Dextromethorphan

= Dextromethorphan =

Not to be confused with [|Dexamethasone]. Dextromethorphan ||||~ DXM is also used recreationally. When exceeding label-specified maximum dosages, dextromethorphan acts as a [|dissociative] [|hallucinogen]. Its [|mechanism of action] is via multiple effects, including actions as a nonselective [|serotonin reuptake inhibitor][|[3]] and a [|sigma-1 receptor][|[4]][|[5]] agonist and the action of its major metabolite [|dextrorphan] as an [|NMDA receptor antagonist], producing effects similar to those of the controlled substances [|ketamine] and [|phencyclidine] (PCP), [|[6]] as well as the active metabolite [|3-methoxymorphinan] , which produces local anesthetic effects in rats with a potency above dextrorphan but below dextromethorphan itself. [|[7]] "Dextromethorphan." //Wikipedia//. Wikimedia Foundation, 05 Sept. 2012. Web. 09 May 2012. . ===Warning === ** FDA Intends to Remove // Some // Unapproved Cough, Cold, and Allergy Drugs from the Market ** // This safety alert does not apply to this medication, but only to some products which contain this medication. In addition, it is important that you know that there is not a problem with most of the products described in this medication monograph. And some drug companies may decide to seek full approval from the FDA so that they can continue marketing their products. // On March 2, 2011, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a safety alert about certain unapproved prescription cough, cold, and allergy products containing this drug in combination with other drugs. These products are not currently approved by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, and quality. FDA asked drug companies to stop shipping most of these products for sale in the US within the next 6 months. Although some of these products have been marketed for many years, laws about what a company must prove to FDA for drug product approval have gotten tougher and increased enforcement of these laws is now taking place. The FDA took this action due to concerns about certain potential risks associated with use of these medications. These risks may include: If you are concerned that the prescription cough, cold, and allergy medication you are taking is not approved by the FDA, you should talk to your doctor or pharmacist. If the medication you are taking is not approved, your doctor can prescribe another prescription medication or your doctor or pharmacist can suggest an over-the-counter (OTC) cough, cold, and allergy product for your condition. There are many safe and effective alternative approved products that can be taken instead. Your doctor probably prescribed the medicine without knowing that FDA had not approved it. This is because it has been so difficult for doctors and pharmacists to find out that these products are unapproved. For additional information: [|Show full warning]
 * ~ [[image:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/00/Dextromethorphan-from-xtal-3D-balls-A.png/220px-Dextromethorphan-from-xtal-3D-balls-A.png width="220" height="216" link="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Dextromethorphan-from-xtal-3D-balls-A.png"]] ||
 * ~ Systematic ( [|IUPAC] ) name ||
 * = (+)-3-methoxy-17-methyl-(9α,13α,14α)-morphinan ||
 * ~ Clinical data ||
 * ~ [|Trade names] || Delsym ||
 * ~ [|AHFS] / [|Drugs.com] || [|monograph]  ||
 * ~ [|MedlinePlus] || [|a682492]  ||
 * ~ [|Pregnancy cat.] || A ( [|AU] ) C ( [|US] ) ||
 * ~ [|Legal status] || [|Pharmacy Only (S2)] ( [|AU] ) [|OTC] ( [|US] ) ||
 * ~ [|Routes] || Oral ||
 * ~ Pharmacokinetic data ||
 * ~ [|Bioavailability] || 11% [|[1]] ||
 * ~ [|Metabolism] || Hepatic (liver) enzymes: major [|CYP2D6], minor [|CYP3A4] , and minor [|CYP3A5] ||
 * ~ [|Half-life] || 1.4–3.9 hours ||
 * ~ [|Excretion] || [|Renal] ||
 * ~ Identifiers ||
 * ~ [|CAS number] || [|125-71-3]  [[image:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/f/fb/Yes_check.svg/7px-Yes_check.svg.png width="7" height="7" caption="Yes"]] ||
 * ~ [|ATC code] || [|R05] [|DA09]  ||
 * ~ [|PubChem] || [|CID 15978238]  ||
 * ~ [|DrugBank] || [|DB00514]  ||
 * ~ [|ChemSpider] || [|13109865]  [[image:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/f/fb/Yes_check.svg/7px-Yes_check.svg.png width="7" height="7" caption="Yes"]] ||
 * ~ [|UNII] || [|7355X3ROTS]  [[image:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/f/fb/Yes_check.svg/7px-Yes_check.svg.png width="7" height="7" caption="Yes"]] ||
 * ~ [|KEGG] || [|D03742]  [[image:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/f/fb/Yes_check.svg/7px-Yes_check.svg.png width="7" height="7" caption="Yes"]] ||
 * ~ [|ChEMBL] || [|CHEMBL52440]  [[image:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/f/fb/Yes_check.svg/7px-Yes_check.svg.png width="7" height="7" caption="Yes"]] ||
 * ~ Chemical data ||
 * ~ [|Formula] || [|C] 18 [|H] 25 [|N][|O] ||
 * ~ [|Mol. mass] || 271.4 g/mol ||
 * ~ [|SMILES] || [|eMolecules]  &  [|PubChem]  ||
 * [|InChI] [|[show]] ||
 * ~ Physical data ||
 * ~ [|Melt. point] || 111 °C (232 °F) ||
 * ~ [[image:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/f/fb/Yes_check.svg/14px-Yes_check.svg.png width="14" height="14" caption="Yes"]] [|(what is this?)] [|(verify)]  ||
 * Dextromethorphan** (**DXM** or **DM**) is an [|antitussive] (cough suppressant) [|drug] . It is one of the active ingredients in many [|over-the-counter] [|cold] and [|cough] medicines, such as Mucinex DM, [|Robitussin], [|NyQuil] , [|Dimetapp] , [|Vicks] , [|Coricidin] , [|Delsym] , and others, including [|generic] labels. Dextromethorphan has also found other uses in medicine, ranging from [|pain relief] to [|psychological] applications. It is sold in syrup, tablet, spray, and [|lozenge] forms. In its pure form, dextromethorphan occurs as a white powder. [|[2]]
 * Dextromethorphan** (**DXM** or **DM**) is an [|antitussive] (cough suppressant) [|drug] . It is one of the active ingredients in many [|over-the-counter] [|cold] and [|cough] medicines, such as Mucinex DM, [|Robitussin], [|NyQuil] , [|Dimetapp] , [|Vicks] , [|Coricidin] , [|Delsym] , and others, including [|generic] labels. Dextromethorphan has also found other uses in medicine, ranging from [|pain relief] to [|psychological] applications. It is sold in syrup, tablet, spray, and [|lozenge] forms. In its pure form, dextromethorphan occurs as a white powder. [|[2]]
 * the possibility of improper use in infants and young children
 * potentially risky combinations of ingredients
 * patients receiving too much or too little of the medication because of problems with the way some timed-release products are made
 * You can visit the FDA website ([] ) for more information about this action to remove unapproved cough, cold, and allergy products from the market.
 * You can find a list of unapproved products by going to ([] ).
 * For information on how to dispose of unused products, go to[].

Why is this medication prescribed?
Dextromethorphan is used to temporarily relieve cough caused by the common cold, the flu, or other conditions. Dextromethorphan will relieve a cough but will not treat the cause of the cough or speed recovery. Dextromethorphan is in a class of medications called antitussives. It works by decreasing activity in the part of the brain that causes coughing.

How should this medicine be used?
Dextromethorphan comes as a liquid-filled capsule, a chewable tablet, a dissolving strip, a solution (liquid), an extended-release (long-acting) suspension (liquid), and a lozenge to take by mouth. It is usually taken every 4 to 12 hours as needed. Follow the directions on the package or prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Dextromethorphan should only be used according to the label or package directions. Do not take more than the recommended amount of dextromethorphan in a 24-hour period. Refer to the package or prescription label to determine the amount contained in each dose. Taking dextromethorphan in large amounts can cause serious side effects or death. Dextromethorphan comes alone and in combination with antihistamines, cough suppressants, and decongestants. 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. This is especially important if you will be giving cough and cold medications to a child. Nonprescription cough and cold combination products, including products that contain dextromethorphan, can cause serious side effects or death in young children. Do not give these products to children younger than 4 years of age. If you give these products to children 4-11 years of age, use caution and follow the package directions carefully. If you are giving dextromethorphan or a combination product that contains dextromethorphan to a child, read the package label carefully to be sure that it is the right product for a child of that age. Do not give dextromethorphan products that are made for adults to children. Before you give a dextromethorphan product to a child, check the package label to find out how much medication the child should receive. Give the dose that matches the child's age on the chart. Ask the child's doctor if you don't know how much medication to give the child. If you are taking the liquid, do not use a household spoon to measure your dose. Use the measuring spoon or cup that came with the medication or use a spoon made especially for measuring medication. If you are using the dissolving strips, place them on your tongue and swallow after they melt. If you are taking the chewable tablets you can allow them to melt in your mouth or you can chew them before swallowing. If you are taking the extended-release suspension, shake the bottle well before each use to mix the medication evenly. If you are taking the lozenges, allow them to slowly melt in your mouth. Stop taking dextromethorphan and call your doctor if your cough does not get better within 7 days, if your cough goes away and comes back, or if your cough occurs with a fever, rash, or headache.

Other uses for this medicine
This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

What special precautions should I follow?
Before taking dextromethorphan,
 * tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to dextromethorphan, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in the product you plan to take. Check the package label for a list of the ingredients.
 * do not take dextromethorphan if you are taking a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), and tranylcypromine (Parnate), or if you have stopped taking an MAO inhibitor within the past 2 weeks.
 * tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take.
 * tell your doctor if you smoke, if you have a cough that occurs with a large amount of phlegm (mucus), or if you have or have ever had breathing problems such as asthma, emphysema, or chronic bronchitis.
 * tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking dextromethorphan, call your doctor.
 * if you have phenylketonuria (PKU, an inherited condition in which a special diet must be followed to prevent mental retardation), you should know that some brands of chewable tablets that contain dextromethorphan may be sweetened with aspartame, a source of phenylalanine.

What special dietary instructions should I follow?
Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

What should I do if I forget a dose?
Dextromethorphan is usually taken as needed. If your doctor has told you to take dextromethorphan regularly, take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

What side effects can this medication cause?
Dextromethorphan may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away: If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately: Dextromethorphan may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you experience any unusual problems while you are taking this medication.
 * dizziness
 * lightheadedness
 * drowsiness
 * nervousness
 * restlessness
 * nausea
 * vomiting
 * stomach pain
 * rash

"Why Is This Medication Prescribed?" //Dextromethorphan//. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 18 Dec. -0001. Web. 09 May 2012. .