Skip to main content

Dextromethorphan and Stomach Pain: What Users Say

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

Stomach pain: 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 "stomach pain". Clear filters to view all 386 reviews.
Commonly mentioned side effects
  • sic...
  • September 6, 2014

Dextromethorphan for Cough "It did stop the cough, got up all the junk in my lungs, and allowed me to continue my work day. However, it gave me such terrible stomach pain I was very near calling it quits and going home. Taking a smaller dose with food made this problem much more tolerable, yet that burning feeling lingered for hours after."

6 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
19 Report
  • 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
  • Rig...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • April 11, 2016

Dextromethorphan for Cough "Don't take it! First, it doesn't work. Second, I had stomach pain starting about 15 minutes after I took it. Sick stomach for hours. Then about 5 hours in, I started throwing up violently. Delsym is the only thing I had in my stomach."

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
9 Report

Frequently asked questions

  • XKa...
  • October 6, 2016

Dextromethorphan for Cough "I honestly wasn't sure if it was the medication that did this to me until I just almost took it again and decided to read reviews. A couple of hours after I took it, I woke up three different times due to extreme stomach pain. The third time I decided to try to go to the bathroom. My stomach hurt so bad that I felt like the muscles in my stomach were just stuck tight. I felt like I couldn't even go to the bathroom because it hurt so bad. After having extreme pain and diarrhea, I started getting chills, lightheaded, and swearing profusely. I seriously thought I was going to die and started dialing 911 before laying on my bathroom floor for a couple of minutes, and it stopped. I wasn't even sure if it was the medication before reading all these."

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
8 Report
  • ver...
  • October 6, 2016

Dextromethorphan for Cough "Took this for cough last night and made my stomach hurt almost instantly, then woke up to horrible loose stools and stomach cramps. It has been 24 hours, and I am still in pain. It may have helped the cough slightly, but this is way worse!"

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
5 Report

Are you taking this medicine?

Your review helps others make informed decisions.
Write a review
  • 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
  • Bec...
  • January 21, 2017

For Cough "I took the cough medicine last night. It helped with the cough, but within 20 minutes, I was doubled over in stomach pain to the point I almost woke my husband up to take me to the ER! My stomach cramped, burned, and gurgled for hours! It has been 6 hours since taking the dose, and I still am having cramping and pain! I will never take this medicine again!"

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
1 Report

More FAQ

  • 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!"

2 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
0 Report
  • Jaz...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • December 21, 2021

Dextromethorphan for Cough "I had taken it, and within 30 minutes, my stomach started to hurt. Now, an hour later, I’m having muscle spasms, tingling in my fingers and arms, and feeling really dizzy. Don’t take this medicine."

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
0 Report
  • GNg...
  • January 9, 2017

Dextromethorphan for Cough "I gave this product to my 5-year-old who has been battling nighttime coughs after getting over a never-ending cold. Within 2 hours, he was vomiting. This went on for 3 more hours. Shortly after that, he started complaining of stomach pains and the need to poop. He unfortunately still has the cough, and I feel like a terrible mom for not checking the side effects first. I'd rather deal with him coughing than to put him through this ever again!"

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
0 Report
  • 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
Was this helpful?YesNo
0 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
Was this helpful?YesNo
14 Report
  • Anonymous
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • March 15, 2016

Dextromethorphan for Cough "Severe stomach pain & diarrhea."

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
9 Report
  • The...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • February 11, 2017

Dextromethorphan for Cough "Took Delsym 12 hour cough, and after about 2 hours, got terrible stomach pains and diarrhea. It wasn't very good at suppressing my cough either! Be warned, I would never take it again!"

2 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
4 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.