Always ask a doctor before giving a cough or cold medicine to a child. Death can occur from the misuse of cough and cold medicines in very young children.
Do not use dextromethorphan if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as
isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam),
or tranylcypromine (Parnate) within the past 14 days. Serious, life-threatening side effects can
occur if you take dextromethorphan before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body.
Do not use any other over-the-counter cough, cold, or allergy medication without first
asking your doctor or pharmacist. If you take certain products together you may accidentally take
too much of one or more types of medicine. Read the label of any other medicine you are using
to see if it contains dextromethorphan.
Dextromethorphan will not treat a cough that is caused by smoking, asthma, or
emphysema.
What is dextromethorphan?
Dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant. It affects the signals in the brain that trigger
cough reflex.
Dextromethorphan is used to treat a cough.
Dextromethorphan will not treat a cough that is caused by smoking, asthma, or
emphysema.
Dextromethorphan may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication
guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking dextromethorphan?
Do not use dextromethorphan if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as
isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam),
or tranylcypromine (Parnate) within the past 14 days. Serious, life-threatening side effects can
occur if you take dextromethorphan before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body.
Before taking dextromethorphan, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you
have emphysema or chronic bronchitis. You may not be able to use this medication, or you may
need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.
This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are
pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
This medication may pass into breast milk and could harm a nursing baby. Do not
use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Artificially-sweetened liquid forms of cough medicine may contain phenylalanine. This
would be important to know if you have phenylketonuria (PKU). Check the ingredients and
warnings on the medication label if you are concerned about phenylalanine.
How should I take dextromethorphan?
Use this medication exactly as directed on the label, or as it has been prescribed by your
doctor. Do not use the medication in larger amounts, or use it for longer than recommended.
Cough medicine is usually taken only for a short time until your symptoms clear up.
Always ask a doctor before giving cough or cold medicine to a child. Death can occur from the misuse of cough or cold medicine in very young children.
Measure the liquid form of this medicine with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not
a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
Allow the dextromethorphan lozenge or disintegrating strip to dissolve in your mouth.
Drink extra fluids to help loosen the congestion and lubricate your throat while you
are taking this medication.
Talk with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 7 days of treatment, or
if you have a fever with a headache, cough, or skin rash.
If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time if you have taken a
cough medicine within the past few days.
Store dextromethorphan at room temperature, away from heat, light, and moisture.
Print
Email
FDA Alerts
Drug Info Tools
Medicare's drug plans are subsidized by the US federal government and offered through insurers.
