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If you’re interested in finding an alternative to dextromethorphan, talk with your pharmacist. They can tell you about other medications that may work well for you. Dextromethorphan is approved to help relieve cough caused by minor throat or airway irritation (see just above for more information). Keep in mind that dextromethorphan doesn’t treat the underlying cause of your cough, such as the common cold or flu.
Why Is This Medication Prescribed?
DXM is a semisynthetic antitussive medication found in hundreds of over-the-counter cold medications around the world. It is best known by its trade name, Robitussin, but is commonly found in other cough medicines such as Nyquil, Benylin DM, Coricidin Cough and Cold, and many more. Among other mechanisms of action, DXM and its major metabolite dextrorphan produce its dissociative effects by antagonizing the glutamatergic NMDA receptor. Below is a list of medications, supplements, and foods that can interact with dextromethorphan.
Dextromethorphan can sometimes cause harmful effects in people who have certain conditions. Other factors may also affect whether dextromethorphan is a good option for you. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about the potential side effects of dextromethorphan. Dextromethorphan should not be taken while you are using certain other medicines. Before taking dextromethorphan, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.
Depression
Misuse refers to taking a drug in a way that differs from the product label or your doctor’s prescribed instructions. Without prompt medical care, severe cases of serotonin syndrome can lead to death. In extreme cases or if untreated, overdose can lead to coma or death. But if you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

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At high doses, they give the abuser a feeling of not being in one’s own body. It depends on how much DXM is taken and what other drugs or chemicals are taken along with it. DXM is shorthand for the drug dextromethorphan, a cough suppressant found in several over-the-counter cold medications.
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Do not combine it with GHB, alcohol, opioids, tramadol, or benzodiazepines. These combinations can increase the chances of dangerous respiratory depression and unconsciousness. The following lists contain some of the key side effects that may occur while taking dextromethorphan. DXM is the dextrorotary enantiomer of racemethorphan (3-methoxy-17-methylmorphinan), an opioid. DXM is a N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist and a sigma1 receptor agonist; it also increases serotonin neurotransmission in the brain.
What Happens If I Miss A Dose Of Dextromethorphan?
All of these treatments work together to treat both the symptoms of addiction as well as any underlying mental health concerns that may be contributing to your substance use. Addiction never occurs in a vacuum, and most people will need help in several different areas in order to develop a plan for recovery that can succeed for years to come. Polydrug use is a term for the use of more than one drug or type of drug at the same time or one after another. Polydrug use can involve both illicit drugs and legal substances, such as alcohol and medications. In 2009, the National Institute on Drug Abuse’s Monitoring the Future Survey found that 6% of high school seniors had abused DXM.
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In a Dextromethorphan and Adderall combo, the former acts as an NMDA receptor antagonist, and this could reduce the onset of amphetamine tolerance. Effects of mixing Dextromethorphan and Adderall are seizures, muscle spasms, and confusion. As such, variabilities in the metabolism can either lead to a failed therapeutic outcome or potential adverse health effects. DXM HBr is absorbed quickly and has an elimination half-life of 2-4 hours.


The actual price you’ll pay depends on your insurance plan, your location, and the pharmacy you use. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves over-the-counter (OTC) drugs such as dextromethorphan to treat certain conditions. It’s not known whether dextromethorphan should be taken while breastfeeding.
- So, what is dissociation like and how does ketamine create it?
- Both drugs work through the same receptors (NMDA) and the visions are very comparable.
- Approach your loved one with empathy and express your concerns without judgment.
- This can lead to lethargic thought processes in smaller doses and complete dissociation and amnesia in higher doses.
- This section describes dosages of dextromethorphan, an OTC medication.
- At times, Dextromethorphan and marijuana abuse could lead to death.
Lee, Substance Use & Misuse (2023), these behavioral symptoms disrupt daily life and contribute to the cycle of addiction. Early recognition of these symptoms can facilitate timely intervention and improve the chances of successful recovery. Taking more than the directed dose of DXM — or any medication for that matter — comes with severe risks.

If you are taking dextromethorphan oral liquid or extended-release oral suspension, use an accurate measuring device to measure your dose, such as a dosing cup provided with the medicine. A household spoon is not an accurate measuring device and may cause you to take the wrong dose. Use the dosing cup provided with the product or ask your pharmacist to recommend an appropriate measuring device. Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific dextromethorphan products they stock.
Also tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you use. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions. Doctors sometimes prescribe a brand-name medication called Auvelity to treat depression. Auvelity contains dextromethorphan with another drug called bupropion. The dose of dextromethorphan in Auvelity is different than the recommended dose of OTC dextromethorphan. Below is a partial list of mild side effects of dextromethorphan.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice on which product is best for your symptoms. Check nonprescription cough and cold product labels carefully before using 2 or more products at the same time. These products may contain the same active ingredient(s) and taking them together could cause you to receive an overdose.
The combination of DXM and weed has such effects as delusions, agitation, mood changes. After taking this drug and cannabis, the concentration may diminish, thus making it hazardous to drive or operate heavy machinery. At times, Dextromethorphan and marijuana abuse could lead to death. DXM HBr or Dextromethorphan is an over-the-counter drug, and its main use is a cough suppressant. Dextromethorphan does not cure a cough or speed up the healing process but merely gives temporary relief.