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Dextromethorphan
Dosage varies with each patient so use as directed on the label
Overview:
Dextromethorphan is a common cough syrup mixture that is used to suppress coughs.
Medical Uses:
This medication is used to provide short-term relief for coughs without phlegm which are caused by particular infections of the airway. It affects the signals in the brain that are responsible for triggering a cough reflex. While dextromethorphan works against standard coughs, do note that it will not be able to suppress coughs caused by smoking, asthma or emphysema.
Side-effects:
Serious side-effects include and are not limited to
Slight drowsiness
Stomach Upset
Drug interactions:
Do let your doctor know if you are taking any of these medications before starting Dextromethorphan. (Take note that this list is non-exhaustive)
Celecoxib
Cinacalcet
Darifenacin
Imatinib
Quinidine
Ranolazine
Ritonavir
Sibutramine
Terbinafine
High blood pressure medications
Antidepressant medications
Dosing:
Standard Recommended Dosing
Use as directed on the label. Do not give it to children under the age of 4. For the syrup version, typical dosage is 20mg every 4 hours as needed, but adhere to the max dosage of 120mg a day.
Overdosing
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you may have overdosed. A few symptoms of overdosing include
Anxiety, restlessness, severe dizziness
Convulsions or seizures
Confusion or Hallucinations
Slow, shallow breathing
Nausea
Panic
Mania
Extreme agitation
High doses may result in the patient becoming comatose or even resulting in death.
Notes:
This medication increases the depressant effect of alcohol on the Central Nervous System
It may also cause false-positives in urine drug testing for certain drugs
Citation:
Durbin, K. (2022, February 22). Dextromethorphan uses, dosage, side effects. Drugs.com. Retrieved February 5, 2023, from https://www.drugs.com/dextromethorphan.html#interactions
May, M. E. (n.d.). Dextromethorphan abuse. Poison Control. Retrieved February 5, 2023, from https://www.poison.org/articles/dextromethorphan
Team, C. by M. I. M. S. O. (n.d.). Dextromethorphan. Dextromethorphan: Indication, Dosage, Side Effect, Precaution | MIMS Singapore. Retrieved February 5, 2023, from https://www.mims.com/singapore/drug/info/dextromethorphan?mtype=generic
WebMD. (n.d.). Dextromethorphan cough oral: Uses, side effects, interactions, pictures, warnings & dosing. WebMD. Retrieved February 5, 2023, from https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-54288/dextromethorphan-cough-oral/details#:~:text=Slight%20drowsiness%2Fdizziness%2C%20nausea%2C,your%20doctor%20or%20pharmacist%20promptly.
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