Dextromethorphan

The Basics

What is Dextromethorphan?

cough suppressant in over-the-counter cold and cough medicines

Brand names for Dextromethorphan

Robitussin, 12 Hour, Robafen Cough, Cough Dm Er, Robitussin Pediatric, Tussin Maximum Strength Cough, Wal-Tussin Cough, Scot-Tussin Diabetes Cf, Creomulsion Adult Formula, Robitussin Coughgel

How Dextromethorphan is classified

Antitussive Agents

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Dextromethorphan During Pregnancy

Dextromethorphan pregnancy category

Category C
Note that the FDA has deprecated the use of pregnancy categories, so for some medications, this information isn’t available. We still think it’s useful to list historical info, however, given what a common proxy this has been in the past.

What we know about taking Dextromethorphan while pregnant

Can you take dextromethorphan while pregnant? Yes. Taking dextromethorphan during pregnancy is relatively safe. There are a number of human studies on the use of dextromethorphan during pregnancy that did not find an association between this drug and an increased risk of birth defects. The Collaborative Perinatal Project, for example, followed 300 mother-child pairs who took DM during the first trimester and 580 mother-child pairs with exposure anytime during pregnancy. A prospective comparative study, which was conducted by researchers in the Motherisk Program, investigated pregnancy outcomes in 184 women exposed to DM.13 Another group investigated 59 pregnancies exposed to DM in the first trimester. Neither group documented an increased risk of major malformations above the baseline.

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Taking Dextromethorphan While Breastfeeding

What are recommendations for lactation if you're taking Dextromethorphan?

Neither the excretion of dextromethorphan in milk nor its effect on breastfed infants have been studied. It is unlikely that with usual maternal doses amounts in breastmilk would harm the nursing infant, especially in infants over 2 months of age. It is best to avoid the use of products with a high alcohol content while nursing.

Maternal / infant drug levels

Neither the excretion of dextromethorphan in milk nor its effect on breastfed infants have been studied. It is unlikely that with usual maternal doses amounts in breastmilk would harm the nursing infant, especially in infants over 2 months of age. It is best to avoid the use of products with a high alcohol content while nursing. Further studies need to be done on taking dextromethorphan while breastfeeding.

Possible effects of Dextromethorphan on milk supply

Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.

Possible alternatives to Dextromethorphan

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