Dextromethorphan and Diarrhea: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 4, 2021

Dextromethorphan for Cough "I realize everyone is different, but I'd like to share what happened to me after taking two small sips of Delsym. I had a cough that was driving me crazy, so my wife goes out and buys this. I had never taken it, and my wife assured me that it was good stuff. I ended up taking two small sips from the bottle-definitely less than the recommended dose-and just like everyone else, I got diarrhea. While on the toilet, I started feeling nauseous and felt like I was going to puke. Next thing I know, my head was on the floor upside down, I passed out and had no idea what happened. I picked myself back up (I'm still on the toilet, by the way) and started sweating profusely. I turned to puke in the tub and passed out again, banging my head so hard my wife heard it downstairs. I picked myself up again, and in about 2-3 minutes, I started feeling okay. Just a warning, folks, from a guy that's healthy, doesn't do drugs, and isn't on any sort of medications at all."

• Dar...
• August 28, 2021

Dextromethorphan 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."

• dec...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 29, 2022

Dextromethorphan for Cough "I do not recommend the use of Delsym 12 Hour Cough Relief. It was recommended to me by a pharmacist to help with a COVID cough. I have high blood pressure, and according to the pharmacist, this would raise BP. At 11:00 pm (bedtime), I took the prescribed dosage. At 1:30 am, I awoke with severe nausea, stomach cramps, dizziness. A few minutes later, diarrhea with numerous trips throughout the night. I sipped on water and tried soda crackers to help with nausea. My blood pressure was 200/100. For 12 hours, I was extremely ill. The next day, I went to urgent care. The diagnosis was side effects from Delsym 12 Hour. I believe this drug should come with warnings of these side effects and be removed as an over-the-counter drug."

• Car...
• January 8, 2022

Dextromethorphan for Cough "Have COVID and could not sleep due to excessive coughing, and this worked like a charm. Was able to sleep wonderfully the next night. Later on in the morning, after I took the daytime dose, I started having anxiety throughout the day. I was having small bouts of panic attacks, did not know where that was coming from. I know my body was stressed and under a lot of pressure, but this was different. I took only half the recommended dose that following evening and woke up two hours later with a panic attack, sleeping? I decided not to take it today. I have not had one since. Also, yes, with the stomach, diarrhea did happen to me also."

• Chr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 9, 2019

Dextromethorphan for Cough "Excellent cough medicine. My physician recommended it. Completely silenced my cough. No side effects except some diarrhea, which is no big deal. Just glad it helped my cough, which is caused by a cold virus."

• Hey...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 3, 2019

For Cough "I’ve had a partial dry/mucusy cough for about a month. My mom suggested Delsym, which I remember taking as a kid, but I don’t remember having issues with it. Twice now, I’ve had hot flashes/panic attacks (the first time I thought it had a negative reaction with a natural supplement), diarrhea, and jittery feelings. I’ll just deal with the cough."

• Enn...
• December 27, 2019

Dextromethorphan for Cough "I took Delsym when I had the flu a few months ago, and it gave me the runs and made me feel funny. When I told my mom, who’s a nurse, she chalked it up to the flu leaving my body. I took Delsym again today to get rid of a very slight cough, and it gave me the same runs and serious dizziness. I was even dizzy in bed. When I had to rush to use the bathroom, the room seemed to spin. I’ve NEVER had this reaction to OTC cough medicine. Delsym is the first and hopefully last."

• Col...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 24, 2019

For Cough "Took 2 doses of this today, per the instructions. The first time I was a bit nauseous, but figured it was because I hadn't eaten much. Now I took it about 3 hours ago and have such intense nausea, cramping, and explosive diarrhea. Plus, my mouth feels like I ate cotton balls for dinner, and I can't stop shaking. Never use, no matter how bad your cough is. Absolute worst product ever and doesn't even contain a list of potential side effects like every other drug out there. If any of these side effects had been listed anywhere on the box or label, I never would have taken it, even if I were paid to do so. I used the maximum strength Robitussin CF. Not even my prescription ondansetron for nausea (which is used to treat nausea in chemo patients) will touch this."

• Rob...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 22, 2020

For Cough "Been suffering from a dry, hacking cough since getting over a cold around New Year’s. Pharmacist recommended Delsym and said it’s the best over-the-counter drug out there for a bad cough. One hour after my first dose, carefully measured, my stomach started to gurgle and, minutes later, explosive, watery diarrhea. Several hours later, I am still having diarrhea. Had I left the house after taking it, I literally could never have made it to a bathroom in time. Even if it had worked great for my cough, which it really didn’t, it never would’ve been worth the side effects. Find something else to take."

• Reb...
• August 12, 2017

For Cough "Took this med for a spasm-y cough that just wouldn't stop. Definitely helped the cough. A couple of hours after the first dose, I experienced abdominal cramps and diarrhea. I checked the bottle for side effects, didn't see gastrointestinal issues listed, and assumed I'd eaten something that didn't agree with me. I took the second dose about 1-1/2 hours before bed. An hour later, another round of bathroom jaunts began. It did what it should for the cough, but the gastrointestinal side effects aren't worth it."

• Lei...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 24, 2018

Dextromethorphan 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!!"

• Bev...
• April 17, 2017

For Cough "Googled 'dextromethorphan & diarrhea' and it led me here. Is it helping my cough? I doubt it. It's hard to imagine things being worse in the constant coughing department, but I guess the only way to know is to stop taking it (which I plan to do). The bigger problem is the loose stool. As someone who lives with constipation on a daily basis, this side effect was quite surprising. I feel bad for any 'regular' people out there, as you must be truly suffering rather nasty outcomes from unintentionally taking a laxative."

• Bev...
• April 17, 2017

For Cough "Googled 'dextromethorphan & diarrhea' and it led me here. Is it helping my cough? I doubt it. It's hard to imagine things being worse in the constant coughing department, but I guess the only way to know is to stop taking it (which I plan to do). The bigger problem is the loose stool. As someone who lives with constipation on a daily basis, this side effect was quite surprising. I feel bad for any 'regular' people out there, as you must be truly suffering rather nasty outcomes from unintentionally taking a laxative."

• dax...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 5, 2015

Dextromethorphan for Cough "Been using this for about 7-8 years now. Unlike the sugar-laced alcohol that is in most cough syrup, this stuff is the best. Takes about 45 minutes before it starts working, but after that, no more cough. In regard to diarrhea, no one in my family has had the experience described by some (or the same person posting over and over)."

• Anonymous
• March 28, 2017

Dextromethorphan for Cough "I took this medicine around midnight last night after being tired of trying to hold back a cough, and it worked pretty quickly. I also had hot water with lemon and honey, so that probably helped too. However, around 5:00 am, I woke up with severe cramping and diarrhea. I spent two hours running back and forth to the bathroom. I also experienced nausea and dizziness. But hey, it got rid of my cough... not worth it."

• lox...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 20, 2015

For Cough "I got some relief from constant dry cough, but I wouldn't say it's brilliant, although I am asthmatic too. This cough, however, was not my normal now-and-again asthmatic cough. Once I took the dextromethorphan, I had bad diarrhea. I have found I am now allergic to lots of medication that I never used to be prior to early menopause and asthma. I won't be taking it again unless I am very desperate."

• Dan...
• April 15, 2017

For Cough "This medicine has definitely helped with my cough. I thought I had gotten a stomach virus at the same time as a cold... nope. This product gave me violent diarrhea. Stopped taking it for a day, and my stool returned to normal. Took a dose this morning because I couldn't handle my cough, and what do ya know - in the bathroom for the last five hours? Save yourself and buy something else. Throwing it away."

• Nev...
• January 3, 2017

For Cough "I took Delsym grape flavor liquid 12 hr, about an hour after I had a final coughing fit. About two hours after I started having very watery diarrhea. Fifth hour in and I am still having diarrhea but no cough. I will never take this again! Not worth it!"

• Cou...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 2, 2018

Dextromethorphan for Cough "I took it this morning for a cough related to sinus congestion. It didn't work at all, in fact, I'm coughing worse now than before. I did experience mild diarrhea earlier in the day too. Most ineffective medicine I've ever tried. Do not recommend!"

• Jul...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 21, 2017

For Cough "Made it through the first good night of sleep 12-7:30 with no coughing. This worked great for me on a full teaspoon. The night before last, I took only half a teaspoon and woke up coughing around 5 a.m. I was worried initially that it would make me overly alert or put me to sleep. I was able to sleep fully and not feel groggy after waking up. I have not experienced any diarrhea on this medication. I will definitely be using Delsym tonight."

• Pin...
• November 22, 2016

For Cough "Using Delsym orange liquid. Suppresses cough. Tastes way better than DayQuil and Robitussin syrups. Raging diarrhea, lack of appetite, vertigo, chills. Really not worth it just for a cold, but I have reached the point in my cold that if I cough or sneeze too hard, I pee. Now I get to choose between pee or poo."

• Del...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 9, 2022

Dextromethorphan for Cough "Took 8 ml yesterday and felt okay, stopped my dry hacking cough, but woke up with a mild headache, which I attributed to coughing so hard the day before. Took another 8 ml about 14 hours after the last, and within an hour it gave me diarrhea and stomach pains. I also feel lightheaded. Drinking lots of water as it is excreted through urine. It worked, but not worth the side effects - I usually take child doses due to my size and weight, should have done that with this! If you are going to try this, start with half a dose and drink lots of water!"

• ran...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 18, 2022

For Cough "I have used Delsym before, and it hasn't given me too many problems. But during the past few days, I have had a terrible cold (or the flu or something), and my cough is very terrible and keeps me up at night and makes my throat hurt all the time. This medicine worked for a bit but stopped working a lot sooner than it says and also has made me have uncontrollable diarrhea. So now I have a cough that makes me feel awful and diarrhea that keeps me on the toilet constantly. It's weird because usually this medicine works very well for me, but it has not been working lately, and I would not recommend it unless you are able to handle the terrible side effects."

• Jun...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 25, 2023

For Cough "This stuff needs a warning label for diarrhea. It almost stopped my cough, but I had to run to the bathroom 30 minutes after taking it and stayed there for the next 3 hours. Not sure which ingredient caused this. I’m allergic to sucralose, but not sucrose. I’ve taken NyQuil and DayQuil and prescribed opioids with no problem. But I’m never taking this stuff again."

• Dav...
• December 3, 2016

For Cough "After taking cough DM, I have experienced extreme diarrhea, and it is very unpleasant. I have not taken cough DM on an empty stomach, although I had taken it in the morning, and it is giving me the same experience every time."