Dextromethorphan: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use

What Drug Dextromethorphan?

What is Dextromethorphan for?

Dextromethorphan is a drug that works to treat cough with phlegm due to certain airway infections (eg sinusitis, common cold). This product is not usually used for persistent cough caused by smoking or long-term respiratory problems such as chronic bronchitis, emphysema). The way dextromethorphan works is by reducing the urge to cough.

Cough-and-flu products have not been shown to be safe or effective for children younger than 6 years. Therefore, children less than 6 years of age should not use this product to treat flu symptoms if it is not specifically instructed by a doctor. Some products (such as long-acting tablets / capsules) are not recommended for children under 12 years of age. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details on how to use the product safely.

This product does not cure or shorten the time for the common cold and may cause serious side effects. To reduce the risk of serious side effects, follow dosage instructions carefully. Do not use this product to make a child sleepy. Do not give other cough-and-cold medicines which may contain similar ingredients (see also Drug Interactions section). Ask your doctor or pharmacist about other ways to relieve cough and flu symptoms (such as drinking enough fluids, using a moisturizer or saline drops / nasal spray).

The dextromethorphan dosage and the side effects of dextromethorphan are described further below.

How to use Dextromethorphan?

Take this medication by mouth, usually every 4-12 hours as needed or as directed by your doctor. If stomach pain appears, drink it after eating or drinking milk. Use a medication measuring device to measure the dose of liquid medicine. Don't use a home spoon as you may not get the right dose. If you are using a suspension, shake it properly before measuring a dose.

The dosage is based on the product you are using and your age, medical condition, and response to treatment. If you are using this medication alone (without a doctor's prescription), follow the specific dosage instructions on the pack to find the correct dosage for your age.

If your doctor tells you to use the medicine every day, use it regularly for maximum benefit. To help remind yourself, use it at the same time every day.

Improper use of drugs (drug abuse) may be fatal (eg brain damage, seizures, death). Do not increase your dose, use it more often, or for longer than recommended. Stop medication properly according to doctor's advice.

Tell your doctor if your symptoms don't go away or get worse after more than 1 week or you also have fever, chills, headache, or rash. This may be a sign of a more serious condition.

How is Dextromethorphan stored?

Dextromethorphan is a drug that should be stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it. Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Dextromethorphan dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the Dextromethorphan dosage for adults?

To treat coughs, the dosage of dextromethorphan is:

• Capsules, Liquids, Tablets, Syrup: 10-30 mg orally every 4-8 hours
• Candies: 3 candies (10 mg each) orally every 6-8 hours
• Crumbles: 15-30 mg orally every 6-8 hours
• Maximum dose: 120 mg / day

What is the dosage of Dextromethorphan for children?

The dosage for children younger than 4 years has not been determined.

In what dosage is Dextromethorphan available?

The availability of dextromethorphan drugs are:

• Syrup
• Tablet
• Capsule
• Candy

Dextromethorphan side effects

What side effects can be experienced due to Dextromethorphan?

The less common and milder side effects of the drug Dextromethorphan are:

• Stomach ache
• Sleepy
• Dizzy
• Nausea
• Gag

Not everyone experiences the following side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Dextromethorphan Drug Warnings and Cautions

What should be known before using Dextromethorphan?

Some things you should know before taking dextromethorphan are:

• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to dextromethorphan, other drugs, or the ingredients of the products you are going to use. Check the wrapper label for a list of ingredients
• Do not use dextromethorphan if you are taking monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), and tranylcypromine (Parnate), or if you stopped using MAO inhibitors within the previous 2 weeks.
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist about prescription and nonprescription drugs, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products that you are taking or will be taking
• Tell your doctor if you smoke, have a cough with phlegm, or have breathing problems such as asthma, emphysema, or chronic bronchitis.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while taking dextromethorphan, call your doctor
• If you have phenylketonuria (PKU, a special condition in which you have to follow a special diet to prevent mental retardation), you should know that some brands of Dextromethorphan tablets may be sweetened with aspartame, a source of phenylalanine.

Is Dextromethorphan safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There are no adequate studies regarding the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication. This drug is included in the risk of pregnancy category C according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States, or the equivalent of the POM in Indonesia.

The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

• A = Not at risk
• B = No risk in several studies
• C = May be risky
• D = There is positive evidence of risk
• X = Contraindicated
• N = Unknown

There have not been sufficient studies in women to determine infant risk when using this medicine during breastfeeding. Consider the potential benefits as well as the potential risks before using this medicine during breastfeeding.

Dextromethorphan Drug Interactions

What medicines may interact with Dextromethorphan?

Although several types of drugs cannot be taken at the same time, there are also cases where the drugs can be taken simultaneously if there is an interaction. In this case, the doctor may change the dose, or may need to be prevented. While taking this medication, it is important to tell your healthcare professional that you are using the medicines below.

The interactions below have been selected based on their significant potential and need not be too inclusive. Using this medicine together with other medicines is usually not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with the medicines below or change some of the other drugs that you are taking.

• Clorgyline
• Iproniazid
• Isocarboxazid
• Moclobemide
• Nialamide
• Pargyline
• Phenelzine
• Procarbazine
• Rasagiline
• Selegiline
• Toloxatone
• Tranylcypromine

Using this medicine in combination with other medicines below is usually not recommended, but may be necessary in some cases. If both drugs are prescribed simultaneously, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both drugs.

• Almotriptan
• Amitriptyline
• Amoxapine
• Bupropion
• Citalopram
• Clomipramine
• Desipramine
• Desvenlafaxine
• Dolasetron
• Doxepin
• Duloxetine
• Escitalopram
• Fentanyl
• Fluoxetine
• Fluvoxamine
• Granisetron
• Hydroxytryptophan
• Imipramine
• Levomilnacipran
• Linezolid
• Lorcaserin
• Meperidine
• Milnacipran
• Mirtazapine
• Nortriptyline
• Palonosetron
• Paroxetine
• Protriptyline
• Sertraline
• Sibutramine
• Tramadol
• Trazodone
• Trimipramine
• Venlafaxine
• Vortioxetine

Taking this medicine with other medicines may increase your risk of certain side effects, but taking both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both drugs are prescribed simultaneously, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both drugs.

• Abiraterone Acetate
• Clobazam
• Haloperidol
• Quinidine
• Vemurafenib

Can food or alcohol interact with Dextromethorphan?

Certain drugs cannot be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

What health conditions may interact with Dextromethorphan?

Some of the health conditions that may interact with the drug dextromethorphan are:

• Asthma
• Diabetes
• Liver disease
• Acute bronchitis
• Emphysema
• Cough with phlegm
• Hard to breathe

Dextromethorphan overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (112) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department. Symptoms of a dextromethorphan overdose are:

• Nausea
• Gag
• Sleepy
• Dizzy
• Losing balance
• Vision changes
• Difficulty breathing
• Fast heart rate
• Hallucinating
• Convulsions
• Coma

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.