DEXTROMETHORPHAN (Systemic)
Some commonly used brand names are:
In the U.S.?
- Benylin Adult Formula Cough Syrup
- Benylin Pediatric Cough Suppressant
- Cough-X
- Creo-Terpin
- Delsym Cough Formula
- Diabe-TUSS DM Syrup
- Hold DM
- Pertussin CS Children's Strength
- Pertussin DM Extra Strength
- Robitussin Maximum Strength Cough Suppressant
- Robitussin Pediatric Cough Suppressant
- Sucrets 4 Hour Cough Suppressant
- Trocal
- Vicks 44 Cough Relief
In Canada?
- Balminil DM
- Balminil DM Children
- Benylin DM
- Benylin DM 12 Hour
- Benylin DM for Children
- Benylin DM for Children 12 Hour
- Broncho-Grippol-DM
- Calmylin #1
- Delsym
- Koffex DM
- Novahistex DM
- Novahistine DM
- Robitussin Pediatric
- Triaminic DM Long Lasting for Children
Category
Description
Dextromethorphan (dex-troe-meth-OR-fan) is used to relieve coughs due to coldsor influenza (flu). It should not be used for chronic cough that occurs withsmoking, asthma, or emphysema or when there is an unusually large amount ofmucus or phlegm (flem) with the cough.
Dextromethorphan relieves cough by acting directly on the cough centerin the brain.
This medicine is available without a prescription; however, your doctormay have special instructions on the proper use of this medicine for yourmedical condition. It is available in the following dosage forms:
Oral- Lozenges (U.S.)
- Extended-release oral suspension (U.S. and Canada)
- Syrup (U.S. and Canada)
Before Using This Medicine
If you are taking this medicinewithout a prescription, carefully read and follow any precautions on the label.For dextromethorphan, the following should be considered:
Allergies?Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual orallergic reaction to dextromethorphan or its other ingredients such as, alcohol,artificial sweetener, benzocaine, glucose, granulated sugar, menthol, naturalhoney flavoring, sucralose, sucrose, or sugar. Also tell your health careprofessional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives,or dyes.
Pregnancy?Dextromethorphan has not been studiedin pregnant women. Before taking this medicine, make sure your doctor knowsif you are pregnant or if you may become pregnant.
Breast-feeding?It is not known whether dextromethorphan passesinto breast milk. However, dextromethorphan has not been reported to causeproblems in nursing babies.
Children?Although there is no specific information comparinguse of dextromethorphan in children with use in other age groups, this medicineis not expected to cause different side effects or problems in children thanit does in adults.
Older adults?Many medicines have not been studied specificallyin older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactlythe same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effectsor problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing useof dextromethorphan in the elderly with use in other age groups.
Other medicines?Although certain medicines should not be usedtogether at all, in other cases 2 different medicines may be used togethereven if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want tochange the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are takingdextromethorphan it is especially important that your health care professionalknow if you are taking any of the following:
- Amiodarone (e.g., Cordarone) or
- Fluoexetine (e.g., Prozac) or
- Quinidine?Taking dextromethorphan with any of these medicinesmay result in increased side effects of dextromethorphan
- Central nervous system (CNS) depressants (medicines that cause drowsiness)?TheCNS depressant effects of either these medicines or dextromethorphan may beincreased
- Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors (furazolidone [e.g., Furoxone], phenelzine [e.g., Nardil], procarbazine [e.g., Matulane], selegiline [e.g.,Eldepryl], tranylcypromine [e.g., Parnate])?Taking dextromethorphanif you are taking MAO inhibitors or have taken them within the past 2 to 3weeks may cause coma, dizziness, excited or unusual behavior, fever, highblood pressure, nausea, sluggishness, spasms, and tremors
- Smoking tobacco?Since dextromethorphan decreases coughing,it makes it difficult to get rid of the mucus that may collect in the lungsand airways resulting from smoking
Other medical problems?The presence of other medicalproblems may affect the use of dextromethorphan. Make sure you tell your doctorif you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Asthma?Since dextromethorphan decreases coughing, it makesit difficult to get rid of the mucus that collects in the lungs and airwaysduring asthma
- Diabetes (sugar diabetes)?Some products contain sugar and mayaffect control of blood glucose monitoring
- Liver disease?Dextromethorphan may build up in the body andcause unwanted effects
- Chronic bronchitis or
- Emphysema or
- Mucus or phlegm with cough?Since dextromethorphan decreasescoughing, it makes it difficult to get rid of the mucus that may collect inthe lungs and airways with some diseases
- Slowed breathing?Dextromethorphan may slow the rate of breathingeven further
Proper Use of This Medicine
Make certainyour health care professional knows if you are on a low-sodium, low-sugar,or any other special diet. Most medicines contain more than their active ingredient,and many liquid medicines contain alcohol.
Use this medicine only as directed by your doctor orthe directions on the label. Do not use more of it, do not use it moreoften, and do not use it for a longer time than your doctor or the label says.Although this effect has happened only rarely, dextromethorphan has becomehabit-forming (causing mental or physical dependence) in some persons whoused too much for a long time.
Dosing?The dose of dextromethorphan will be differentfor different patients. Follow your doctor's orders orthe directions on the label. The following information includes onlythe average doses of dextromethorphan. If your dose isdifferent, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The number of capsules or tablets or teaspoonfuls of suspension or syrupthat you take depends on the strength of the medicine.
- For lozenge dosage form:
- For cough:
- Adults and children 12 years of age and older?5 to 15 mg everytwo to four hours, as needed.
- Children younger than 2 years of age?Use and dose must be determinedby your doctor.
- Children 2 to 6 years of age?5 mg every four hours, as needed.
- Children 6 to 12 years of age?5 to 15 mg every two to six hours,as needed.
- For syrup dosage form:
- For cough:
- Adults and children 12 years of age and older?30 mg every sixto eight hours, as needed.
- Children younger than 2 years of age?Use and dose must be determinedby your doctor.
- Children 2 to 6 years of age?3.5 mg every four hours or 7.5mg every six to eight hours, as needed.
- Children 6 to 12 years of age?7 mg every four hours or 15 mgevery six to eight hours, as needed.
- For extended-release oral suspensiondosage form :
- For cough:
- Adults and children 12 years of age and older?60 mg every twelvehours, as needed.
- Children younger than 2 years of age?Use and dose must be determinedby your doctor.
- Children 2 to 6 years of age?15 mg every twelve hours, as needed.
- Children 6 to 12 years of age?30 mg every twelve hours, asneeded.
Missed dose?If you must take this medicine regularly and youmiss a dose, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time foryour next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.Do not double doses.
Storage?To store this medicine:
- Store away from heat and direct light.
- Keep out of the reach of children.
- Do not store the tablet form of this medicine in the bathroom, nearthe kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause themedicine to break down.
- Keep the liquid form of this medicine from freezing.
- Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be surethat any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.
Precautions While Using This Medicine
If yourcough has not improved after 7 days, if sore throat has not improved after2 days, if you have a high fever, skin rash, or continuing headache with thecough, or if asthma or high blood pressure is present, check with your doctor.These signs may mean that you have other medical problems.
Dissolve lozenges in the mouth with caution, to lessen the risk of choking.
Side Effects of This Medicine
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects.Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they mayneed medical attention.
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following sideeffects occur:
Symptoms of overdose
Blurred vision; confusion; difficulty in urination; drowsinessor dizziness; nausea or vomiting (severe); shakiness and unsteady walk; slowedbreathing; unusual excitement, nervousness, restlessness,or irritability (severe)
Other side effects may occur that usually donot need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatmentas your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your health careprofessional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. Ifyou notice any other effects, check with your doctor.
Revised: 06/11/1999
