Dextromethorphan

Administration

  • Type: Anti-tussive
  • Dosage Forms:
  • Routes of Administration:
  • Common Trade Names: Active ingredient in many combination OTC cough/cold medications

Adult Dosing

  • 30mg PO q6-8h

Pediatric Dosing

  • cough/cold products should NOT be used in children younger than 4 years

Special Populations

Renal Dosing

  • Adult:
  • Pediatric:

Hepatic Dosing

  • Adult:
  • Pediatric:

Contraindications

  • Allergy to class/drug
  • MAOI use concurrently or within past 14d

Adverse Reactions

Serious

  • Serotonin syndrome (if used with other serotonergic agents)
  • Recreational abuse

Common

  • Dizziness
  • Fatigue/somnolence

Pharmacology

  • Half-life:
  • Metabolism: Liver
  • Excretion: Renal

Mechanism of Action

Comments

See Also

Dextromethorphan toxicity

References

Micromedex