Dextromethorphan and Panic Attacks: What Users Say

• 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."

• 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!"

• 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!"

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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 !!!"