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Delsym and Vomiting: What Users Say

Vomiting: mentioned by 15 users (6.3%)

Based on user experiences from 240 Delsym reviews, the following table shows the most commonly mentioned side effects.

All user comments are moderated by Drugs.com. Each review is verified for relevance and screened for inappropriate content. Side effects are user-reported and not clinically verified.

diarrhea 41.3%
nausea 16.7%
dizziness 15.0%
upset stomach 7.5%
vomiting 6.3%
anxiety 5.0%
cough 4.6%
drowsiness 4.6%
cramps 4.2%
headaches 4.2%

Reviews for Delsym

Commonly mentioned side effects
  • Nev...
  • December 9, 2017

For Cough "The first time I took Delsym (a couple of years ago), I landed in the ER because I thought I was dying: severe nausea, chills, sweats, shakes, dizziness, shortness of breath, and the dreaded diarrhea. I didn't make the connection that it was the Delsym until it happened to me again a couple of days ago. Almost identical symptoms as the first time, but this time instead of just nausea, I was also vomiting profusely. I'm glad it works for others, but please don't 'poo-poo' (pun intended) those whose experience was less-than-pleasant. We're all different, and what works for one won't work for another."

2 / 10
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17 Report
  • zpa...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • February 9, 2018

For Cough "Took only 2 doses for a cough and have been feeling nauseous and weak for going on 3 days now. Vomited on the second day. Horrible drug that, from all the other reviews I'm seeing, should not be sold! I have never had any reaction to any cold medicine anywhere close to anything like this before. Avoid!"

2 / 10
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16 Report
  • Abs...
  • December 25, 2017

For Cough "Absolute nightmare. Do not take, for the love of God! I took it for an upper respiratory cough at around 4 pm, and the nightmare began shortly after when I got the chills so bad I couldn’t stand up. I was sweating bullets but freezing cold. After that stopped, this poison passed me out, at which point I had the most extreme nonsense nightmares I’ve ever had in my life. Atop all this, I coughed and coughed and coughed to the point of gagging. This medicine is poison. Wouldn’t recommend it to my worst enemy. Such an astronomical waste of money, time, health, and sleep. I poured the remainder down the toilet and felt bad that the water treatment facility now had to deal with this absolute toxic waste."

1 / 10
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17 Report

Frequently asked questions

  • KKa...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • March 19, 2018

For Cough "I had a dry cough and asked a pharmacist what would be the best to take. He suggested this Delsym, so I bought it. Less than an hour later, a wave of dizziness hit me. I was not sure what was going on. Then, I began to feel like I was going to vomit. I threw up from 7 pm until 8 am. I had extreme anxiety, shook, my stomach cramped, and gurgled. At one point, I thought I was having a toxic reaction. This is hour 16, and I am still shaking, my pupils are still dilated, and I'm utterly exhausted. I'm not sure how it's even legal to sell this OTC."

1 / 10
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10 Report
  • JJa...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • November 15, 2019

For Cough "Horrendous. Delsym did not stop my cough. I woke up at 4 AM (I had taken it the afternoon before at 4:30 pm) with serious diarrhea and vomiting. The cramps that followed are unlike anything I’ve ever felt before, absolutely horrific. This medicine needs to be taken off the market. It’s been over three hours, and the cramping has worsened - I didn’t think it was possible - and I’m basically writhing on my floor. DO NOT RISK THIS!!!"

1 / 10
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7 Report

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  • Lin...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • October 4, 2016

For Cough "I am so confused about the explosive diarrhea reviews. Long story short, I got something last week that was more than just a common cold. Started with the usual scratchy throat, but by day 3, the cough was so unbearable that I later found out at urgent care I cracked a rib from coughing so hard. They gave me RX cough syrup, which I only took once since the codeine in it made me throw up violently (not fun with a cracked rib). Picked up some Delsym around 1 am at the pharmacy and actually slept for about 6 hours. Had to go to work the next morning and took my Delsym with me. Didn't need to take another dose until about noon. I truly feel like this medicine saved my other ribs from my own abuse! Try it once before assuming you'll poop your pants."

8 / 10
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6 Report
  • FMG...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • December 10, 2016

For Cough "I had a very bad cold to the point of settling in my chest. I took Delsym 12 hour to help. I couldn't believe it really worked to keep my cough at bay, but I started to have severe side effects from it. I had dizziness like I was going to blackout, heart palpitations, SOB (shortness of breath), diarrhea, and vomiting at the same time (sitting on the toilet and holding a bucket at the same time wanting to pass out from the dehydration). Never again, I'll stick with Creomulsion."

5 / 10
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4 Report

More FAQ

  • ILo...
  • December 5, 2017

For Cough "I have used the kid version with success for my children. It does work well to stop a dry cough. It lasts 8 hours, rather than 12. Unfortunately, the last time I used it for my child, she ended up dry heaving for hours and had a bout of explosive diarrhea. It stopped once the medicine wore off (about 8 hours after her dose)."

5 / 10
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2 Report
  • Lol...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • August 9, 2018

For Cough "I went to the pharmacy and asked the pharmacist for a medicine to calm my cough, and he recommended Delsym. I have been taking it for 3 days, and the cough has worsened because now every time I cough, I vomit. In these 3 days, I have not been able to keep a single meal in my stomach; just today I stopped taking it, and I stopped vomiting. Apparently, what was causing me the most damage was this medication. I do not recommend it at all."

1 / 10
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2 Report
  • Dar...
  • August 28, 2021

For Cough "Made me have the worst panic attack of my life. Then I got bad stomach pain and nonstop vomited all night long, and diarrhea. I'm still nauseous the next day. I would rather be coughing. I'll never take this again."

1 / 10
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1 Report
  • Lyo...
  • January 9, 2017

For Cough "This medicine shouldn't even get a 1. Hopefully, you were smart and read the reviews before taking because I didn't. The first night I took it, I woke up in the morning and vomited three times. I continued to take it the following day (thought the vomiting was due to something I ate) and continued to vomit. I will never take it again."

1 / 10
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3 Report
  • Lei...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • February 24, 2018

For Cough "After I felt the early symptoms of a sore throat and cough, I picked up some Delsym Cold and Cough Nighttime since I had used the Delsym orange cough relief medicine before with some success. This formula was definitely a mistake. I took the first dose yesterday afternoon, and by yesterday evening I had loose stools and vomiting, but my first thought was maybe a virus on top of the cold... took the second dose in the early morning of today after coughing uncontrollably all night. Again, I was vomiting and still coughing. After the third dose and the same result this afternoon, I decided to do a little research and found these reviews. So glad I did. Never again!!"

1 / 10
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2 Report
  • KDa...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • March 21, 2018

For Cough "I’ve given this to my daughter twice, children’s dose, and both times she has vomited within 30 minutes. Do not recommend."

1 / 10
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3 Report
  • Syd...
  • January 14, 2018

For Cough "Got rid of my cough fairly quickly, gave me an extremely upset stomach to the point of vomiting, and gave me diarrhea. Also experienced dizziness."

5 / 10
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4 Report
  • Ano...
  • January 31, 2018

For Cough "I took the Delsym, and exactly 10 minutes after taking it, every time it causes me to cough until I sometimes almost vomit. Makes it worse. :/"

2 / 10
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3 Report

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Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or remove inappropriate content. Reviews appearing to come from parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any medication and should not replace the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals.