If you need to sleep and get a reprieve from coughing anything with dextromethorphan should work. Personally, I don't take it if avoidable, since it makes me groggy, even the morning after. 
If you're dealing with a congested chest, and you want to cough it up, look for things with guaifenesin in it to help. It helps loosen up the congestion, so you can cough it out. Lots of water helps it work best.
Really, brands don't matter. It's all about the active ingredients. Don't mix a bunch of stuff into it you don't need to if you can avoid it. It doesn't help, and it's actually dangerous if you don't know what the other ingredients do. Keep it simple, if you can, and just treat your actual symptoms when possible.
I hope you feel better soon!
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