough 4
• Consider whether the cough is from your ACE inhibitor if you're taking one for blood pressure (common side effect that mimics asthma symptoms) 1

Red Flags Requiring Immediate Medical Attention

• Worsening shortness of breath, wheezing, or chest tightness 1
• Need for rescue inhaler more frequently than every 4 hours 1
• Peak flow dropping below 75% of your personal best 1
• Drowsiness, confusion, or difficulty speaking in complete sentences 1

Bottom Line

Contact your physician before taking any cough syrup. The need for additional cough medication likely indicates your asthma requires optimization of your current controller therapy (potentially increasing Foracort dose or adding another controller medication) rather than symptomatic suppression with cough syrup 1, 4. Your doctor needs to evaluate whether the cough is from poorly controlled asthma, medication side effects, or another cause entirely 1.