Dextromethorphan and Anxiety: What Users Say
Brand names: Delsym, Delsym 12 Hour Cough Relief, Vicks Dayquil Cough, Dry Cough, Cough Syrup DM, Bisolvon Dry, DexAlone, Dextromethorphan HBr Adult Formula, Robitussin CoughGels Long-Acting, Buckleys Mixture, Calmylin, Buckley's Mixture Cough Suppressant, Benylin DM, Delsym Children's 12-Hour Cough Relief, Vicks Formula 44, Covonia Bronchial Balsam, Robafen Cough Liquidgels, Dexi-Tuss, Sucrets Cough, Creomulsion, 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, 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 Scot-Tussin Diabetes Hold Triaminic Thin Strips Cough Giltuss Honey DM 8hr Cough Giltuss Children's Honey DM 8hr Cough ElixSure Cough Hold DM Robitussin Children's Cough Long-Acting …show all brand names
Reviews for Dextromethorphan
- KKa...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- March 19, 2018
Dextromethorphan for Cough "I had a dry cough and asked a pharmacist what would be the best to take. He suggested this Delsym, so I bought it. Less than an hour later, a wave of dizziness hit me. I was not sure what was going on. Then, I began to feel like I was going to vomit. I threw up from 7 pm until 8 am. I had extreme anxiety, shook, my stomach cramped, and gurgled. At one point, I thought I was having a toxic reaction. This is hour 16, and I am still shaking, my pupils are still dilated, and I'm utterly exhausted. I'm not sure how it's even legal to sell this OTC."
- wee...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- February 27, 2013
Dextromethorphan for Cough "Works really well, like Tussinex without the codeine. Tastes better than other cough medicines too. Non-drowsy, but also didn't make me jittery, so I could take it and sleep. Closest thing to Tussinex over the counter."
Frequently asked questions
- Does Mucinex help with Covid?
- Dextromethorphan - can you give TusQ Dx to a child and what is the dose?
- How do I Treat Cough and Sore Throat if I have COVID-19?
- How do I treat a mild case of COVID-19 at home?
- Nan...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- October 23, 2018
Dextromethorphan for Cough "I was already drowsy from cold medicine and decided to take a dose of Delsym before bed to help me and my husband sleep better. I immediately felt anxious, wide awake, and restless. Three hours later, bad diarrhea. The effect it had on reducing my cough was minimal."
- Mik...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- January 26, 2020
Dextromethorphan for Cough "Do not take this!!! I started taking this during the tail end of my flu because my symptoms were mainly just coughing with phlegm. It gave me nausea, which I thought was attributed to the flu, but after taking it a couple more times, I noticed I was extremely nervous with anxiety. I stopped taking it for 2 days, then took it again to see if it really was Delsym causing me severe anxiety. I became super anxious right after 1 hour of taking it, and it took about a day and a half to wear off, and I only took the regular Delsym and not the 12-hour one. Please be aware!!! It did suppress my cough and thinned my mucus, but I'd rather deal with the coughing and mucus than the severe nervousness I dealt with."
Are you taking this medicine?
Your review helps others make informed decisions.- Mik...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- January 26, 2020
Dextromethorphan for Cough "Do not take this!!! I started taking this during the tail end of my flu because my symptoms were mainly just coughing with phlegm. It gave me nausea, which I thought was attributed to the flu, but after taking it a couple more times, I noticed I was extremely nervous with anxiety. I stopped taking it for 2 days, then took it again to see if it really was Delsym causing me severe anxiety. I became super anxious right after 1 hour of taking it, and it took about a day and a half to wear off, and I only took the regular Delsym and not the 12-hour one. Please be aware!!! It did suppress my cough and thinned my mucus, but I'd rather deal with the coughing and mucus than the severe nervousness I dealt with."
- mea...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- July 17, 2018
Dextromethorphan for Cough "Took recommended dose at night. Woke up completely disoriented and dizzy, and had extreme waves of anxiety and feeling like I was going to pass out all day. Finally seemed to wear off around 24 hours later, but was the worst experience. This was actually my second time, I tried it again just to make sure that it was the medicine causing it and not some strange panic attack. It's definitely the medicine."
More FAQ
- What OTC drugs relieve tripledemic symptoms in kids?
- How to Choose Cold and Flu Medications for Kids
- Can...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- March 20, 2018
Dextromethorphan for Cough "I took a dose of Delsym at 9 pm and felt my cough calm down before bed. Woke up at 3 am filled with anxiety, and two hours later, I'm still awake. After reading all the negative reviews and the reaction I have, I don't think I'll take this medicine again. Hoping my stomach stays strong. Picking up some elderberry syrup once the sun comes up."
- Nan...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- February 3, 2019
Dextromethorphan 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!"
- dgg...
- September 24, 2020
Dextromethorphan "I’m getting over the last symptoms of COVID, and I had a persistent cough, so my parents recommended I take Delsym. Well, it did its job, I didn’t have a cough, but I had way more side effects than I would’ve liked. I felt extremely off balance and like I was floating. I had bad diarrhea, a rapid heart rate, and even after working 5 hours, I had anxiety and couldn’t sleep that night, and that was hours after taking it! Crazy experience, felt like I was on actual drugs. Probably won’t be taking it again."
- Rob...
- February 2, 2016
For Cough "Took my first dose last night before bed since I have been having a nagging cough from allergies. Helped suppress the cough a little (not completely), but I was up on and off all night with anxiety, nausea, night sweats, and of course, coughing. It is now 2 pm the following day, and I have been extremely dizzy all day and have been having very gassy diarrhea and stomach cramps. I have been stuck at home all day feeling bad. Will never use this medication again. I prefer coughing over vertigo and diarrhea."
- MrT...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- December 29, 2022
For Cough "Had bronchitis. Took it a few weeks ago. It made me very sleepy at school and very lightheaded/confused. Started it back up this last weekend. It seemed to make me super hungry. Empty stomach sensation. I woke up Monday and took the recommended dose on an empty stomach, then had four bouts of watery diarrhea by noon. Took a 5 mg dose last night before bed at 11 pm. Couldn't sleep past 4 am. I completely feel anxiety, like my blood sugar has dropped. My stomach is a shambles at the moment. Hoping it wears out soon. I just threw my bottle away."
- 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."
- She...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- September 3, 2019
For Cough "I have a cough that I tried 2 prescription nasal sprays for, but neither is helping. I can’t take steroids because of the side effects. I bought an off-brand of Robitussin CF yesterday and took a dose at 9 a.m. and again at 1:30 p.m. Never again! It’s 6:30 a.m. the next morning, and I’m still very jittery and nauseous with absolutely no appetite whatsoever! They need to take this off the shelves! I called the hospital last night and was told it would be okay to take my prescription Diazepam, so I did. Went to sleep and woke at 5 feeling horrible, so I took another Diazepam (I have GAD)."
- 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."
- Les...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- January 26, 2020
Dextromethorphan for Cough "Gave this to my daughter for 3 days, and she had a severe reaction with severe anxiety, hands shaking, nervousness, and nausea. The pharmacist told us to stop the Robitussin (children’s cough/runny nose) and give her Zyrtec to counteract the med causing the rare symptoms, and it helped ..."
- Les...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- January 26, 2020
Dextromethorphan for Cough "Gave this to my daughter for 3 days, and she had a severe reaction with severe anxiety, hands shaking, nervousness, and nausea. The pharmacist told us to stop the Robitussin (children’s cough/runny nose) and give her Zyrtec to counteract the med causing the rare symptoms, and it helped ..."
- Too...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- December 6, 2020
For Cough "What an awful 'medicine.' I've never felt so weird and gross from an OTC med. I do not feel like myself. I'm dissociative, having strange thoughts, stomach burns, I can't even really describe it. This should not be an OTC med, and please don't give it to a child. This is my second dose, after last night when, after taking it, I was up all night, jittery and weird. I thought I was just having insomnia, then after my second dose this AM, uh-uh, nope, it's these really bad side effects. I just keep praying it leaves me. Also, weird muscle twitches. Avoid, avoid, avoid."
- Anonymous
- February 20, 2012
Dextromethorphan for Cough "Kept me up all night, felt nervous, anxious... upset my stomach, and I was still coughing."
- Anonymous
- February 20, 2012
Dextromethorphan for Cough "Kept me up all night, felt nervous, anxious... upset my stomach, and I was still coughing."
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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!"