What is Despec DM?
Dextromethorphan suppresses coughing. It works by affecting the brain signals that cause the cough reflex. Guaifenesin acts as an expectorant. This expectorant helps to loosen up congestion in the chest and throat. It makes it easier for you to cough through your mouth. Pseudoephedrine acts as a nasal decongestant by narrowing blood vessels. Dilated vessels in the nose can lead to congestion. Despec DM, a combination medication, is used to treat allergies, flu, a common cold or cough caused by the flu, allergies, and a stuffy nose. Despec DM does not treat coughs caused by smoking or asthma. Despec DM can also be used in other ways not mentioned in the medication guide.
Side effects of Despec DM
If you experience any of the following symptoms of an allergy reaction, seek immediate medical attention: difficulty breathing, hives, swelling in your lips, face, throat, or tongue.
The medication can cause severe side effects. If you experience:
- Fast or irregular heartbeat;
- Feeling dizzy or anxious, as if you could pass out.
- Severe headache
- Mood changes
- fever;
- High blood pressure can be dangerous (headache, nausea, buzzing or ringing in the ears, heart palpitations, irregular heartbeats, and seizures).
Despec DM can cause the following side effects:
- Diarrhea;
- Dizziness, drowsiness;
- Sleep problems (insomnia);
- Feeling nervous, restless, or irritable.
There may be other side effects.Call your physician immediately if experiencing side effects; alternatively you can report these to FDA by dialing their hotline: 1-800-FDA-1088.
Warnings
Despec DM should not be used if an MAO inhibitor has been taken in the last 14 days. Examples include isocarboxazid linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, or tranylcypromine.
Before you take this drug
This medicine should not be taken if you are allergic to dextromethorphan or guaifenesin.
You should not take this medication if you've taken an MAO inhibitor in the last 14 days. A harmful drug-drug interaction may occur. The MAO inhibitors are isocarboxazid (linezolid), phenelzine (rasagiline), selegiline (tranylcypromine), and rasagiline.
If you are suffering from:
- High blood pressure, or coronary artery disease.
- Diabetes;
- Glaucoma;
- Epilepsy and other seizure disorders
- Urination or prostate problems;
- Pheochromocytoma
- Chronic bronchitis or emphysema may produce an irritating and mucus-filled cough that impairs breathing.
Despec DM is unknown to cause harm to an unborn child. Consult your doctor before taking this medication if you're pregnant. The medicine can pass through breast milk, which could harm nursing babies. Decongestants can also reduce breast milk production. Consult your doctor if you plan to breastfeed a child before taking this medication. Phenylalanine can be found in cold medicines that are artificially sweetened. Check the label of your medication to determine if it contains phenylalanine if you suffer from phenylketonuria.
How to take Despec DM?
Do not exceed the recommended dosage or duration. Use the recommended dose and do not exceed it. Cold and cough medicine should be taken for only a few days until symptoms are gone. This medication should not be given to children younger than four years of age. Ask a doctor first before you give a cough medicine or cold medication to your child. Children as young as 4 years old can die from misuse. Keep the tablet intact. Do not chew or crush it. It is best to swallow it whole. Use the provided dosing device, a dose-measuring spoon, or medicine cups. Ask your pharmacist if you don't have one. While taking this medicine, drink extra fluids in order to loosen congestion and lubricate the throat. Tell your doctor or surgeon if you've taken DespecDM in the last few days and if you plan to have surgery or undergo medical testing. Take the medication for no more than seven days. Speak to your doctor if symptoms don't improve within 7 days or you experience a fever, headaches, or a skin rash. Keep away from heat and moisture. Liquid medicines must not be allowed to freeze.
What happens if I miss the dose?
You may not have a regular dosing regimen because this medication is only taken as needed. Take the missed dosage as soon as possible if you take this medication regularly. If your next dose is approaching, skip the missed dose. You should not take more medicine to compensate for a missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Call 1-800-222-1222 for poison help or seek immediate medical attention.
What should be avoided?
Despec DM can cause blurred or impaired vision or affect your ability to think or react. You should be careful when driving or doing anything else that requires alertness and the ability to see clearly. Certain side effects can be exacerbated by alcohol consumption. Before using any other allergy, cold, or cough medicine, consult your doctor. Many combination medications contain Despec DM. You can get an overdose of certain drugs by taking certain products in combination. You can check the label of a medication to determine if it contains decongestants, expectorants, or cough suppressants.
Interaction with other drug
Before using this medication, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you also use any other medications, such as prescriptions and OTC medicines, vitamins, and herbs. When used in combination, some medicines may cause harmful or unwanted effects. This medication guide does not list all interactions. This medicine can have adverse effects if taken with drugs that cause you to sleep or reduce your breathing. You should consult your doctor before combining this medication with sleeping pills, narcotics, muscle relaxers, anxiety or depression medications, or medicines for seizures.
