Capron DM
Capron DM is a combination of two medications: dextromethorphan (a cough suppressant) and pyrilamine (an antihistamine). It can be taken by adults and children to help ease symptoms of allergies and the common cold, such as cough, runny nose, and itchy throat. Capron DM (dextromethorphan / pyrilamine) is taken by mouth, typically every 6 to 8 hours. It's available over the counter and comes as an oral liquid and a tablet. Possible side effects of this medication include dizziness and sleepiness.
What is Capron DM (dextromethorphan / pyrilamine)?
What is Capron DM (dextromethorphan / pyrilamine) used for?
Short-term relief of symptoms from allergies and the common cold:
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Itchy or watery eyes
- Itching of the nose and throat
How Capron DM (dextromethorphan / pyrilamine) works
Capron DM is a combination of two medications that work together to relieve symptoms caused by allergies and the common cold.
- Dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant (antitussive). It's thought to work in the brain to lower your urge to cough.
- Pyrilamine is an antihistamine. It blocks a natural substance in your body called histamine that normally causes allergy symptoms. By blocking histamine, pyrilamine lessens inflammation (swelling) and relieves runny or itchy nose, sneezing, and watery eyes.
Drug facts
Side effects of Capron DM (dextromethorphan / pyrilamine)
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
- Sleepiness
- Dizziness
- Constipation
- Blurry vision
- Dry mouth
Less Common Side Effects
- Stomach upset
- Trouble urinating
Capron DM (dextromethorphan / pyrilamine) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Excessive sleepiness or dizziness
- Serotonin syndrome: fast heart rate, sweating, muscle stiffness or spasms, fever, confusion
- Signs of an overdose: seizures, heart rhythm problems, hallucinations, loss of consciousness
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Pros and cons of Capron DM (dextromethorphan / pyrilamine)
Pros
- Can treat a wide variety of allergy and common cold symptoms
- Available over the counter
- Available as a tablet and a liquid
- More convenient to take because it's a combination of two medications
Cons
- Might need to take multiple times a day
- Can't change the dose of a single ingredient if needed because it's a combination medication
- Can make you sleepy and dizzy
- Might not be the best choice for people over 65 years old; people with glaucoma; or people with breathing, heart, or urinary problems
Pharmacist tips for Capron DM (dextromethorphan / pyrilamine)
- You can take Capron DM (dextromethorphan / pyrilamine) with or without food. If it upsets your stomach, try taking the medication with food.
- For Capron DM liquid: Make sure to use a medication dose cup or a syringe to measure your dose. Don't use household spoons because they're not accurate and might cause you to take the wrong dose.
- Capron DM (dextromethorphan / pyrilamine) can keep you awake or make you sleepy or dizzy. Don't drive until you know how the medication affects you.
- While Capron DM (dextromethorphan / pyrilamine) usually makes adults sleepy, it's possible for children who use Capron DM (dextromethorphan / pyrilamine) to become overly excited or energetic. If this happens to your child, speak to your child's pediatrician.
- Don't start any new medications while taking Capron DM (dextromethorphan / pyrilamine), especially other cough suppressants (antitussives) or antihistamines, without talking to your primary care provider or pharmacist first. Doing so can raise your risk of taking too much medication and severe side effects, including breathing problems and dizziness.
- Capron DM (dextromethorphan / pyrilamine) shouldn't be taken with certain medications for mood, such as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI). This combination can raise your risk for severe side effects, such as serotonin syndrome, daytime sleepiness, and dizziness. If you've taken an MAOI in the last 14 days, don't use Capron DM (dextromethorphan / pyrilamine). Contact your primary care provider for other options to treat your allergy or common cold symptoms.
- Stop using Capron DM (dextromethorphan / pyrilamine) and contact your primary care provider if your cough lasts longer than 1 week, tends to keep coming back, or is present with a fever, rash, or headache, or any other new symptoms appear. These might be signs of a more serious medical condition.
Common questions about Capron DM (dextromethorphan / pyrilamine)
Yes, Capron DM (dextromethorphan / pyrilamine) is available over the counter and can be found at most local pharmacies. If you're having trouble finding Capron DM (dextromethorphan / pyrilamine), ask your pharmacist or primary care provider for other antihistamine / antitussive combination products you can take instead.
Ask your child's pediatrician to see if Capron DM (dextromethorphan / pyrilamine) is appropriate for you child. In general, children can take Capron DM (dextromethorphan / pyrilamine) if they meet the age cut-off set by the manufacturers. So check the age cut-off and dosing of your specific product before giving the medication to your child. Capron DM (dextromethorphan / pyrilamine) liquid can be taken by children ages 6 years and older, or as directed by a pediatrician. Capron DMT (dextromethorphan / pyrilamine) tablets can be taken by children ages 12 years and older. If you have more questions about treatment options for your child's allergy or common cold symptoms, ask your child's pediatrician or a pharmacist.
Don't take any Mucinex products that contain dextromethorphan or other antihistamines together with Capron DM (dextromethorphan / pyrilamine). This is because Capron DM (dextromethorphan / pyrilamine) already has these ingredients in it. Mucinex isn't one single medication, but a branded line of products that makes many types of cough and cold medications, including many combination products. Taking more than the recommended dose of dextromethorphan or taking multiple antihistamines can raise your risk of serious side effects, such as trouble breathing and blurry vision. Ask your pharmacist to help you check for medication interactions before adding on any other cough and cold medications.
Capron DM (dextromethorphan / pyrilamine) isn't known to interact with acetaminophen (Tylenol). But acetaminophen (Tylenol) isn't recommended for everyone, depending on what other health conditions they might have. For example, it's not a good choice for people with liver problems, unless as directed by a healthcare provider. Before you take any pain relievers with Capron DM (dextromethorphan / pyrilamine), speak with your primary care provider or pharmacist to make sure it's safe.
Yes, Capron DM (dextromethorphan / pyrilamine) can expire. Look for the expiration date that's written on the medication box or bottle. Don't take Capron DM (dextromethorphan / pyrilamine) past the written expiration date because it might lead to harm or it might not work well to help treat your cold or allergy symptoms. Bring the bottle to a pharmacy and ask the pharmacist if you're not sure whether it's expired.
Capron DM (dextromethorphan / pyrilamine) isn't the best choice for treating chest congestion, condition where there's a lot of mucus in the chest. Capron DM (dextromethorphan / pyrilamine) contains dextromethorphan, a cough suppressant that blocks your cough reflex to help you stop coughing. But if you have chest congestion that's causing "wet cough," you want to choose a expectorant, such as guaifenesin. Expectorants help thing out the mucus, so you have an easier time coughing it up. Ask your primary care provider (PCP) or pharmacist if you're not sure what kind of medication is best for your cough.
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Risks and warnings for Capron DM (dextromethorphan / pyrilamine)
Capron DM (dextromethorphan / pyrilamine) 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 Capron DM (dextromethorphan / pyrilamine) | Taking other medications that raise serotonin levels in your brain
Serotonin syndrome is a rare but potentially life-threatening condition where there's too much serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is one of the chemicals in your brain responsible for your mood. Your risk for serotonin syndrome goes up if you use Capron DM (dextromethorphan / pyrilamine) with other medications that affect serotonin levels, such as SSRIs, SNRIs, and MAOIs. Make sure your primary care provider knows about all the medications you take before starting Capron DM (dextromethorphan / pyrilamine) and don't start any new medications while taking Capron DM (dextromethorphan / pyrilamine) without letting your pharmacist or primary care provider know. Symptoms of serotonin syndrome include fast heart rate, sweating, muscle stiffness or spasms, fever, and confusion. Seek medical help right away if you have any of these symptoms.
Sleepiness
- Risk factors: Drinking alcohol | Taking other medications that cause sleepiness | Age 65 and older
Capron DM (dextromethorphan / pyrilamine) can make you very sleepy, which can affect your ability to focus, think, or react. This side effect is more likely to happen or be more intense if you're over 65 years old, drink alcohol while you're taking this medication, or take other medications that cause sleepiness (e.g., opioids, benzodiazepines, sleep medications). Don't drive or operate machinery until you know how Capron DM (dextromethorphan / pyrilamine) affects you.
Accidental overdose
Capron DM (dextromethorphan / pyrilamine) contains a cough suppressant (dextromethorphan) and an antihistamine (pyrilamine), which are in many other over-the-counter products. Using more than one medication containing a cough suppressant and antihistamine, including products used on the skin, can lead to an accidental overdose. This can result in serious side effects, including trouble breathing, sleepiness, dizziness, and seizures.
Tell your primary care provider or pharmacist about the medications you take before starting Capron DM (dextromethorphan / pyrilamine) to make sure it's safe for you. Don't start any new medications while taking Capron DM (dextromethorphan / pyrilamine) without talking to your care team. To prevent an accidental overdose, read package labels carefully. If you're not sure if a product has a cough suppressant or an antihistamine, ask your pharmacist. If you or your loved one experiences an accidental overdose, get medical help right away.
Worsening of medical conditions
- Risk factors: Cough from smoking, asthma, or emphysema | Mucus-producing cough | Heart disease | Thyroid problems | High blood sugar (diabetes) | Urinary problems
Don't take Capron DM (dextromethorphan / pyrilamine) if you have any of the risk factors listed above unless your primary care provider said it's safe to do so. Taking Capron DM (dextromethorphan / pyrilamine) can worsen your condition(s) and cause serious side effects. Make sure your primary care provider knows about all medical conditions you have or have had in the past before starting Capron DM (dextromethorphan / pyrilamine).
Capron DM (dextromethorphan / pyrilamine) dosage
Ml of liquid| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7.5mg/7.5mg | 240 ml | $16.78 | $0.07 |
Typical dosage for Capron DM (dextromethorphan / pyrilamine)
-
Capron DM (dextromethorphan / pyrilamine) liquid: Each 5 mL contains 7.5 mg of dextromethorphan and 7.5 mg of pyrilamine.
- People ages 12 years and older: The typical dose is 20 mL by mouth every 6 to 8 hours. Don't take more than 80 mL in a 24-hour period, or as directed by your primary care provider (PCP).
- Children ages 6 years to under 12 years: The typical dose is 10 mL by mouth every 6 to 8 hours. Don't take more than 40 mL in a 24-hour period, or as directed by your child's pediatrician.
- Children under 6 years old: Ask your child's pediatrician.
-
Capron DMT (dextromethorphan / pyrilamine) tablets: Each tablet contains 30 mg of dextromethorphan and 30 mg of pyrilamine.
- People ages 12 years and older: The typical dose is 1 tablet by mouth every 6 to 8 hours.
- Children under 12 years old: Ask your child's pediatrician.
How much does Capron DM (dextromethorphan / pyrilamine) cost?
$16.78
Capron DM (dextromethorphan / pyrilamine) 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 Capron DM (dextromethorphan / pyrilamine) will not be safe for you to take.
- Have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) in the last 14 days
What are alternatives to Capron DM (dextromethorphan / pyrilamine)?
Short-term relief of symptoms from allergies and the common cold: