Hi, I'm sixteen years old, and as of yesterday morning, I have a chest cough. When I went to my medicine cupboard to find some cough syrup, I only found an empty bottle. I also came across a prescription bottle of COTRIDIN SYRUP, which my brother has still from his cough and cold four months ago. I was wondering if maybe I would be able to take this, because there is no cough syrup around. My cough is very painful, and I'm not sure what else I could do to control the pain, making it less severe. I'm not sure if it's a good idea to take this, because it is someone elses prescription, and I know that's not good to do, but I'm desperate.

I should also mention that I have been having mild to severe chest pains for the past 4-6 months. It started off mild, once a week or so, but now it's sharp shooting pains everyday morning noon and night. I've put off going to the doctors because I'm afraid of blood and needles and IV's and things like that.

Should I not take this syrup because of my chest pains? Or should I not take it, chest pains or not?

Thank you.