Delsym 12 Hour Cough Relief User Reviews & Ratings

• Sti...
• January 10, 2020

For Cough "Please save your money on this one, folks. I've had all of 2 doses. Had diarrhea after dose #1. Waited the 12 hrs, took dose #2. I had such terrible wheezing for 1 and 1/2 hours following that 2nd dose. Scared me. As I live alone, I wasn't sure I would be able to drive myself to the hospital, so I sat up and prayed, a lot. Very scary trying to catch my breath. Of course, following dose #2 came more diarrhea. This unused portion was immediately delivered to the garbage can. This was even recommended to me by my pharmacist when I picked up my 2 Rx's called in by my PMD. So glad others have written in with their comments/complaints. Wish I would have read them 1st. Now I'm out $10.00 plus change but glad it's out of my house! AND, it did NOTHING FOR MY COUGH!"

• del...
• December 18, 2019

For Cough "Post nasal drip kept me up coughing, so I bought Delsym, thinking it would help. I took the regular dose about 8 PM. I couldn't fall asleep until 3 AM. I was wide awake. The main ingredient must work as a stimulant for me. I did not experience any other bad side effects. It did not help my cough. I will not take it again."

• Kja...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 3, 2021

For Cough "I just took the recommended 10 mg dose for a severe cough that I can’t get rid of. I was actually hopeful that it was doing as intended, my cough went away for all of 7-10 minutes. I don’t know what to think about that, it’s a 12-hour medication. Unfortunately, I would not recommend this product."

• 1Pe...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 6, 2019

For Cough "I’ve been giving this to my grandson for a few years now. When he got sick, he always seemed to get diarrhea and terrible gastrointestinal issues, and I just equated it to a symptom of whatever bug he had caught. A few days ago, we were on vacation, and he got sick. The coughing started and sinus issues. Then I got it yesterday. I’ve found that as an adult, I have to take the highest dose to quit coughing, so it doesn’t work for more than a couple of hours. On top of constantly coughing, and I can’t take anything else, now we both have gas and constant diarrhea. I am throwing all of it in the garbage in the AM and going to take him to the Dr and get something that will actually work. Bottom line is - the med has big-time side effects, and you only get about 4 hours of relief. I don’t understand why the pharmaceutical companies keep making and selling this. They positively know that it’s causing more issues than relieving."

• Chr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 4, 2019

For Cough "The first dose I took early this afternoon worked OK (I only took 1/2 dose), but I took the full dose about 30 minutes ago and cannot stop coughing. It’s actually worse than it was before I took the second dose. Praying this works so I can get a good night’s sleep!"

• AKE...
• December 4, 2015

For Cough "I had a very dry cough and onset of dry, wheezing chest congestion. I took a capful, and the cough stopped within minutes, the congestion loosened in the nose and lungs over the next 2-3 hours. I was able to sleep and am no longer constipated. 9/10 stars."

• GGa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 29, 2018

For Cough "I get bronchitis at least once or twice a year, and this is the only medicine to help my cough. My coughing keeps me up at night, my ribs hurt, and this medicine gives me some relief. I get no gas, nausea, or poops from it! Most medicines do cause those above symptoms listed, and with this, I have none."

• Emm...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 25, 2019

For Cough "I have taken Delsym ever since I was young (for colds). I have asthma, so a cold isn’t just a cold for me, but every time I have taken it has resulted in nausea, vomiting, extreme dizziness, fast heartbeat, and shakiness for about 2 days. I later learned that the ingredient called dextromethorphan was causing this. Anytime I take anything with this, it happens. Idk if I’m sensitive to it or allergic."

• Nan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 3, 2019

For Cough "I started taking this medicine a week ago for a sinus infection-related cough. I noticed more anxiety and doing a lot of running to the bathroom. I thought it was from just being sick and taking an antibiotic. Tonight I took a dose, and within 30 minutes, I experienced extreme nausea. I found this site, and it all makes sense now! No more Delsym for me!"

• Fec...
• March 7, 2017

For Cough "Did absolutely nothing to alleviate my cough. And now I am feeling slightly nauseated. I actually think my cough was better before taking it, as at least the hacking was removing phlegm. Now it's a useless dry cough that is just as painful to my poor abused ribs. Thankfully, I haven't noticed any warning signs of diarrhea. Hopefully, it'll stay that way. Overall, this product was an unsatisfying waste of my money and time."

• Jim...
• April 1, 2016

For Cough "Paid $10.00 for a 3 oz bottle. Took as directed and did not stop coughing. Only upset my stomach. Called the company and they would not stand behind their product. No return policy for the unused portion."

• LD9...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 15, 2018

For Cough "Delsym 12-hour cough medicine should be avoided at all costs. I wish I had never taken it. At first, it seemed to work, but then came the diarrhea, nausea, and dizziness. I had trouble sleeping while taking this product. After 2 doses, it triggered a histamine reaction as well. Before taking this product, my only ailment was a lingering cough from having a cold. After taking Delsym, I'm still dealing with the cough, but now I also have diarrhea, and all the symptoms that come with full-blown allergies. I can't wait until my body completely purges this horrible product from my system."

• Jen...
• April 25, 2017

For Cough "I was sleeping in the recliner and coughing no matter what I tried. This worked very well. I think it might be the best 12 hours of relief I have had from coughing. Slight diarrhea but so worth the cough relief. I would take this again when that sick with a cough."

• Sta...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 27, 2019

For Cough "I have been referred to this medication by two separate pharmacists at two different times, but my experience has not been positive. I caught a cough from my husband. I didn’t take anything for it at first, but couldn’t sleep, so I explained my issue to the pharmacist who recommended it. I took the prescribed dose, and within minutes, I was coughing so hard that I had difficulty getting my breath. It was scary. This violent coughing went on for about 20 to 25 minutes and then stopped. I was able to sleep for about 5 to 6 hours, and when I woke up, I had a headache. I could feel the headache through my sinuses and at the back of my head. I put a warm washcloth over my forehead for a while, which helped a little, but the headache did not go away over 3 hours from waking; so I’ll have to take an Aleve when I finish this review. One thing I noticed is that my cough, which was a dry cough, has now gone to my chest."

• Dol...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 13, 2018

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."

• Sit...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 13, 2016

For Cough "Best cough medicine on the market. I was having a cough for a week, but after I took a dose, I didn't have any cough the next day. I read a lot of reviews about the medicine. Some guys got diarrhea. Don't take any medicines if you have a weak digestive system. Next time, take lemon tea, your cough will go. This is a good medicine. Don't tell them to reduce the real power of medicine."

• Ckj...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 19, 2022

For Cough "Definitely not a 12-hour product. I have to take a full dose every couple of hours. It is apparently the only OTC cough suppressant on the market for dry coughs. It's making me gassy, interfering with my sleep (when I do finally fall asleep, crazy nightmares). A pretty terrible product, but apparently my only option."

• Get...
• September 14, 2015

For Cough "I have a chronic cough for 2 months from allergies that turned into a bronchitis/asthma thing. On other inhalers and allergy medicines and took Delsym because the cough wouldn't stop. Soothed the cough a little so I could get some phlegm out. Thinking the next dose would do the trick, but 8 hours after the first dose, I had bad gassy poops! Don't think I will take the second dose."

• Mel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 3, 2022

For Cough "I bought this medicine because it was recommended by a doctor in a CVS pharmacy. Well, this medicine hasn’t helped me whatsoever. My cough is still very bad and worse at nights. Didn’t work for me, and I will never buy it again."

• Meo...
• July 11, 2021

For Cough "I bought this in desperation, hoping it would help my cough. I took an adult amount, and first off, I was pleasantly surprised by the taste. It actually tastes good, and it worked great, I only coughed a couple of times after taking it. I highly recommend Delsym."

• dec...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 29, 2022

For Cough "I do not recommend the use of Delsym 12 Hour Cough Relief. It was recommended to me by a pharmacist to help with a COVID cough. I have high blood pressure, and according to the pharmacist, this would raise BP. At 11:00 PM (bedtime), I took the prescribed dosage. At 1:30 AM, I awoke with severe nausea, stomach cramps, dizziness. A few minutes later, diarrhea with numerous trips throughout the night. I sipped on water and tried soda crackers to help with nausea. My blood pressure was 200/100. For 12 hours, I was extremely ill. The next day, I went to urgent care. The diagnosis was side effects from Delsym 12 Hour. I believe this drug should come with warnings of these side effects and be removed as an over-the-counter drug."

• Lil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 20, 2020

For Cough "I just took 10 ml Delsym for my chest and dry cough, adult strength. And 10-15 minutes after taking it, my heart started racing, and it scared me. I called the pharmacist about the heart pounding, and she stated that was a side effect. Here I am, feeling like I ran a mile and back, lying in my bed. I am not happy with this, even though I'm not coughing. I would caution anyone who takes this medication to be careful. I don't know how long it will be before it wears off, but I'm ready to feel relaxed again. Ugh, December 20, 2020"

• Fee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 29, 2018

For Cough "Supposedly, this stuff takes away your cough so you can 'enjoy' life... NOT my experience!!! The first two times I took it, I constantly coughed at least three out of the eight hours I tried to sleep. The third time I took it, I took just a little more than the recommended dose and propped myself up in bed to try to get some sleep, with only minimal success. Seriously, DON'T waste your money on this junk!!"

• Acr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 7, 2018

For Cough "I took it for nasal congestion because, for some reason, that’s what I thought it was for, and it was the orange syrup version. It cleared up my sinuses pretty much 100%, so I’m really impressed with it. I must be lucky because I ended up taking half the bottle (over a long period of time) and didn’t experience any nausea, whereas a lot of people say they were vomiting with only one dose (by the way, the amount I drank is safe because it was pure dxm HBr)."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 27, 2024

For Cough "I have no side effects. The cough syrup works somewhat. I can tell my coughing is less than without it. Not completely gone but at least reduced. I went to see the doctor and found out I have post-infectious cough. The coughing occurs after you finish your infection like common cold. Cough can last a few weeks after being sick. I would recommend this product. I got the grape flavor and it tastes good. It also comes in orange. The syrup is thick so make sure you rinse the dosing cup with water to get all of it out."