Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take dextromethorphan. Dextromethorphan is available in the following dosage forms that are taken by mouth. If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so safely.
- Dextromethorphan is the only cough suppressant available as an over-the-counter drug without a prescription.
- If you experience nausea throughout the day, taking your dose of dextromethorphan with food or milk may help ease that side effect.
- However, individual reactions to medications can vary, and some people may experience drowsiness.
- You should not take dextromethorphan with combination products that also contain dextromethorphan.
- It works by suppressing the cough reflex in the brain, providing temporary relief from the urge to cough.
- Death can occur from the misuse of cough and cold medicines in very young children.
- Call your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction to dextromethorphan, as the reaction could become severe.
Similar drugs
Dextromethorphan and doxylamine may pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Ask a doctor before using this medicine if you are breast-feeding. You should not use antihistamine medication to make a child sleepy. Dextromethorphan and doxylamine will not treat a cough that is caused by smoking, asthma, or emphysema. It is not known if dextromethorphan passes into breast dextromethorphan side effects sleep milk.
Mild side effects
If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication. Dextromethorphan can cause drowsiness in some people, though this is not a universal side effect. Be cautious when first taking it to see how it affects you.
More About Drugs and Medications
You should not use dextromethorphan for a cough with a fever, rash, or headache that will not go away. Talk with your healthcare provider if you have concerns. Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific dextromethorphan products they stock. While less common, the most serious side effects of dextromethorphan are described below, along with what to do if they happen. Dextromethorphan may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider. Dextromethorphan is commonly used to reduce cough caused by common cold or inhaled allergens or that makes it hard for you to fall asleep.
- Since cough medicine is usually taken only as needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule.
- You may have a raised risk of these side effects if you drink alcohol with dextromethorphan.
- It can temporarily relieve cough caused by the common cold, the flu, or other conditions.
- If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time if you have taken dextromethorphan within the past few days.
- To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
- And if it is nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take medicine at your next regularly scheduled time.
Before taking this medicine
It can also interact with certain supplements as well as certain foods. To learn more about Auvelity, see this article or talk with your doctor. For more information about dextromethorphan and depression, see this article. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about dextromethorphan. However, if you forget a particular dose, quickly take the missed dose when you remember.
What Are The Dosing Considerations?
Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. It can increase some of the side effects of dextromethorphan. This medication can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert. Drink extra fluids to help loosen the congestion and lubricate your throat while you are taking this medication.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Dextromethorphan should not be taken while you are using certain other medicines. The most common side effects of dextromethorphan are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you. Dextromethorphan is a generic, over-the-counter (OTC) drug that’s used to help relieve cough in adults and certain children.