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Dextromethorphan and Diarrhea: What Users Say (Page 5)

Brand names: Delsym, Delsym 12 Hour Cough Relief, Vicks Dayquil Cough, Cough Syrup DM, Dry Cough, Buckleys Mixture, DexAlone, Benylin DM, Bisolvon Dry, Robitussin CoughGels Long-Acting, Vicks Formula 44, Dextromethorphan HBr Adult Formula, Calmylin, Scot-Tussin Diabetes, ElixSure Cough, Covonia Bronchial Balsam, Robafen Cough Liquidgels, Sucrets Cough, Creomulsion, Buckley's Mixture Cough Suppressant, 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, Dexi-Tuss, Delsym Children's 12-Hour Cough Relief, 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 Hold Triaminic Thin Strips Cough Giltuss Honey DM 8hr Cough Giltuss Children's Honey DM 8hr Cough Hold DM Robitussin Children's Cough Long-Acting …show all brand names

Reviews for Dextromethorphan

Showing 158 reviews tagged with "diarrhea". Clear filters to view all 386 reviews.
Commonly mentioned side effects
  • Ski...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • February 25, 2019

For Cough "I have had a dry cough for over a week. I saw the ad for this cough suppressant, so I bought it. I noticed no coughing almost immediately, but it only lasted about an hour. I went to bed and, at midnight, woke up to use the bathroom. I thought my guts fell out. The nausea and diarrhea were so intense, I thought I had food poisoning. I wish I had reviewed this product before buying it. I never would."

1 / 10
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  • Pip...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • August 18, 2018

Dextromethorphan for Cough "So I had a fever mixed with allergies that only lasted about 24 hours, but then I got an intense cough that resembles bronchitis. This cough has been present for almost a week now, so I tried Benylin cough syrup. I felt it go directly to my stomach, and about 15 minutes later, I had intense diarrhea. After that, I stopped coughing, so the medicine worked, but my stomach was still off. About an hour later, I literally peed from my rear, it was just brown water and felt like liquid magma... So if you take this: it works for a cough, but it turns your stomach upside down."

6 / 10
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  • Pre...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • March 14, 2019

Dextromethorphan for Cough "HORRIFYING. I am 18 wks pregnant, took the recommended dose of child’s Tussin at 10 pm for the beginnings of a cough. Woke up at midnight with severe stomach cramps and the most insane and painful explosive diarrhea I have ever heard of!!! I thought I was miscarrying, but nope! Just reacting to the cough syrup... PS, used this one month ago and it worked fine, no reaction at all. :("

3 / 10
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Frequently asked questions

  • Nig...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • January 11, 2022

Dextromethorphan for Cough "I recently came down with COVID, and this was suggested for the cough. About an hour and a half after taking, I went to bed. I proceeded to have terrorizing rapid random images fire off in my head all night long, and I’ve never done drugs, but I’m sure that’s what an acid trip feels like. I had to contend with these nonsensical weird images all night, as well as with severe nausea and diarrhea. Also, a terrible feeling of being overheated. It’s more than 14 hours later, and I still have remnants of the weirdness in my head, as well as gut issues. This medicine is very toxic! Do not take!!"

2 / 10
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  • Ter...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • October 11, 2022

Dextromethorphan for Cough "The pharmacist recommended this OTC for a cough I have with a cold. It is very effective as a colonoscopy prep, as it gave me diarrhea as a side effect! Couple that with the cough I still have, one dose is enough for me to not take more of this medication. It worked effectively as a laxative, within 4 hours, the cough is still present, and this medication is being returned to CVS for a refund. If I had read the reviews, I would not have purchased this medication."

1 / 10
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  • And...
  • February 14, 2017

For Cough "Actually went on here to see if sudden onset nausea and diarrhea after 3 hours of taking it was a symptom, and lo and behold, half the people on here saying the same thing. Be careful. I took this, had no change in my cough, felt like I needed to vomit for an hour, and then had diarrhea. Looks like some people just can't stomach it."

1 / 10
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  • KaP...
  • July 14, 2017

Dextromethorphan for Cough "I've used this product before with no problems. However, I took a dose at 6 AM this morning because of a nagging cough and have been extremely sick ever since. Horrible diarrhea, dizziness, and nausea. Sitting in bed with a trash can next to me, wishing that I would just throw up so I'd feel better. I hope this doesn't last 12 hours. I'm getting too old to waste a day in bed."

1 / 10
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More FAQ

  • Jey...
  • September 27, 2017

Dextromethorphan for Cough "Sadly, no relief from my painful cough that started the other day. No diarrhea yet, but now I'm afraid of what will happen when I go to bed after reading the reviews here. Sad that a pharmacist recommended it, and I could get better relief for my throat and cough from a warmed-up shot of whiskey. Don't bother with this rubbish."

2 / 10
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  • Tex...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • November 27, 2019

Dextromethorphan for Cough "I don't get sick often but I have been dealing with a cough for the last 24 hours...one that leaves me breathless because of the tickle in the back of my throat. I was also suffering with drainage for 2 days and couldn't take a decongestant so I thought I would try Delsym. Took it at bedtime and was still coughing, then around 2 am the diarrhea started. Will never take this again!"

2 / 10
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  • bon...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • August 26, 2022

For Cough "I had been coughing for a few days and decided to try the plain dextromethorphan. It helped my cough, but I paid for it in horrific stomach pains and diarrhea. My stomach was gurgling all night. It's been 16 hours since I took the 12-hour extended-release oral suspension, and I'm still having terrible stomach pains. I'd rather be coughing."

3 / 10
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  • Kat...
  • January 12, 2017

Dextromethorphan for Cough "I have a hard time believing that there are so many people that are claiming diarrhea. I had no such experience. It also calms my cough. I have IBS, which affects the bowels very easily. I have also known other people that have used Delsym, and nobody has had this happen to them. It tastes better and really works. I have to say I suspect 1 or 2 people that had a bad experience have written multiple times to warn others. I hope people are going to more than one site to get reviews."

10 / 10
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9 Report
  • Nic...
  • November 23, 2014

Dextromethorphan for Cough "If you'd rather have diarrhea than a dry cough, this is your medicine!"

6 / 10
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45 Report
  • Anonymous
  • September 28, 2011

Dextromethorphan for Cough "Two hours after taking this, had severe diarrhea."

3 / 10
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55 Report
  • col...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • August 5, 2014

Dextromethorphan for Cough "It stopped my cough, but I had severe diarrhea. I figured it out after it happened to me twice."

2 / 10
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39 Report
  • aco...
  • January 11, 2014

Dextromethorphan for Cough "Helped with cough but couldn't sleep and had very severe diarrhea."

3 / 10
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42 Report
  • Cre...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • January 1, 2015

Dextromethorphan for Cough "Definitely works, but definitely gave me diarrhea, and fast."

7 / 10
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36 Report
  • w71...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • April 14, 2015

Dextromethorphan for Cough "Helped a lot with the cough. If you take it without food, it does give you that 'out of it' feeling. The downside was that it gave me terrible, super watery diarrhea."

7 / 10
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22 Report
  • Anonymous
  • June 3, 2015

Dextromethorphan for Cough "Was a minor help with my cough. Was a major help in giving me diarrhea. Needless to say, I would not recommend it."

3 / 10
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19 Report
  • Anonymous
  • October 18, 2014

For Cough "Worked great for cough, but gave me severe diarrhea, which kept me up all night. Would have rather had cough."

4 / 10
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  • soo...
  • February 18, 2016

Dextromethorphan for Cough "Like several other reviewers, I also got the stomach gurgles, then watery diarrhea after taking Delsym."

2 / 10
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14 Report
  • Joh...
  • February 15, 2016

Dextromethorphan for Cough "It helps with the cough but gave me uncontrollable diarrhea. I wouldn't recommend this product."

1 / 10
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14 Report
  • Es1...
  • June 18, 2015

Dextromethorphan for Cough "Did not help cough, have me diarrhea, and made me feel loopy."

1 / 10
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13 Report
  • Anonymous
  • May 3, 2016

Dextromethorphan for Cough "Terrible medication. I got diarrhea, stomach pain, and nausea. Made me feel worse than how I started."

1 / 10
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14 Report
  • Jef...
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • March 1, 2020

Dextromethorphan for Cough "The nighttime product works great. It helps keep my sinuses clear, and I rest much better than with NyQuil. No diarrhea. No stomach aches. No hangover."

10 / 10
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8 Report
  • Anonymous
  • May 30, 2015

Dextromethorphan for Cough "Helped limitedly for cough, but led to severe diarrhea. Will not take again."

3 / 10
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11 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.