How long after taking delsym can i drink alcohol?

Because it acts on such a critical part of our body, DXM has a wide range of side effects. While risks for alcohol use during pregnancy are well known, the effects of DXM use in pregnancy aren’t clear. But a lot of these cough and cold products have other ingredients in them, like acetaminophen, antihistamine, and guaifenesin.

This section describes some of the more common side effects dextromethorphan may cause. You might want to know more about taking Delsym or Robitussin Long-Acting CoughGels instead of dextromethorphan. You can also read this article to learn more about the differences between generic and brand-name drugs. Dextromethorphan is a generic drug, which means it’s an exact copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication. The brand-name medications that dextromethorphan is based on are Delsym and Robitussin Long-Acting CoughGels. It is also important to recognize that DXM presents some abuse risks.

Excessive alcohol consumption may sabotage the health benefits offered by medications like Ozempic. Drinking alcohol with DXM increases the risk of toxicity and can cause serious health problems. Dextromethorphan may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider. Dextromethorphan can be psychologically addictive when misused at high doses for its hallucinogenic effects, so it is important to use this medication responsibly. If you have accidentally consumed alcohol after taking dextromethorphan, monitor yourself for any adverse effects and seek medical attention if needed. Both dextromethorphan and alcohol are central nervous system depressants, and when mixed, they can enhance each other’s effects.

Interactions

Elisabet Jerlhag’s research points out this danger clearly for those using GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic to cut back on drinking. Also, taking your Ozempic dose several hours apart from when you drink alcohol can help minimize discomfort. This slowing down increases the chances of feeling sicker and more likely to throw up. To reduce these risks, it’s best not to have alcoholic drinks late in the evening or just before going to bed. Ozempic, when combined with lifestyle adjustments or other diabetes medications like metformin, significantly improves glycemic control. Promethazine with codeine is still available by prescription in the U.S., but access is restricted due to its classification as a Schedule V controlled substance at the federal level.

Can You Drink Alcohol While You’re on a Medication?

Initially approved by the FDA in 1958, the drug is one of the most common ingredients in over-the-counter medications for cough. Experts think the drug acts on the brain to suppress the cough reflex but are unsure exactly how it works. Although DXM is structurally similar to opioids, it works on different receptors in the brain than opioids. Nonetheless, about 1.5 million Americans misuse DXM and other cough medications to get high. Using them together increases the risk of serotonin syndrome, which can raise blood pressure and heart rate to unsafe levels. Quite can you drink alcohol with dextromethorphan a few cold and cough medicines that have DXM also have acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol.

Clonidine for Drug and Alcohol Withdrawal Treatment

Drowsiness and dizziness are common side effects of medications used to treat allergies, colds, and the flu. When the substances are combined, the effect is intensified, and your judgment and focus will be further impaired. Alcohol can interact with certain drugs or exacerbate the medical and mental health conditions you’re being treated for. They can provide personalized guidance based on your specific medications and health status. After you’ve decided to drink alcohol in moderation while using Ozempic, it’s crucial to keep a close eye on how your body reacts.

Effects of DXM

Separating the time between your medication and having a drink is crucial for maintaining well-balanced blood sugar levels and avoiding additional stress on your body. Combining Ozempic with alcohol might lead to unexpected changes in how you feel, making it harder to keep diabetes complications at bay. Purple drank is drug slang for the mixture containing codeine and promethazine mixed with a soft drink such as Sprite or Fanta—and sometimes with candy such as Jolly Ranchers. The drink gets its name from the purple color of some cough syrups. Purple drank has been popularized in certain music and hip-hop cultures, with some artists glorifying its use in their lyrics.

It is critical for individuals to understand the severe risks of mixing dextromethorphan with alcohol and to avoid the combination to prevent life-threatening consequences. Both DXM and alcohol also act as central nervous system depressants. Their combined use can significantly slow brain activity and reduce the function of vital organs, leading to a potentially lethal decrease in heart rate and suppressed breathing. The additive effect of mixing these substances is particularly hazardous, with the potential to lead to coma or death.

Pharmacies and healthcare providers have become more cautious in prescribing promethazine with codeine due to its association with recreational use. Some manufacturers have discontinued production of promethazine with codeine, but generic versions remain on the market under tight regulation. This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with dextromethorphan. Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. Dextromethorphan misuse is dangerous, and there have been reports of fatal overdoses. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about other medications that contain dextromethorphan.

These products are available in pharmacies, grocery stores, and other retail outlets. A safe dose of products with DXM is about milligrams (mg) over 24 hours. Mixing dextromethorphan with alcohol can lead to increased drowsiness, dizziness, impaired coordination, and respiratory depression. The Recovery Village Indianapolis offers comprehensive addiction treatment for drug and alcohol addictions and co-occurring mental health conditions. In addition, mixing alcohol and DXM can increase your risk of a potentially fatal DXM overdose.

• In extreme cases or if untreated, overdose can lead to coma or death.
• However, when combined with alcohol, dextromethorphan can be dangerous and cause potentially fatal complications.
• Perhaps the most alarming acute effect of DXM is the risk of respiratory depression.
• At high doses, DXM can produce effects such as euphoria, hallucinations, and a dissociative state.
• You’ll meet millions of fellow Reframers in our 24/7 Forum chat and daily Zoom check-in meetings.
• To reduce these risks, it’s best not to have alcoholic drinks late in the evening or just before going to bed.

What Is Alcohol-Induced Psychosis? Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

When taken alone, DXM’s dissociative and hallucinogenic effects may include euphoria, altered perception of time, paranoia, disorientation, and hallucinations. Physical symptoms of intoxication are hyperexcitability, problems walking, involuntary eye movements, and irritability. High doses can lead to impaired motor function, numbness, nausea and vomiting, increased heart rate, and elevated blood pressure.

Alcohol can increase dextromethorphan’s ability to cause the body to overheat, leading to potentially fatal health problems like heat stroke. As a cough suppressant, when dextromethorphan is absorbed into the bloodstream, it binds to receptors in the brain called NMDA receptors. These receptors are involved in pain perception, learning, and memory. Dextromethorphan (DXM) inhibits the function of these receptors and prevents them from sending signals to the brain.

It’s also particularly hard on the liver, an effect compounded by the fact that DXM is often misused in combination with other substances that also affect the liver. In severe overdose, it can lead to death from respiratory failure, which means you stop breathing. Read to learn how DXM and alcohol can affect the body and why you should avoid mixing them. A 2018 report found 1 in 30 teens misuse DXM, and 6 in 10 teens misuse alcohol. If you have an injury or medical condition that causes pain or spasms in your muscles, you might be given medications to relax them.

We’ll explain everything you need to know about dextromethorphan and alcohol below. Take the first step toward addiction treatment by contacting us today. Moderate social drinking is common and accepted around many parts of the world. If you or someone you know has taken DXM and is experiencing any of the above symptoms, call 911 immediately. DXM is one of the most common over-the-counter (OTC) products adolescents misuse. When DXM is misused, larger doses are taken to get a “high” or hallucinogenic effect.

Dosage for cough

The NDEWS recently checked for recent reports of saccharine (artificial sugar) being detected in abused drugs. Putting on their detective hats, the NDEWS team discovered that increased saccharine in drugs was caused by users adding cough syrup to promethazine. The signal for this combination was detected in more than double the number noted in early 2024.

Mild liver inflammation can occur in about 2% of people who take statins for a long time. Mixing anti-anxiety and epilepsy medications with alcoholic beverages can cause slowed breathing, impaired motor control, abnormal behavior, and memory loss. The longer a person misuses stimulants and alcohol together, the higher the risk becomes of developing substance use disorders. Alcohol can make some medications less effective by interfering with how they are absorbed in the digestive tract.

Without prompt medical care, severe cases of serotonin syndrome can lead to death. In extreme cases or if untreated, overdose can lead to coma or death. Mild side effects of many drugs may go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. But if they become bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. In extreme cases, the synergy between DXM and alcohol can result in brain lesions, memory loss, cognitive impairment, emotional and behavioral changes, seizures, and even epilepsy.