Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about other medications that contain dextromethorphan. Do not take more dextromethorphan than recommended on the product label, as this can lead to harmful effects. Alcohol and DXM co-use increase the risk of injury to major organs, like the heart and liver. Co-use can increase the common side effects of both, like becoming dizzy or drowsy, and increased heart rate. A 2018 report found 1 in 30 teens misuse DXM, and 6 in 10 teens misuse alcohol.
Experts think the drug acts on the brain to suppress the cough reflex but are unsure exactly how it works. Although DXM is structurally similar to opioids, it works on different receptors in the brain than opioids. Nonetheless, about 1.5 million Americans misuse DXM and other cough medications to get high.
Mental pain, although distinguishable, constitutes a crucial framework in major depressive disorder (MDD) as the pair may precipitate suicide risk. There has been a renewed interest in targeting the opioid system for antidepressant treatment in MDD and to soothe mental pain. The combination of dextromethorphan and bupropion is a well-tolerated, rapid-acting treatment option for adults affected by MDD. We hypothesized that dextromethorphan-bupropion could impact the reduction of mental pain in MDD patients by targeting the opioid system, as supported by Panksepp’s theory. The combination of dextromethorphan with bupropion might deal with various aspects of mental pain, possibly improving treatment results. Acetaminophen and alcohol are extremely dangerous to mix since they strongly compete for processing in the liver.
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. Mild side effects of many drugs may go away within a few days to a couple of weeks.
But if they become bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Dextromethorphan is a generic drug, which means it’s an exact copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication. The brand-name medications that dextromethorphan is based on are Delsym and Robitussin Long-Acting CoughGels. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves dextromethorphan to help relieve coughing from a short-term cause.
Quinolone antibiotics like Cipro (ciprofloxacin) treat bacterial infections. When taken with caffeine, quinolone antibiotics can enhance caffeine’s effects and increase the risk of side effects like heart palpitations and restlessness. Avoid drinking coffee or other caffeinated beverages when taking this antibiotic.
Melody is here to help as you adjust to a life with less (or no) alcohol. If you’re concerned about misuse or dependence while taking dextromethorphan, talk with your doctor. Find answers to some commonly asked questions about dextromethorphan. The information below is from the instructions on the product labels.
You might also experience withdrawal symptoms if you suddenly stop taking them. If you’re having trouble abstaining from alcohol use while taking dextromethorphan, you may be suffering from an alcohol addiction. Intentionally combining dextromethorphan with alcohol to intensify the effects is also a type of substance misuse and it can lead to drug addiction. Taking pseudoephedrine with coffee may increase the risk of side effects such as restlessness, heart palpitations, and trouble sleeping.
The use of DXM can be very dangerous, but its wide accessibility means it could go unnoticed for long periods of time. If you’re worried about drug use, it’s important to learn about the treatment options available. Alcohol can increase dextromethorphan’s ability to cause the body to overheat, leading to potentially fatal health problems like heat stroke. Delirium is a state of confusion or dissociation caused by many different things, including infection, illness, injury, and substance abuse. Delirious people may have trouble thinking clearly, they may be disoriented, and they may experience an out-of-body sensation. Mark S. Gold, M.D., is a pioneering researcher, professor, and chairman of psychiatry at Yale, the University of Florida, and Washington University in St Louis.
One of the main safety concerns with taking cough drops while drinking alcohol is the risk of interactions with dextromethorphan (DXM). Cough drops are over-the-counter medications that are used to relieve coughing and sore throats. They typically contain active ingredients like menthol, eucalyptus oil, honey, or dextromethorphan that help suppress cough reflexes and soothe irritation in the throat. Alcohol is a depressant drug that slows down the central nervous system and impacts brain function and motor skills when consumed in excess. Many people wonder if it is safe to consume alcohol while taking cough drops to treat cold and flu symptoms. There are a few factors to consider when determining whether this combination is safe or could potentially cause negative side effects.
Do not drink coffee when taking Sudafed (pseudoephedrine) or Allegra (fexofenadine). High blood pressure (hypertension) is a common chronic health condition in the United States. When left untreated, hypertension can you drink on dextromethorphan can lead to heart disease and stroke.
Be sure to follow the instructions on the product labels when taking it. And see the “Questions about taking dextromethorphan” section below for information on how to take dextromethorphan. “Extended release” means the drug is released into your body slowly over a long period of time. It’s not known whether it’s safe to take dextromethorphan during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. If you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning either, talk with your doctor before taking dextromethorphan. Generic drugs are thought to be as safe and effective as the brand-name drug on which they’re based.
The following lists contain some of the key side effects that may occur while taking dextromethorphan. Ultimately, the best approach is to avoid mixing dextromethorphan with alcohol altogether and to seek medical advice promptly if negative interactions are suspected. Stimulants and sedatives (such as alcohol) mask each other’s effects. So, mixing the two together increases the likelihood of overdose on either substance. There is no safe amount of alcohol, and any mixture of these substances poses dangerous risks.
Using alcohol with medications used to treat heartburn, both prescription and over-the-counter, can cause tachycardia (rapid heartbeat) and sudden changes in blood pressure. These drugs can also make the effects of alcohol more intense, leading to impaired judgment and sedation. The most common effect from this interaction is drowsiness as alcohol is a depressant with these effects multiplied as it’s mixed with DayQuil. Here are other ways these substances interact when mixed with alcohol and how they ultimately affect the body.
Misusing dextromethorphan for these effects can cause harmful side effects, such as breathing problems. To learn more about this, see “Overdose” in the “Dextromethorphan dosage” section above. Taking more than the recommended dosage of dextromethorphan can lead to harmful effects. Do not take more dextromethorphan than recommended on the product label.
Healthcare professionals may recommend dextromethorphan for adults and some children. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you. In severe overdose, it can lead to death from respiratory failure, which means you stop breathing.