Capmist DM
Capmist DM is a combination of three medications: dextromethorphan (a cough suppressant), guaifenesin (an expectorant), and pseudoephedrine (a decongestant). It's available behind the counter and is taken by adults and children to treat cough and congestion from allergies or the common cold. Capmist DM comes as a tablet that's taken by mouth, typically every 4 hours. The combination of medications (dextromethorphan, guaifenesin, pseudoephedrine) can also be found under other brand names, such as Poly-Vent DM. Possible side effects of this medication can include sleepiness, dizziness, and headache.
What is Capmist DM?
What is Capmist DM used for?
Short-term relief of symptoms due to allergies or the common cold:
- Chest congestion
- Sinus congestion and pressure
- Stuffy nose
- Cough
How Capmist DM works
Capmist DM is a combination of three medications that work together to relieve symptoms caused by allergies and the common cold.
- Dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant that works in the brain to lower your urge to cough.
- Guaifenesin is an expectorant that loosens mucus in your airways by making it thinner. This makes it easier to cough out mucus and help clear chest congestion.
- Pseudoephedrine is a decongestant, which works to relieve stuffy nose. It makes the blood vessels around your nose more narrow, which eases nasal swelling and pressure. This allows you to breathe more freely and to have better sinus drainage.
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Capmist DM, Poly Vent DM |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Cough suppressant / Expectorant / Decongestant |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Controlled in some states. See FAQs below. |
| Generic Status | No lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription or over-the-counter |
Side effects of Capmist DM
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Dizziness
- Restlessness
- Nausea
Less Common Side Effects
- Changes in blood pressure (up or down)
- Headache
- Trouble sleeping
Capmist DM serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Serotonin syndrome: fast heart rate, sweating, muscle stiffness or spasms, high fever, confusion
The following Capmist DM side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Heart palpitations—rapid, pounding, or irregular heartbeat
- Increase in blood pressure
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
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Pros and cons of Capmist DM
Pros
- Taken by mouth
- More convenient to take because it's combination of three medications
- Might be an option for children ages 6 years and older
Cons
- Might need to take multiple times a day
- Can't adjust the dose of an individual medication in this combination
- Pseudoephedrine not a good option for people with high blood pressure
Pharmacist tips for Capmist DM
- Before giving Capmist DM to a child, read the directions and dosage on the label very carefully. Different brand names of this medication might have different directions and age cut-offs.
- You can take Capmist DM with or without food. If it upsets your stomach, try taking the medication with food.
- If your symptoms worsen or last longer than a week, or you start to have a fever, rash, or headache, stop taking Capmist DM and let your healthcare team know. These might be signs that you need more medical attention.
- Stop taking Capmist DM and contact your healthcare team if you experience dizziness, nervousness, or trouble sleeping. These might be side effects from the pseudoephedrine or other medications in Capmist DM. Depending on how severe your symptoms are, your care team might lower your dose of Capmist DM or ask you to consider alternative medications.
- Don't start any new medications while taking Capmist DM, especially other medications containing a cough suppressant, guaifenesin, or decongestants, without talking to a healthcare professional first. Doing so can raise your risk of overdose and severe side effects, including seizures, high blood pressure and heart rate, or even death.
- Capmist DM shouldn't be taken with a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), such as selegiline. This combination can raise your risk for severe side effects, like serotonin syndrome. If you're currently taking an MAOI or have taken one in the last 14 days, ask your care team about safer options to treat your symptoms.
Risks and warnings for Capmist DM
Capmist DM can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Serotonin syndrome
- Risk factors: Taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI) 14 days before starting Capmist DM | Taking other medications that raise serotonin levels in your brain
The dextromethorphan in Capmist DM can raise your risk for serotonin syndrome, a rare, but potentially life-threatening side effect. Your risk is higher if you're also taking other medications that affect serotonin levels, such as certain antidepressants, MAOIs, and certain migraine medications.
Make sure your healthcare team knows about all the medications you take (including over-the-counter medications and supplements) before starting Capmist DM so they can make sure this medication is safe for you to take. Don't start any new medications while taking Capmist DM without letting your pharmacist or prescriber know. Symptoms of serotonin syndrome include fast heart rate, sweating, muscle stiffness or spasms, high fever, and confusion. Get medical help right away if you have any of these symptoms.
Accidental overdose
Capmist DM contains a cough suppressant (dextromethorphan), an expectorant (guaifenesin), and a decongestant (pseudoephedrine), which are in many other over-the-counter products. Using more than one medication containing a cough suppressant, expectorant, and a decongestant can lead to an accidental overdose and cause serious side effects, including high blood pressure or fast heart rate, seizures, or hallucinations (seeing things that are not real). If you're not sure if a product has a cough suppressant, an expectorant, or a decongestant, ask your pharmacist.
Make sure you read the medication box carefully because there are several manufacturers that make medications similar to Capmist DM and have different amounts of the three main ingredients with different age cut-offs for children who can safely use the medication. If you have any questions on which product is best for you or your child, ask your pharmacist. If you or your loved one experiences an accidental overdose, get medical help right away or contact a Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222.
Worsening of medical conditions
- Risk factors: Cough from smoking, asthma, or emphysema | Mucus-producing cough | Heart disease or high blood pressure | Endocrine problems (e.g., thyroid disease, diabetes) | Urinary problems
Don't take Capmist DM if you have any of the risk factors listed above unless your primary care provider said it is safe to do so. Taking Capmist DM can worsen your condition(s) and cause serious side effects. Make sure your healthcare team knows about all medical conditions you have or have had in the past before starting Capmist DM.
Capmist DM dosage
Tablet| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15mg/400mg/60mg | 30 tablets | $16.35 | $0.55 |
Typical dosage for Capmist DM
There are several manufacturers that make products that contain dextromethorphan, guaifenesin, and pseudoephedrine. They each might have different amounts of medication and the dose might slightly differ. Be sure to check the medication box for the specific instructions for your product.
Capmist DM tablets: Each tablet contains 15 mg of dextromethorphan, 400 mg of guaifenesin, and 60 mg of pseudoephedrine.
- Adults and children age 12 years and up: The typical dose is 1 tablet by mouth every 4 hours. Don't take more than 4 tablets in a 24-hour period.
- Children age 6 years to under 12 years: The typical dose is one-half a tablet by mouth every 4 hours. Don't take more than 2 tablets in a 24-hour period.
- Children under 6 years: Ask your child's pediatrician.
How much does Capmist DM cost?
$16.35
Capmist DM contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Capmist DM will not be safe for you to take.
- Currently take or have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) in the last 2 weeks
What are alternatives to Capmist DM?
Short-term relief of symptoms due to allergies or the common cold:
