Robitussin and Alcohol: Interactions, Precautions, and More

They can tell you about other medications that may work well for you. As with most drugs, some people can have an allergic reaction after taking dextromethorphan. Most of these side effects may go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. However, if they become more severe or don’t go away, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

‘Drank’ and the Risks of Mixing DXM and Alcohol

Over time, the drug has found its way into many different types of over-the-counter medications. Another common side effect of medicines containing this ingredient is drowsiness. But those who need cough and cold remedies often feel poorly and feeling sleepy can be a positive side effect when coughing or congestion keeps them from sleeping soundly. Along with sleepiness, those who use OTC or prescription medicines with this ingredient also may have impaired judgment or lessened mental alertness. So medical professionals encourage users to limit activities that require participation in any decision-making activities while the compound is active. A significant percentage of patients with MDD fail to respond to existing treatments despite numerous antidepressant trials and augmentation strategies.

Other interactions

This floating feeling can last up to six hours or more and chronic users can have heightened effects, especially when combined with other substances like alcohol. To disguise the taste, users often mix cough syrup with soda or candy, making it difficult to detect medicine misuse. But interactions, as well as side effects of any medicine or chemical, also depend on the user’s sex, age, general health, genetics and other drugs used simultaneously.

Others use DXM as a substitute for alcohol, thinking it offers a “safer” way to get drunk. The accessibility of DXM leads many to underestimate its dangers compared to illegal drugs. But make no mistake – abusing DXM is never safe, and adding alcohol to the mix creates a recipe for disaster.

Find answers to some commonly asked questions about dextromethorphan. Dextromethorphan oral capsule is approved for use in adults and children ages 12 years and older. The recommended dosage is 30 mg every 6–8 hours as needed for cough.

Most insurance plans do not cover over-the-counter medications like dextromethorphan. Because of these risks, many states have restrictions on OTC dextromethorphan. Some limit the amount of dextromethorphan products that can be sold. Long-term misuse of dextromethorphan may lead to psychological dependence. Dextromethorphan misuse is dangerous, and there have been reports of fatal overdoses.

Because it acts on such a critical part of our body, DXM has a wide range of side effects. Lastly, even those who take DXM as directed are at risk when mixing it with alcohol. Because alcohol is an immunosuppressant, drinking when unwell can prolong and worsen your illness, keeping you sick for longer. Unfortunately, many people combine DXM with other substances, increasing the risk of severe side effects, which can be deadly in some cases. A DXM overdose can be fatal when combined with other substances, including alcohol. If you suspect someone has taken too much DXM with other substances, call 911 immediately.

The emotional systems, the understanding of feelings and the role of the opioids

Chronic misuse of DXM can lead to long-lasting cognitive impairments affecting memory, concentration, and problem-solving skills. It’s also particularly hard on the liver, an effect compounded by the fact that DXM is often misused in combination with other substances that also affect the liver. In the short term, DXM can cause extreme drowsiness and sedation, impairing our dexterity, balance, reaction time, and mental clarity. Users may experience dizziness, confusion, and impaired motor coordination, increasing their risk of falls and injuries. It can also impair our judgment and decision-making abilities and lead to hallucinations, delusions, or a dissociative state. DXM suppresses coughing by reducing the activity of our central nervous system — the part of our brain responsible for breathing, blood pressure, and heart rate.

If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms and signs of DXM abuse, alcohol abuse or the combination of both, seek treatment immediately. Call for free at to talk to someone about finding appropriate treatment. There are many dextromethorphan warnings to consider, but the most severe ones have to do with combining DXM and other substances, especially alcohol. In recent years, dextromethorphan has also been investigated for its role in treating other psychiatric conditions, dextromethorphan with alcohol such as the pseudobulbar affect and certain symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.

If you are taking dextromethorphan oral liquid or extended-release oral suspension, use an accurate measuring device to measure your dose, such as a dosing cup provided with the medicine. A household spoon is not an accurate measuring device and may cause you to take the wrong dose. Use the dosing cup provided with the product or ask your pharmacist to recommend an appropriate measuring device. If you have questions about how to pay for dextromethorphan, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Whether or not you have health insurance, cost may be a factor when you’re considering dextromethorphan.

Therapeutic duplication warnings are only returned when drugs within the same group exceed the recommended therapeutic duplication maximum. When DXM is misused, larger doses are taken to get a “high” or hallucinogenic effect. All information comes directly from medical research, reliable news sources, and people who have abused DXM. If you’re concerned about misuse or dependence while taking dextromethorphan, talk with your doctor.

Concerns of Mixing Alcohol with Other Drugs

• Dextromethorphan is found in cough syrup and cold/flu gel capsules.
• The drug was brought back in less palatable forms because of its usefulness as a cough suppressant.
• High blood pressure is a condition that occurs when the force of the blood against the walls of the arteries is too high.
• Others use DXM as a substitute for alcohol, thinking it offers a “safer” way to get drunk.
• Also tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you use.

An interaction can occur because one substance causes another substance to have a different effect than expected. Interactions can also occur if you have certain health conditions. Keep reading to learn about dextromethorphan’s possible interactions. Because of the risks, it is best to seek treatment prior to ending your use of alcohol. Completing an assessment at a medical or addiction facility will provide the person in need with a professional recommendation based on usage.

Despite the existence of multiple classes of monoamine-based drugs, a considerable number of patients fail to achieve durable remission of depressive symptoms. €œRobo-tripping” is a slang term for misusing DXM cough medicine. The drug is sometimes mixed with soda or candy to mask the unpleasant taste of cough syrup. More than 100 different cough and cold products have it, including some from Robitussin. DXM works by curbing the cough reflex in the brain to reduce coughing.

Recommended Drug and Alcohol Rehab-Related Articles

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves over-the-counter (OTC) drugs such as dextromethorphan to treat certain conditions. Taking dextromethorphan at recommended doses to help relieve cough shouldn’t make you feel high. Taking more than the recommended dosage of dextromethorphan can lead to harmful effects.

This amount is calibrated to produce the best possible effects without getting the consumer intoxicated or putting them at risk of overdose. If a dextromethorphan cough suppressant does not reduce your cough, do not take more than recommended; see a doctor instead. Abusing these drugs can result in intoxication, overdose, and addiction. A sometimes-deadly combination of abused substances is the misuse of alcohol with a product containing dextromethorphan. When two system depressants are used together, the body can slow down dangerously, creating a powerful effect on the brain.

But at higher doses, particularly at those used recreationally, it starts to have some opposite effects. Side effects of DXM and alcohol can last for several days, depending on the person and the drug mix. If you or someone you know has taken DXM and is experiencing any of the above symptoms, call 911 immediately. According to the National Capital Poison Center, more than 6,000 people visit emergency rooms from DXM toxicity or overdose annually. DXM is a synthetic derivative of morphine that inhibits the release and action of the excitatory neurotransmitter N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA), an action that helps to suppress the cough reflex. The drug is not controlled substance; however, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) does list it as a drug of concern.

About Medical News Today

The hyperthermia that can result from mixing DXM and alcohol can cause coma or damage to the brain. The effects of alcohol and dextromethorphan use can be very dangerous. Long Island Interventions will help guide you throughout the entire process of your loved one’s intervention and recovery. Our professional interventionists are board certified, licensed, and trained in every single aspect of substance use treatment.