Skip to main content

Dextromethorphan and Panic Attacks: 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

Panic attacks: mentioned by 14 users (3.6%)

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

Showing 14 reviews tagged with "panic attacks". Clear filters to view all 386 reviews.
Commonly mentioned side effects
  • gro...
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • October 4, 2017

Dextromethorphan for Cough "After taking this cough syrup, I woke up and I experienced the most awful panic attack. Fingers tingling, feeling 'weird,' thinking I was at death's door. The only explanation was the cough syrup, I was pondering whether to call 911 and didn't because I KNEW it was the Delsym, and it probably would pass with time. Drank a lot of water to hopefully flush it out faster. I will NEVER take Delsym again. Would like to know what ingredient gave me such a violent reaction."

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
60 Report
  • Sp3...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • February 7, 2018

Dextromethorphan for Cough "I have never been so scared in my life! I took Delsym 12 hr relief at 10 pm for a mild cough. I woke up at 3 am in a panic attack. My entire body was tingly, I couldn't feel myself breathing. My heart rate was 115, and I was sure I was gonna die. It took close to 24 hours for this to wear off. I don't recommend it to anyone, this stuff is poison and should NOT be sold OTC!"

2 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
38 Report
  • wom...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • February 12, 2020

Dextromethorphan for Cough "I took Delsym last evening and began to feel strange. Then I felt anxious, nauseous, had a full-on panic attack with screaming. I rehearsed calling 911 in case. I had visionary hallucinations... I can't believe this med is on the market. I rode it out, and it was a bad trip! DO NOT TAKE!"

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
29 Report

Frequently asked questions

  • sky...
  • July 2, 2017

Dextromethorphan for Cough "DO NOT TRY IT. I know some of you have had good experiences, and some have had bad ones. There have been more bad ones than there are good, I know that much. I took this medicine for my dry cough that I was having. I felt fine for a little while, went to sleep. And then about an hour after going to sleep, I woke up in a full-blown panic attack. I felt like I was going to black out, I kept having hot flashes and severe stomach pain. The feeling of throwing up was pretty bad too, but it never happened. I was shaking and almost went to the hospital."

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
10 Report
  • Anonymous
  • October 8, 2021

For Cough "Okay, I don’t know what is in this stuff, and I truly wish I read these reviews before taking this horrible stuff. I woke up and felt so weird and went into a full-blown panic attack and thought I was gonna die. Something I’ve never experienced in my life. I will never take this again, someone rip this off the shelves. Horrible experience."

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
2 Report

Are you taking this medicine?

Your review helps others make informed decisions.
Write a review
  • Dol...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • February 13, 2018

Dextromethorphan for Cough "Avoid taking. I took the required dosage, and after one hour, I had terrible gas pains and diarrhea. Very embarrassing since I am at my office. My cough did stop, but it is not worth it. Also, made me very dizzy and confused and a little panicky. Don't take it with any kind of green tea or caffeine."

2 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
5 Report
  • Amy...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • March 17, 2019

For Cough "I thought I was going crazy till I read the reviews here. Dextromethorphan did work pretty well on my cough, but caused nausea, diarrhea, and a near panic attack. I have an anxiety disorder, and I wish I’d known about the possible effects on mood before taking it."

5 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
2 Report

More FAQ

  • 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."

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
1 Report
  • Cou...
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • December 31, 2021

Dextromethorphan for Cough "I came to this site to see if it causes anyone rapid heart rate. When I saw someone say it caused a panic attack, I knew it was the meds. The last thing you need when you have COVID is to think you're having a heart attack. Never, ever take it again. Praying it goes away soon."

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
1 Report
  • 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."

5 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
1 Report
  • 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."

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
1 Report
  • Tri...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • December 20, 2018

Dextromethorphan for Cough "Had a minor dry cough that was getting worse as the night went on. Took about 5 ml, or half rec dose before bed around 9 pm. Woke up at 12:30 am with sweats, shivers, and sort of a panic attack, restlessness. Woke up the next morning and felt as if I were hallucinating. Still, 12 hours later, at work and feel completely discombobulated. Never in my life would I touch this again."

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
0 Report
  • Anonymous
  • August 12, 2019

Dextromethorphan for Cough "PLEASE DO NOT TAKE DELSYM... The pharmacist suggested Delsym to me, and I ended up in the hospital with a panic attack."

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
5 Report
  • Bpa...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • September 18, 2020

Dextromethorphan for Cough "I’m at the ER... cannot believe this dextromethorphan is legal. I woke up and could not stop fainting and having nonstop panic attacks. DO NOT TAKE THIS STUFF !!!"

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
3 Report

Are you taking this medicine?

Your review helps others make informed decisions.
Write a review
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.