What is Dextromethorphan and phenylephrine?
Dextromethorphan suppresses coughing. It works by affecting the brain signals that trigger the cough reflex. Phenylephrine shrinks the blood vessels of the nasal passages. Dilated blood vessels can cause congestion in the nasal passages. Combination medicine that contains dextromethorphan, phenylephrine, and other ingredients is used to treat allergies, flu, common colds, or coughs caused by the flu. Dextromethorphan or phenylephrine won't treat a cough caused by emphysema, asthma, or smoking. This medication guide does not list all possible uses for dextromethorphan or phenylephrine.
Side effects of Dextromethorphan and Phenylephrine
If you experience any of the following signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing, facial or throat swelling and difficulty swallowing (among others), seek medical assistance immediately: hives; difficulty in taking deep breaths (dyspnea); difficulties when speaking; facial, lips or tongue swelling and throat inflammation/swelling
Dextromethorphan may have serious side effects. If you experience:
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Fast or irregular heart rate
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Feeling dizzy or anxious, as if you could pass out.
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Severe headache
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Mood changes
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Fever;
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High blood pressure can be dangerous (headache, blurred vision or buzzing in the ears, anxiety, chest discomfort, irregular heartbeats, and seizures).
Some of the common side effects that dextromethorphan or phenylephrine can cause include:
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Diarrhea;
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Dizziness, drowsiness;
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Sleep problems (insomnia);
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Feeling nervous, restless, or irritable.
There may be other side effects. Call your physician if experiencing symptoms. The FDA can be reached for reporting purposes at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Warnings
If you've used MAO inhibitors in the last 14 days, do not take dextromethorphan or phenylephrine. A dangerous drug interaction may occur. MAO inhibitors are isocarboxazid, linezolid, and methylene blue injections. Phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, Tranylcypromine, and others
Before you take this drug
If you have an allergy to dextromethorphan or phenylephrine, then do not use dextromethorphan. If you've taken an MAO inhibitor within the last 14 days, do not take dextromethorphan or phenylephrine.An unfortunate drug interaction could occur.MAO inhibitors are isocarboxazid (linezolid), methylene blue injection, phenelzine, and other drugs.
If you suffer from:
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High blood pressure
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Hardened Arteries
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Diabetes;
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Glaucoma;
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Epilepsy or another seizure disorder
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Urination or prostate problems;
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Pheochromocytoma
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Chronic bronchitis or emphysema can cause a cough that is mucus-laden.
FDA pregnancy class C There is no information on whether dextromethorphan or phenylephrine can harm an unborn child. If you are pregnant, do not take this medication without consulting your doctor. Dextromethorphan, phenylephrine, and other drugs can pass through breast milk to harm nursing babies. Decongestants can also reduce breast milk production. If you are breastfeeding a child, do not take this medication without consulting your doctor. Phenylalanine can be found in artificially sweetened cold medicines; check the label to determine whether your medicine contains this amino acid if you have phenylketonuria.
How to take Dextromethorphan or phenylephrine?
Be mindful not to exceed the recommended dosage or duration. Only take what is prescribed without exceeding it - usually only necessary for several days until symptoms have subsided. If your symptoms don't improve within seven days or you experience headaches accompanied by fever, coughing or skin rashes, consult with a medical provider immediately. Cough and cold medications shouldn't be given to children younger than four years old without first consulting your healthcare provider; please get their approval prior to giving any such drugs to children. Children as young as 4 can die from improper use of cough medicines. Do not use regular spoons to measure liquid medicines - instead use dose-measuring spoons, medicine cups or medicine cup and cup as recommended by your pharmacist if available; contact them if not available and inform your physician or surgeon if taken recently before medical tests or procedures take place; store at room temperature away from moisture or heat with liquid medications not being allowed to freeze.
Details on dosage
The usual pediatric dose for nasal congestion and cough:
Dextromethorphan/phenylephrine, 5 mg per 5 mL:
Children aged 6–12 years: 10 mL every four hours
Under 6 years of age: 5 mL per 4 hours
Maximum dose: 6 doses per 24 hours
What happens if I miss the dose?
You may not have a regular dosing regimen, as dextromethorphan or phenylephrine are taken only when necessary. Take the missed dose immediately if you take the medication regularly.If the next scheduled dosage is due soon, consider skipping any missed ones and waiting.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?
Dextromethorphan or phenylephrine can cause blurred 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. Alcohol can enhance certain side effects from dextromethorphan or phenylephrine. Before using any other allergy, cold, or cough medication, consult your doctor. Many combination medications contain dextromethorphan or phenylephrine. You can take too much medication by taking certain products together. You can check the label of a medication to see if it contains a cough suppressant or decongestant.
Interaction with other drug
Before taking dextromethorphan with phenylephrine, always inform your healthcare provider or pharmacist of all medications taken (prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products) since many interactions between medications could produce unwanted or harmful side effects; unfortunately this medication guide cannot list them all. Dextromethorphan may interact negatively if taken alongside drugs that make you sleep or slow your breathing; consult your healthcare provider about taking both together if taking sleeping pills, narcotic painkillers muscle relaxants or medications to treat anxiety depression seizures or anxiety symptoms or seizures symptoms or seizures treatments alongside this medicine to minimize potential interactions that might occur with any possible interactions; unfortunately this medication guide does not list all possible interactions involving its possible interactions; ask about taking dextromethorphan with phenylephrine as taking dextromethorphan and phenylephrine may have detrimental side-effects if taken alongside medications that induce sleep or slow down breathing or cause your breathing slowing down further breathing slowing breathing-such as sleeping pills, narcotic painkillers muscle relaxers as well as medicines used treat anxiety depression seizures etc.
