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Dextromethorphan and Cough: What Users Say

Brand names: Delsym, Delsym 12 Hour Cough Relief, Vicks Dayquil Cough, Dry Cough, Cough Syrup DM, Bisolvon Dry, DexAlone, Dextromethorphan HBr Adult Formula, Robitussin CoughGels Long-Acting, Buckleys Mixture, Calmylin, Buckley's Mixture Cough Suppressant, Benylin DM, Delsym Children's 12-Hour Cough Relief, Vicks Formula 44, Covonia Bronchial Balsam, Robafen Cough Liquidgels, Dexi-Tuss, Sucrets Cough, Creomulsion, 12 Hour Cough Relief, Robitussin 12-Hour Cough Relief, Babee Cof, Silphen DM, Vicks Formula 44 Custom Care Dry Cough Suppressant, Balminil DM, Delsym 12 Hour Cough Relief for Children & Adults, Robitussin Cough Long-Acting, Benadryl for the Family Dry Forte, Contac Cough, Bisolvon Dry Junior, Dristan DM, Triaminic Long Acting Cough, Creomulsion Children, Buckley's DM Robitussin Direct Cough Tussin Cough Gels (Long Acting) Vicks Nature Fusion Cough Duract Max Strength Cough Scot-Tussin Diabetes Hold Triaminic Thin Strips Cough Giltuss Honey DM 8hr Cough Giltuss Children's Honey DM 8hr Cough ElixSure Cough Hold DM Robitussin Children's Cough Long-Acting …show all brand names

Cough: mentioned by 17 users (4.4%)

Based on user experiences from 386 Dextromethorphan 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 40.9%
nausea 15.0%
dizziness 13.0%
upset stomach 7.8%
anxiety 5.2%
vomiting 4.9%
cough 4.4%
panic attacks 3.6%
stomach pain 3.6%
cramps 3.4%

Reviews for Dextromethorphan

Commonly mentioned side effects
  • Chr...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • November 4, 2019

Dextromethorphan for Cough "The first dose I took early this afternoon worked OK (I only took 1/2 dose), but I took the full dose about 30 minutes ago and cannot stop coughing. It’s actually worse than it was before I took the second dose. Praying this works so I can get a good night’s sleep!"

3 / 10
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10 Report
  • Abs...
  • December 25, 2017

Dextromethorphan 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
  • sti...
  • February 21, 2017

Dextromethorphan for Cough "This stuff is useless, in fact, I am coughing more and worse after taking it. Thank goodness I only bought a small bottle, since it is kind of expensive for something that does not work at all. Will never take this garbage again."

1 / 10
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9 Report

Frequently asked questions

  • Nev...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • January 15, 2022

Dextromethorphan for Cough "I am currently taking Delsym for a nasty cough and upper respiratory infection. I took the recommended dosage of 10 ml every twelve hours. After the first dose, I became worse. My cough had gotten 10x worse, I had severe chills, bad body aches, and severe dizziness to the point of not being able to sit upright. I would have gone to the hospital but didn't have a ride. I can't sleep because of the cough. I took a half dose compared to the recommended dosage (5 ml) and am having the same symptoms: freezing, worse cough, and dizziness. I do not recommend whatsoever and will likely be going to the hospital this evening due to not being able to breathe."

1 / 10
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4 Report
  • Rac...
  • March 3, 2017

Dextromethorphan for Cough "Took 5 hours ago. Still coughing. Now I am pooping as well. Came to read reviews because I don't think I could have eaten anything else to cause diarrhea. I'm hoping I don't have 8 hours of stomach issues, but it's not looking good. Maybe it doesn't happen to everyone, but user beware!"

1 / 10
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9 Report

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  • Cha...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • May 22, 2021

Dextromethorphan for Cough "Last year, my daughter's pediatrician recommended this because she was diagnosed with the flu. Fast forward to this year and week, I bought it for my extreme cough and because I couldn't sleep from coughing so much. Well, I took the recommended dosage twice and noticed the medicine was making me worse! I have never coughed so much in my life. My body is sore from all the coughing. I obtained a stuffy then runny nose that I didn't have prior to the medicine. My taste and smell left, and I have severe diarrhea. I didn't take any more, and my cough is calming down, and I can smell and taste again. Not sure what's in this, but I highly recommend you steer clear of this cough syrup. I've never had this type of reaction to a cough syrup. Never again will I take this nor give it to my daughter. I would literally cough and sneeze so much at a time I'd get lightheaded and discombobulated. Buy and try at your own risk!"

1 / 10
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7 Report
  • ajk...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • January 7, 2016

Dextromethorphan for Cough "Complete waste of almost $15 I paid for a bottle of this stuff. It made my cough and dry throat even worse so that I got very little sleep. I've taken it for 3 nights, each night with the same result. I wish I would have read reviews beforehand, I definitely would not have bought this."

1 / 10
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4 Report

More FAQ

  • Fee...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • November 29, 2018

Dextromethorphan for Cough "Supposedly, this stuff takes away your cough so you can 'enjoy' life... NOT my experience!!! The first two times I took it, I constantly coughed at least three out of the eight hours I tried to sleep. The third time I took it, I took just a little more than the recommended dose and propped myself up in bed to try to get some sleep, with only minimal success. Seriously, DON'T waste your money on this junk!!"

1 / 10
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1 Report
  • Noc...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • July 4, 2017

For Cough "Stopped the cough because I was too scared to cough for fear of pooping my pants. Terrible... but stupidly thought maybe it was just me as I had some surgery that affects how I digest things. Gave my daughter (15 yo) some tonight... same thing, the toilet became her new friend :( way to make someone already sick feel much worse."

1 / 10
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0 Report
  • Anonymous
  • February 20, 2012

Dextromethorphan for Cough "Kept me up all night, felt nervous, anxious... upset my stomach, and I was still coughing."

1 / 10
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45 Report
  • Jil...
  • December 28, 2014

Dextromethorphan for Cough "Coughing worse after taking."

1 / 10
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20 Report
  • Ang...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • October 30, 2019

Dextromethorphan for Cough "Only worked for about 4 hours, that leaves me with 8 hours before I can take again or something else. Now it's time to sleep, and I just keep coughing."

3 / 10
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4 Report
  • You...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • August 22, 2019

Dextromethorphan for Cough "I took Delsym and still found myself coughing. No change whatsoever."

1 / 10
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4 Report
  • Rey...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • April 7, 2022

Dextromethorphan for Cough "My cough was recovering but decided to take Delsym to complete the recovery. An hour in, and my cough is worse than before I took it. How does that make any sense?"

1 / 10
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2 Report
  • Ano...
  • January 31, 2018

Dextromethorphan 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
  • cla...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • February 8, 2016

For Cough "I just took Delsym an hour ago, and now my cough is worse, and I have some bowel movements."

1 / 10
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2 Report
  • Anonymous
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • January 3, 2019

For Cough "I actually think this made my cough worse. It certainly didn't stop me from coughing or allow me to sleep."

1 / 10
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0 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.