Dextromethorphan and doxylamine

Dextromethorphan is a medicine that helps stop coughing. It works on the brain signals that cause the cough reflex.

Doxylamine is an antihistamine that lessens the effects of histamine, a natural chemical in the body. Histamine can cause sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and a runny nose.

Dextromethorphan and doxylamine is used to treat cough, runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, itching, and watery eyes caused by allergies, the common cold, or the flu.

Dextromethorphan and doxylamine will not treat a cough caused by smoking, asthma, or emphysema.

Dextromethorphan and doxylamine may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Use exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Cough or cold medicine is usually taken only for a short time until your symptoms clear up.

Measure liquid medicine with the dosing syringe provided, or with a special dose-measuring spoon or medicine cup. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 7 days of treatment, or if you have a fever with a headache, cough, or skin rash.

If you need surgery or medical tests, tell the surgeon or doctor ahead of time if you have taken dextromethorphan and doxylamine within the past few days.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Do not allow the liquid to freeze.

Do not use dextromethorphan and doxylamine if you have taken an MAO inhibitor in the last 14 days. Examples of MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, or tranylcypromine.

Do not give this medication to a child younger than 4 years old. Always consult a doctor before giving a cough or cold medicine to a child. Misusing cough and cold medicines can lead to death in very young children.

You should not use antihistamine medication to make a child sleepy.

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to dextromethorphan or doxylamine.

Do not use dextromethorphan and doxylamine if you have taken an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could happen. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine, and others.

Do not give this medication to a child younger than 4 years old. Always ask a doctor before giving a cough or cold medicine to a child. Death can happen from the misuse of cough and cold medicines in very young children.

You should not use antihistamine medication to make a child sleepy.

To make sure dextromethorphan and doxylamine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• high blood pressure, heart disease;
• a thyroid disorder;
• a blockage in your digestive tract (stomach or intestines);
• liver or kidney disease;
• diabetes;
• cough with mucus, or cough caused by emphysema or chronic bronchitis;
• bladder obstruction or other urination problems; or
• if you take potassium (Cytra, Epiklor, K-Lyte, K-Phos, Kaon, Klor-Con, Polycitra, Urocit-K).

It is not known whether dextromethorphan and doxylamine will harm an unborn baby. Ask a doctor before using this medicine if you are pregnant.

Dextromethorphan and doxylamine may pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Antihistamines may also slow breast milk production. Ask a doctor before using this medicine if you are breast-feeding.

Artificially sweetened cough or cold medicine may contain phenylalanine. If you have phenylketonuria (PKU), check the medication label to see if the product contains phenylalanine.

Get emergency medical help if you notice signs of an allergic reaction: hives; trouble breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Dextromethorphan and doxylamine can cause serious side effects. Stop taking dextromethorphan and doxylamine and call your doctor immediately if you experience:

• severe dizziness or anxiety;
• a light-headed feeling, as if you might faint;
• little or no urination; or
• liver issues—nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, feeling very tired, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Common side effects of dextromethorphan and doxylamine may include:

• drowsiness, dizziness;
• nervousness;
• trouble sleeping (insomnia); or
• feeling restless or overly excited (especially in children).

This is not a complete list of side effects, and others may happen. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You can report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Usual Adult Dose for Cough and Nasal Congestion:

Dextromethorphan-doxylamine 15 mg-6.25 mg/15 mL oral liquid:30 mL orally every 6 hours not to exceed 4 doses daily.Dextromethorphan-doxylamine 7.5 mg-3.125 mg/5 mL oral liquid:20 mL orally every 6 hours not to exceed 4 doses daily.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Cough and Nasal Congestion:

Dextromethorphan-doxylamine 15 mg-6.25 mg/15 mL oral liquid:12 years or older: 30 mL orally every 6 hours not to exceed 4 doses daily.Dextromethorphan-doxylamine 7.5 mg-3.125 mg/5 mL oral liquid:12 years or older: 20 mL orally every 6 hours not to exceed 4 doses daily.

Since dextromethorphan and doxylamine is used as needed, you may not have a regular dosing schedule. If you are on a schedule and miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose. Do not take extra medicine to compensate for the missed dose.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of dextromethorphan and doxylamine.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any other cold, cough, allergy, or sleep medicine. Many combination medicines contain dextromethorphan or doxylamine. Taking certain products together can cause you to get too much of dextromethorphan and doxylamine.

This medicine may cause blurred vision or impair your thinking or reactions. Avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how dextromethorphan and doxylamine will affect you.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using this medicine if you are also using any other drugs, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Some medicines can cause unwanted or dangerous effects when used together. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.

Taking this medicine with other drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing can make these effects worse. Ask your doctor before taking dextromethorphan and doxylamine with a sleeping pill, narcotic pain medicine, muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety, depression, or seizures.