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Important: This site presents data from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). A report does not mean the drug caused the event. Full disclaimer.

DEXTROMETHORPHAN: 5,174 Adverse Event Reports & Safety Profile

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5,174
Total FAERS Reports
1,303 (25.2%)
Deaths Reported
612
Hospitalizations
5,174
As Primary/Secondary Suspect
176
Life-Threatening
73
Disabilities
Cardinal Health 107, LLC
Manufacturer

Drug Class: Sigma-1 Agonist [EPC] · Route: ORAL · Manufacturer: Cardinal Health 107, LLC · HUMAN OTC DRUG · FDA Label: Available

First Report: 1967 · Latest Report: 20250916

What Are the Most Common DEXTROMETHORPHAN Side Effects?

#1 Most Reported
Drug ineffective
1,204 reports (23.3%)
#2 Most Reported
Drug abuse
625 reports (12.1%)
#3 Most Reported
Toxicity to various agents
618 reports (11.9%)

All DEXTROMETHORPHAN Side Effects by Frequency

Side Effect Reports % of Total Deaths Hosp.
Drug ineffective 1,204 23.3% 26 50
Drug abuse 625 12.1% 485 77
Toxicity to various agents 618 11.9% 510 142
Overdose 504 9.7% 72 76
Accidental overdose 356 6.9% 43 8
Dizziness 339 6.6% 30 42
Completed suicide 289 5.6% 288 65
Diarrhoea 270 5.2% 29 33
No adverse event 240 4.6% 1 2
Death 213 4.1% 213 9
Somnolence 167 3.2% 5 22
Nausea 154 3.0% 21 28
Cough 153 3.0% 1 37
Vomiting 148 2.9% 32 40
Insomnia 137 2.7% 24 30
Dyspnoea 130 2.5% 31 78
Intentional overdose 121 2.3% 29 61
Headache 117 2.3% 23 29
Condition aggravated 112 2.2% 36 56
Malaise 106 2.1% 29 62

Who Reports DEXTROMETHORPHAN Side Effects? Age & Gender Data

Gender: 58.6% female, 41.4% male. Average age: 41.2 years. Most reports from: US. View detailed demographics →

Is DEXTROMETHORPHAN Getting Safer? Reports by Year

YearReportsDeathsHosp.
2001 1 1 1
2005 1 0 1
2006 1 1 0
2007 3 1 1
2008 1 1 0
2009 5 5 0
2010 1 1 0
2011 5 3 2
2012 90 88 0
2013 56 53 2
2014 133 16 15
2015 316 7 9
2016 308 20 13
2017 298 42 17
2018 210 32 15
2019 155 6 7
2020 115 28 4
2021 93 10 15
2022 137 7 9
2023 95 15 21
2024 49 1 7
2025 8 0 2

View full timeline →

What Is DEXTROMETHORPHAN Used For?

IndicationReports
Product used for unknown indication 2,981
Cough 1,388
Nasopharyngitis 83
Drug abuse 52
Suicide attempt 36
Respiratory tract congestion 26
Antitussive therapy 20
Complex regional pain syndrome 20
Covid-19 17
Oropharyngeal pain 15

DEXTROMETHORPHAN vs Alternatives: Which Is Safer?

DEXTROMETHORPHAN vs DEXTROMETHORPHAN HYDROBROMIDE DEXTROMETHORPHAN vs DEXTROMETHORPHAN HYDROBROMIDE\GUAIFENESIN DEXTROMETHORPHAN vs DEXTROMETHORPHAN HYDROBROMIDE\GUAIFENESIN\PHENYLEPHRINE DEXTROMETHORPHAN vs DEXTROMETHORPHAN HYDROBROMIDE\QUINIDINE DEXTROMETHORPHAN vs DEXTROMETHORPHAN\GUAIFENESIN DEXTROMETHORPHAN vs DEXTROSE DEXTROMETHORPHAN vs DEXTROSE\DEXTROSE DEXTROMETHORPHAN vs DEXTROSE\DEXTROSE\DOBUTAMINE\DOBUTAMINE DEXTROMETHORPHAN vs DEXTROSE\HEPARIN DEXTROMETHORPHAN vs DEXTROSE\LIDOCAINE

Other Drugs in Same Class: Sigma-1 Agonist [EPC]

Official FDA Label for DEXTROMETHORPHAN

Official prescribing information from the FDA-approved drug label.

FDA Approved Uses (Indications)

Indication and usage section Indication and usage section Do nor exceed recommended dosage Do not take more than 6 doses in any 24 hours period Adults and children 12 years and over 10 ml every 4 hours Children 6 to under 12 years age 5 ml every 4 hours Children 4 to under 6 years age 2.5 ml every 4 hours Children under 4 years of age Consult a doctor indication an user

Dosage & Administration

Directions shake bottle well before use measure only with dosing cup provided do not use dosing cup with other products dose as follows or as directed by a doctor mL = milliliter adults and children 12 years of age and over 10 mL every 12 hours, not to exceed 20 mL in 24 hours children 6 to under 12 years of age 5 mL every 12 hours, not to exceed 10 mL in 24 hours children 4 to under 6 years of age 2.5 mL every 12 hours, not to exceed 5 mL in 24 hours children under 4 years of age do not use

Warnings

WARNINGS Do not use if you are now taking a prescription monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) (certain drugs for depression, psychiatric, or emotional conditions, or Parkinson's disease), or for 2 weeks after stopping the MAOI drug. If you do not know if your prescription drug contains an MAOI, ask a doctor or pharmacist before taking this product. Ask a doctor before use if you have

  • cough that occurs with too much phlegm (mucus)
  • cough that lasts or is chronic such as occurs with smoking, asthma, chronic bronchitis, or emphysema Stop use and ask a doctor if
  • cough lasts more than 7 days, comes back, or is accompanied by fever, rash, or persistent headache. These could be signs of a serious condition.
  • you are hypersensitive to any of the ingredients. If pregnant or breast-feeding, ask a health professional before use. Keep out of reach of children. In case of overdose, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away.

Active Ingredient

DESCRIPTION Each 5 mL (1 teaspoonful) contains: Guaifenesin 100 mg Dextromethorphan Hydrobromide 10 mg Inactive Ingredients: Citric acid, FD&C Red No. 40, flavoring, glycerin, menthol, purified water, sodium benzoate, sodium citrate, sodium saccharin, and sucrose.

Sodium

Content: 4 mg/5 mL

Inactive Ingredients

Inactive ingredients magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, sodium starch glycolate. Questions or comments? Call weekdays between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. CST, at 833-289-7626 or visit our website www.RoboCough.com to report serious adverse events associated with the use of this product. Please call a doctor for medical advice. Distributed by: DXM Pharmaceutical, Inc. 2717 Commercial Center Blvd., Suite E200 Katy, TX 77 494 www.RoboCough.com Patent Pending.