When taken as directed, cough syrup is perfectly safe (and beneficial). When you take too much—intentionally or unintentionally—it produces a high, similar to some illegal substances. Some are riskier than others, particularly if you have teenagers or small children at home. The best course of action if you're taking cough syrup and want to stop is to stop taking it. Either that or wait until you're done with the bottle. Cough syrups contain chemicals known as opioid painkillers. They work by binding to receptors inside your body that trigger the sensation of sleepiness and calmness. That's why they work well against coughs and colds: Both symptoms can leave you exhausted and require little effort from your part. Cough medicines that use codeine are the most effective at reducing pain while keeping you asleep, so don't worry about taking one every day. It's not going to hurt you or damage your organs. However, if you're taking more than two doses a day or if you're under the age of 18, then you should probably stop. Your doctor may have you try other medications or treatments, such as humidifying your house or using an air conditioner, to ease your symptoms. Overall, if you need cough syrup to get through the night then it's not too many a day.