Generic name: dextromethorphan and quinidine [ DEX-troe-me-THOR-fan-and-KWIN-i-deen ]
Drug class: Miscellaneous central nervous system agents

Medically reviewed by Philip Thornton, DipPharm. Last updated on Sep 30, 2024.

What is Nuedexta?

Nuedexta contains a combination of dextromethorphan and quinidine. Dextromethorphan affects the signals in the brain that trigger cough reflex and is generally used as a cough suppressant. Quinidine affects the way that the heart beats and is generally used in people with certain heart rhythm disorders.

Nuedexta is used for the treatment of pseudobulbar affect (PBA).

Nuedexta treats involuntary outbursts of crying or laughing in people with certain neurological disorders, including multiple sclerosis and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, or Lou Gehrig's disease).

Warnings

You should not use Nuedexta if you have heart failure, a serious heart condition called "AV block" (unless you have a pacemaker), or a history of Long QT syndrome or life-threatening heart rhythm disorder.

Do not use Nuedexta if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine, and others.

You also should not take Nuedexta if you are also taking mefloquine, quinidine, or quinine, or if you have ever had an allergic reaction or serious medical problem caused by taking any of these medications.

Some medicines can interact with Nuedexta and should not be used at the same time. Tell your doctor about all medicines you use, and those you start or stop using during your treatment with this medicine.

You should not take Nuedexta if you are also taking quinidine (Quin-G), quinine (Qualaquin), or mefloquine (Lariam), or if you have ever had an allergic reaction or serious medical problem caused by taking any of these medications.

Before taking this medicine

You should not take Nuedexta if you are allergic to dextromethorphan or quinidine, or if you have:

• heart failure;

• a history of life-threatening heart rhythm disorder;

• long QT syndrome (in you or a family member);

• a serious heart condition called "AV block" (unless you have a pacemaker); or

• if you also use mefloquine, quinidine, or quinine.

You also should not take Nuedexta if you have ever had any of the following problems caused by taking mefloquine, quinidine, or quinine:

• bruising or bleeding;

• hepatitis;

• an allergic reaction; or

• lupus-like symptoms (joint pain, fever, skin rash on your cheeks).

Do not use Nuedexta if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine, and others. After you stop taking Nuedexta, you must wait at least 14 days before you start taking an MAOI.

Nuedexta can cause a serious heart problem. You should not take this medicine if you also use certain other medicines for infections, asthma, heart problems, high blood pressure, depression, mental illness, cancer, malaria, or HIV.

Be sure your doctor knows if you also take stimulant medicine, opioid medicine, herbal products, or medicine for depression, mental illness, Parkinson's disease, migraine headaches, serious infections, or prevention of nausea and vomiting. These medicines may interact with dextromethorphan and quinidine and cause a serious condition called serotonin syndrome.

To make sure Nuedexta is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• heart disease, high blood pressure, coronary artery disease;

• slow heartbeats or any type of heart rhythm disorder;

• an electrolyte imbalance (such as low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood);

• myasthenia gravis; or

• trouble with balance or walking.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Nuedexta is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

How should I take Nuedexta?

Take Nuedexta exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets.

Nuedexta is usually taken once per day for 7 days, and then once every 12 hours. Follow your doctor's dosing instructions very carefully.

You may take Nuedexta with or without food.

Your doctor will need to check your progress on a regular basis. You may need medical tests to help your doctor determine how long to treat you with Nuedexta.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Pseudobulbar Affect:

-Initial Dose: Days 1 to 7: Dextromethorphan 20 mg-quinidine 10 mg orally once a day
-Maintenance Dose: Day 8 and thereafter: Dextromethorphan 20 mg-quinidine 10 mg orally every 12 hours
-Maximum dose: Dextromethorphan 40 mg-quinidine 20 mg orally per day

Comments: The need for continued treatment should be reassessed periodically as spontaneous improvement of PBA occurs in some patients.

Use: Treatment of Pseudobulbar Affect (PBA)

Related/similar drugs

dextromethorphan / quinidine

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

Do not take more than 2 capsules in a 24-hour period.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose can cause severe dizziness, confusion, double vision, ringing in your ears, hearing loss, vomiting, fast or irregular heart rate, weak or shallow breathing, or seizure (convulsions).

What to avoid

Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired. Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Dizziness can cause falls, accidents, or severe injuries.

Grapefruit may interact with dextromethorphan and quinidine and lead to unwanted side effects. Avoid the use of grapefruit products.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any cough or cold medication that may contain dextromethorphan. Taking certain products together can cause you to get too much dextromethorphan. Check the label of medicines such as Delsym, Robitussin Maximum Strength, Vicks 44, and others.

Nuedexta side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Nuedexta: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using this medicine and call your doctor at once if you have:

• fast or pounding heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, shortness of breath, and sudden dizziness (like you might pass out);

• easy bruising or bleeding (nosebleeds, bleeding gums);

• pain or burning when you urinate;

• liver problems - fever, right-sided upper stomach pain, vomiting, loss of appetite, yellowing of your skin or eyes, and not feeling well; or

• lupus-like symptoms - muscle or joint pain, flu symptoms, chest pain, and a rash or patchy skin color that worsens in sunlight.

Seek medical attention right away if you have symptoms of serotonin syndrome, such as: agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating, shivering, fast heart rate, muscle stiffness, twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Common Nuedexta side effects may include:

• dizziness, weakness;

• diarrhea, gas, vomiting;

• swelling in your hands or feet;

• flu symptoms, cough; or

• abnormal liver function tests.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect Nuedexta?

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.

Nuedexta can cause a serious heart problem. Your risk may be higher if you also use certain other medicines for infections, asthma, heart problems, high blood pressure, depression, mental illness, cancer, malaria, or HIV.

Many drugs can interact with dextromethorphan and quinidine, and some drugs should not be used at the same time. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here.

Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Nuedexta only for the indication prescribed.

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

Medical Disclaimer

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