There is probably nothing more annoying than a cough that has been going on for days. Especially when you start coughing at night when you are trying to sleep, you lose sleep and your body feels very uncomfortable the next day, right? Dextromethorphan is one of the most commonly prescribed medications when we go to the doctor at times like these. So today, let's talk about this medication and the things to be careful about when using it.
What kind of medicine is Dextromethorphan?
Simply put, Dextromethorphan is a type of medicine that controls or stops a cough . In medical terms, we call these ``cough suppressants.'' This medicine does not cure the cause of your cough (for example, the virus that caused the common cold). Instead, it temporarily calms the cough center in our brain. That is, it reduces the urge to cough (cough reflex). This reduces the discomfort in your chest and throat from continuing to cough, giving you relief.
This medicine may be available under different brand names. Your doctor will prescribe the one that is most appropriate for your condition.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
Before taking any medication, it is important to tell your doctor about your medical history. If you have any of the following conditions before taking Dextromethorphan, be sure to tell your doctor.
| Do you have these conditions? | Why is notification important? |
|---|---|
| Respiratory diseases such as asthma or emphysema | Special care should be taken when using this medicine with these types of medical conditions. |
| Having a cough that produces a lot of mucus | It is important to cough up mucus. If you stop coughing, mucus can get stuck in your lungs. |
| Liver disease | Medications are cleared from the body by the liver. If you have liver disease, your dosage may need to be adjusted. |
| If you are a smoker | Treatment for a cough caused by smoking can vary. |
| If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant | It is mandatory to seek medical advice before taking any medication during pregnancy. |
| If a mother is breastfeeding her child | It is important to inform the doctor because the ingredients of the medicine can pass to the baby through breast milk. |
| If you have allergies to other medicines, foods or substances | This is important to know if you are allergic to dextromethorphan or anything else it contains. |
How should I use this medicine?
Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the instructions given by your doctor or the medicine package insert exactly as directed. Take only the prescribed dose, at the prescribed time. Do not take more than the doctor tells you to.
Although this medicine is generally recommended for children over 12 years of age under certain conditions, it is essential to seek the advice of a pediatrician when giving it to children under that age.
Overdosage
Warning: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.
And remember, this medicine is prescribed for you only. Never share your medicine with others.
What to do if you miss a dose of medicine?
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take two doses at the same time to make up for a missed dose.
Other things that may interact with this medicine (Interactions)
Some medications can interact when taken together. This can cause side effects or change the way the medication works.
| Things you should never take with Dextromethorphan | |
|---|---|
| Type of medicine | Description |
| MAOI type medication | These are medications used to treat conditions such as depression. (Ex: Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, Parnate). Dextromethorphan should not be taken for at least 2 weeks after stopping these medications. |
| Other medications that may interact with Dextromethorphan | |
| Medication for mental illness | Medications for conditions such as depression and anxiety. |
| Other cold or allergy medications | These may also contain Dextromethorphan or similar ingredients. |
| Procarbazine | This is a medicine given for cancer. |
This list is not complete. Therefore, give your doctor a complete list of all medications you take (prescribed by other doctors, purchased from the pharmacy), herbal products you use, and even vitamins.
Things to be careful about when taking medicine
- If your cough does not subside after more than a week , or if you develop other symptoms such as a high fever, skin rash, persistent headache, or sore throat , do not self-medicate and see your doctor again.
- You may feel drowsy or dizzy when taking this medicine. Therefore, avoid activities that require alertness, such as driving or operating machinery, until you know how this medicine affects your body.
- Especially if you are older, be careful when moving from standing to sitting and from sitting to standing. This can reduce the risk of dizziness and falls.
- Avoid drinking alcohol. Combining alcohol with this medication may cause excessive drowsiness and dizziness.
Possible side effects
| Side effects that require immediate medical attention | |
|---|---|
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, difficulty breathing. |
| Side effects that should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Dizziness | Occasional dizziness. |
| Drowsiness | Unusually sleepy. |
| Fatigue | Feeling of lifelessness. |
This list does not include all possible side effects. If you experience anything different or unusual, talk to your doctor about it.
How should I store the medicine?
- Keep it out of the reach of children .
- Store at room temperature (between 20-25 degrees Celsius). Protect from excessive heat and light.
- Throw away expired medicine.
Take-Home Message
- Dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant. Always take only the dose and at the right time as prescribed by your doctor.
- Tell your doctor about any other medical conditions you have (asthma, liver disease) and all other medications you are taking.
- Avoid driving and performing tasks that require alertness as this medicine may cause drowsiness or dizziness. Do not drink alcohol.
- If you suspect an overdose, go to a hospital emergency room (ETU) immediately or contact the National Poisons Information Center.
- If the cough does not subside within a week or if other symptoms such as fever and body aches appear, seek medical advice again.
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