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Drug Notebook

Generic Name: dextromethorphan

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Buckleys Mixture, Benylin, Dextromethorphan Hydrobromide, Theraflu Thin Strips Cough, Silphen DM, Vicks Formula 44, Creo-Terpin, Triaminic Long Acting Cough, Delsym 12 Hour Cough Relief for Children & Adults, Robafen Pediatric Cough & Cold, Scot-Tussin Diabetic, Pediacare, Benylin DM Pediatric, Vicks 44 Cough Medicine, Robitussin Honey Cough, Hold DM, Robitussin CoughGels, Benylin Adult Formula, Vicks 44 Cough Relief, Delsym 12 Hour Cough Relief, Babee Cof, Pertussin ES, Robitussin Maximum Strength, Buckley's Mixture Cough Suppressant, Dextromethorphan HBr Adult Formula, Robitussin Pediatric Cough Suppressant, Creomulsion, Scot-Tussin DM Cough Chasers, Triaminic Thin Strips Cough, Triaminic Softchew, Sucrets DM Cough, Tylenol Simply Cough, Tussin Pediatric, Calmylin, Robitussin Cough Calmers, Robitussin Pediatric Cough Long-Acting, Elixsure Cough, St. Joseph Cough Suppressant, DexAlone, Pertussin CS Childrens, Creomulsion Children, Delsym, Benylin Pediatric
A cough suppressant - It is used to help relieve cough
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FDA Alerts

Special Alerts:

[Posted 01/17/2008] FDA informed consumers and healthcare professionals that the Agency has completed its review of information regarding the safety of over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold medicines in children under 2 years of age and recommends that these drugs not be used to treat children in this age group because serious and potentially life-threatening side effects can occur. FDA's recommendation is based on both the review of the information the Agency received about serious side effects in children in the referenced age group and the discussion and recommendations made at the October 18 -19, 2007, public advisory committee meeting at which this issue was discussed. FDA has not completed its review of information about the safety of OTC cough and cold medicines in children 2 through 11 years of age. See the FDA Public Health Advisory for Agency recommendations regarding this issue. For more information visit the FDA website at: http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2008/safety08.htm#cough and http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/advisory/cough_cold_2008.htm.

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dextromethorphan
(dex troe meth OR fan)
What is this medicine?What is the price of this medication and similar alternatives?What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?How should I use this medicine?What if I miss a dose?What may interact with this medicine?Who should NOT use this medication?What should I watch for while using this medicine?What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?Can I stop taking the medication if I feel better?I am on so many medications; do I have to take them all?Where can I get more information?

What is this medicine?
DEXTROMETHORPHAN (dex troe meth OR fan) is used to help relieve cough.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

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What is the price of this medication and similar alternatives?

This pricing information is subject to change at the sole discretion of DS Pharmacy. This pricing information was updated 09/2009. For the most current and up-to-date pricing information, please visit www.drugstore.com. Actual costs to patients will vary depending on the use of specific retail or mail-order locations and health insurance copays.

Aquatab DM 28-835MG 12-hr Tablets DESTON THERAPEUTICS100/$245.51 or 300/$692.91
Bidex-DM 30-800MG 12-hr Tablets STEWART JACKSON30/$29.99 or 90/$81.97
Duraphen Forte 30-30-1200MG 12-hr Tablets KOWA PHARMACEUTICALS AMERICA100/$132.57 or 300/$375.84
Duraphen II DM 20-20-800MG 12-hr Tablets KOWA PHARMACEUTICALS AMERICA30/$41.76 or 90/$125.02
Duratuss DM 25-225MG/5ML Elixir VICTORY PHARMA473/$145.78 or 1419/$424.42
GFN 1200/DM 60 1200-60MG 12-hr Tablets CYPRESS PHARMACEUTICAL30/$24.99 or 90/$65.97
Guaifenesin-DM 100-10MG/5ML Liquid MORTON GROVE PHARMACEUTICALS240/$17.26 or 720/$45.65
Guaphen Forte 30-30-1200MG 12-hr Tablets RIVER'S EDGE PHARMACEUTICALS30/$31.52 or 90/$85.1
PanMist DM 48-32-595MG 12-hr Tablets PAM LABORATORIES30/$16.83 or 90/$48.9
Promethazine-DM 6.25-15MG/5ML Syrup ACTAVIS MID ATLANTIC118/$20.99 or 236/$29.97
Rondec DM 45-4-15MG/5ML Syrup ALLIANT PHARMACEUTICALS480/$103.1 or 1440/$292.18
Touro DM 30-575MG 12-hr Tablets DARTMOUTH100/$115.99 or 300/$315.96

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What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?
Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

  • allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
  • breathing problems
  • confusion
  • excitement, nervousness, restlessness, or irritability
  • seizure
  • slurred speech

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

  • headache
  • stomach upset
  • tiredness

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

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How should I use this medicine?
Take this medicine by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Use a specially marked spoon or container to measure each dose. Ask your pharmacist if you do not have one. Household spoons are not accurate. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Do not take it more often than directed.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as 2 years old for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

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What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

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What may interact with this medicine?
Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

  • MAOIs like Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

  • medicines for depression, anxiety, or psychotic disturbances
  • other medicines for allergies or cold
  • procarbazine

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

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Who should NOT use this medication?

  • During or within 14 days of discontinuing MAO inhibitor therapy because of risk of serotonin syndrome. (See Interactions.)
  • Known hypersensitivity to the drug or any ingredient in the respective formulation.

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What should I watch for while using this medicine?
Do not treat yourself for a cough for more than 1 week without consulting your doctor or health care professional. If you have a high fever, skin rash, lasting headache, or sore throat, see your doctor.

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol may interfere with the effect of this medicine. Avoid alcoholic drinks.

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What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

  • asthma
  • emphysema
  • large amount of mucus
  • liver disease
  • smoker
  • an unusual or allergic reaction to dextromethorphan, other medicines, bromides, foods, dyes, or preservatives
  • pregnant or trying to get pregnant
  • breast-feeding

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Can I stop taking the medication if I feel better?
As a general rule, you should always take your medications exactly as prescribed and do not change the dosage or stop taking the medication without first discussing it with your healthcare provider.

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I am on so many medications; do I have to take them all?
This is called polypharmacy—many different medications being used at the same time by one person. Sometimes, being on multiple medications is acceptable and appropriate but at other times it may be problematic. If you are receiving your medications from multiple physicians you need to ensure that they all know what medications you are taking. The best way to do this is to make a list of all the medications you are currently using, including all nutritional supplements, homeopathic remedies, vitamins and over-the-counter drugs (if possible, also include all the diseases you have been diagnosed with). Give a copy to every doctor who takes care of you so they have it on file, this way they can avoid duplicating medications and perhaps even try to consolidate some. After every doctor's visit remember to update the list accordingly. Also, as much as you possibly can, try to use the same pharmacy to fill all your prescriptions, this way any potential drug interactions can be caught and averted.

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Where can I get more information?
More Information

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