Is cough medicine okay to take if you have diabetes?

My father has been extremely sick for years. He's had diabetes for years, but never took care of himself. He's extremely weak and unable to walk much. He's been sick for a couple of days now and complains that he's been coughing a lot and now has a sore throat. Is cough medicine okay to give him? I asked him if he wanted Halls to help suppress the sore throat and cough, but he wants a liquid like Robitussin.