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Dextromethorphan Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Warnings

Brand names: Babee Cof, Benylin DM, Bisolvon Dry, Bisolvon Dry Junior, Buckley's DM, Buckley's Mixture Cough Suppressant, Buckleys Mixture, Cough Syrup DM, Covonia Bronchial Balsam, Creomulsion, Delsym, Delsym 12 Hour Cough Relief, Delsym Children's 12-Hour Cough Relief, DexAlone, Dextromethorphan HBr Adult Formula, Dry Cough, Hold, Pertussin DM, Robitussin CoughGels Long-Acting, St. Joseph Cough Suppressant, Strepsils Cough, Strepsils Cough Relief, Vicks Dayquil Cough, Vicks Formula 44, Vicks Formula 44 Custom Care Dry Cough Suppressant

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Dec 21, 2023.

Dextromethorphan Pregnancy Warnings

Benefit should outweigh risk

AU TGA pregnancy category: A

Anti-tussive use during pregnancy has not been reported to increase the risk of teratogenic effects. However, there are no controlled data in human pregnancy.

AU TGA pregnancy category A: Drugs which have been taken by a large number of pregnant women and women of childbearing age without any proven increase in the frequency of malformations or other direct or indirect harmful effects on the fetus having been observed.

See references

Dextromethorphan Breastfeeding Warnings

Benefit should outweigh risk

Excreted into human milk: Unknown
Excreted into animal milk: Data not available

Comments:
-Excretion of this drug into breast milk has not been studied, however, usual doses are unlikely to cause harm to a nursing infant, especially infants older than 2 months.
-As many cough syrups contain alcohol, be sure to check labels and avoid alcohol containing products.

Based on the low molecular weight of dextromethorphan some passage into breast milk probably occurs. However, maternal use of dextromethorphan products that do not contain alcohol are probably safe to use during breast-feeding.

See references

See also

References for pregnancy information

  1. (2001) "Product Information. Benylin DM (dextromethorphan)." Warner Lambert Consumer Healthcare
  2. Briggs GG, Freeman RK, Yaffe SJ.. (1998) "Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation." Baltimore, MD: Williams & Wilkins
  3. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics."
  4. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information."

References for breastfeeding information

  1. (2001) "Product Information. Benylin DM (dextromethorphan)." Warner Lambert Consumer Healthcare
  2. Briggs GG, Freeman RK, Yaffe SJ.. (1998) "Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation." Baltimore, MD: Williams & Wilkins
  3. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics."
  4. United States National Library of Medicine (2013) Toxnet. Toxicology Data Network. http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/htmlgen?LACT

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

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