dextromethorphan / menthol
Robitussin Medi-Soothers (dextromethorphan / menthol) is a combination medication that's used to relieve cough and mouth and throat pain for people 12 years and older. These lozenges contain a cough suppressant (dextromethorphan) and a pain reliever (menthol). The lozenges are typically dissolved slowly in the mouth every 4 hours as needed. Side effects aren't common but can include sleepiness and dizziness.
What is Robitussin Medi-Soothers (dextromethorphan / menthol)?
What is Robitussin Medi-Soothers (dextromethorphan / menthol) used for?
Short-term relief of:
- Minor irritation in the mouth
- Sore throat or mouth
- Cough
How Robitussin Medi-Soothers (dextromethorphan / menthol) works
Robitussin Medi-Soothers (dextromethorphan / menthol) is a combination of two medications.
- Dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant. It works in the brain to lower your urge to cough.
- Menthol is a pain reliever (analgesic). It's a chemical that's found in mint plants like peppermint. Menthol works by causing a cooling sensation and makes the nerves in your mouth and throat less sensitive to pain.
Drug facts
Side effects of Robitussin Medi-Soothers (dextromethorphan / menthol)
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
- Side effects aren't common. See Other Side Effects.
Less Common Side Effects
- Sleepiness
- Dizziness
- Stomach upset
Robitussin Medi-Soothers (dextromethorphan / menthol) 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
Pros and cons of Robitussin Medi-Soothers (dextromethorphan / menthol)
Pros
- Works well to treat mouth and throat pain and cough
- Available over the counter
- Easy to take with you wherever you go
Cons
- Might need to take as often as every 4 hours to relieve symptoms
- Might not be sugar free
- Typically can't be used by young children under 12 years old
Pharmacist tips for Robitussin Medi-Soothers (dextromethorphan / menthol)
- Place the lozenge in your mouth and let it melt slowly. As it melts, the medication will coat your mouth and throat to provide pain relief there. Don't chew on the lozenges.
- If you need to take two Robitussin Medi-Soothers (dextromethorphan / menthol) lozenges each time, take one lozenge after the other. Don't place two lozenges into the mouth at the same time because this raises your risk of choking.
- Robitussin Medi-Soothers (dextromethorphan / menthol) is only meant to relieve cough from minor throat or lung irritation caused by conditions like the common cold. Speak with your primary care provider first if you have a cough that lasts more than a week, a cough that's related to a breathing problem (e.g., asthma, emphysema), or a cough with a lot of mucus. You might need other treatment.
- Stop taking Robitussin Medi-Soothers (dextromethorphan / menthol) and contact your primary care provider if your symptoms don't get better after a week or if they worsen. Also stop taking this product and speak to a healthcare professional if your cough comes back or occurs with a fever, rash, or headache. These might be signs of a more serious lung problem, such as bronchitis or pneumonia.
- Speak to your primary care provider if your sore throat pain lasts for more than 2 days or if the pain is severe. Also speak with your primary care provider if you have a sore throat along with fever, headache, rash, swelling, nausea, or vomiting. These could be signs of a throat infection, like strep throat or tonsillitis, and you might need to take antibiotics to treat it.
- Avoid drinking alcohol while you're taking Robitussin Medi-Soothers (dextromethorphan / menthol). Alcohol might worsen possible side effects, like stomach upset, dizziness, and sleepiness.
- Tell your care team about all the medications you're taking, especially if you're taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), which are a type of medication that's sometimes used for mood or Parkinson's disease. You shouldn't take Robitussin Medi-Soothers (dextromethorphan / menthol) at the same time as MAOIs or within 2 weeks of stopping the MAOI because of the risk for serotonin syndrome.
- Carefully read package labels if you're taking Robitussin Medi-Soothers (dextromethorphan / menthol) along with other cough, cold, or allergy medications. Make sure you're not accidentally taking something else with dextromethorphan in it to avoid taking too much medication. Ask your pharmacist if you're not sure whether a product contains dextromethorphan.
Common questions about Robitussin Medi-Soothers (dextromethorphan / menthol)
The typical dose for adults and children ages 12 years and older is 2 Robitussin Medi-Soothers (dextromethorphan / menthol) lozenges dissolved in the mouth every 4 hours as needed for sore throat, mouth pain, and cough. You can take up to 12 lozenges within a 24-hour period. Any amount that's more than 2 lozenges at one time and more than 12 lozenges per day is too many, unless a healthcare professional (HCP) specifically instructs you to take more than what the manufacturer recommends. Ask an HCP about your options if taking Robitussin Medi-Soothers (dextromethorphan / menthol) as recommended doesn't seem to be enough to relieve your symptoms.
Taking too many Robitussin Medi-Soothers (dextromethorphan / menthol) lozenges can cause serious and life-threatening side effects. Too much dextromethorphan can cause dangerous side effects like serotonin syndrome, slow breathing, and seizures. Don't take more than 2 lozenges at a time and don't take more than 12 lozenges within a 24-hour period. Talk to your primary care provider for other recommendations if taking Robitussin Medi-Soothers (dextromethorphan / menthol) isn't enough to relieve your symptoms.
Although side effects generally aren't common, it's possible for Robitussin Medi-Soothers (dextromethorphan / menthol) to make you sleepy. Robitussin Medi-Soother lozenges contain dextromethorphan, which can sometimes cause sleepiness as a side effect. Your risk for this side effect is higher if you take other medications that make you sleepy or if you drink alcohol. Don't drive or do anything requiring your full attention until you know how the Robitussin Medi-Soothers (dextromethorphan / menthol) lozenges affect you. Contact your primary care provider or pharmacist to discuss other options if Robitussin Medi-Soothers (dextromethorphan / menthol) is making you too sleepy for you to go about your day.
Don't take Robitussin Medi-Soothers (dextromethorphan / menthol) until you've talked to your obstetrician-gynecologist (OB-GYN) first if you're pregnant. Studies show that dextromethorphan is generally safe in pregnancy. But it's not completely clear how safe menthol during pregnancy is because it hasn't been studied well. Discuss with your OB-GYN about the risks and benefits of taking Robitussin Medi-Soothers (dextromethorphan / menthol) lozenges during pregnancy. You can also consider other non-medication remedies, such as gargling with salt water and drinking warm liquids.
No, neither dextromethorphan nor menthol (the ingredients in these lozenges) typically raise blood pressure. But your blood pressure can go up if you accidentally take too much dextromethorphan. Let your primary care provider know if you regularly measure your blood pressure at home and you notice it's going up after you've started taking Robitussin Medi-Soothers (dextromethorphan / menthol).
Robitussin Medi-Soothers (dextromethorphan / menthol) contains dextromethorphan. Dextromethorphan is a medication that has potential to be misused and to become habit-forming. When it's taken in large amounts, dextromethorphan can cause a "high" feeling. But large amounts of dextromethorphan can also cause serious and life-threatening side effects, such as seizures, heart rhythm problems, and panic. Because teens are at highest risk of misusing dextromethorphan and its serious side effects, some states might require you to be at least 18 years old to purchase medications containing dextromethorphan, like Robitussin Medi-Soothers (dextromethorphan / menthol). Ask a healthcare professional if you're concerned about taking Robitussin Medi-Soothers (dextromethorphan / menthol).
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Risks and warnings for Robitussin Medi-Soothers (dextromethorphan / menthol)
Robitussin Medi-Soothers (dextromethorphan / menthol) 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 (MAOIs) 14 days before taking Robitussin Medi-Soothers (dextromethorphan / menthol) | Taking other medications that raise serotonin levels in your brain
The dextromethorphan in Robitussin Medi-Soothers (dextromethorphan / menthol) can raise your risk for serotonin syndrome. This is a rare, but potentially life-threatening side effect that happens when there's too much serotonin in the brain. Get medical help right away if you have any symptoms of serotonin syndrome, including fast heart rate, sweating, muscle stiffness or spasms, high fever, and confusion.
Your risk for serotonin syndrome 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 or plan to take. This include prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, and supplements. Your care team can make sure Robitussin Medi-Soothers (dextromethorphan / menthol) is safe to take with your other medications.
Accidentally taking too much
Robitussin Medi-Soothers (dextromethorphan / menthol) contains ingredients that can be found in many other over-the-counter cough and cold products. Using more than one product containing dextromethorphan can raise your risk of taking too much medication. This can lead to serious side effects, such as high blood pressure, heart rhythm problems, hallucinations (seeing things that aren't real), and even seizures and loss of consciousness.
To avoid accidentally taking too much, read package labels carefully. Ask your pharmacist if you're not sure whether a product has any similar ingredients as Robitussin Medi-Soothers (dextromethorphan / menthol). Get medical help as soon as possible or contact a poison control center at 1-800-222-1222 if you think you or your child has accidentally taken too much medication.
Robitussin Medi-Soothers (dextromethorphan / menthol) dosage
Typical dosage for Robitussin Medi-Soothers (dextromethorphan / menthol)
Each lozenge contains 5 mg of dextromethorphan and 5 mg of menthol.
- Adults and children 12 years and older: The typical dose is 2 lozenges (one after the other) dissolved in the mouth every 4 hours as needed. Don't use more than 12 lozenges in a 24-hour period.
- Children under 12 years old: Don't use. Ask your child's pediatrician for other options.
Robitussin Medi-Soothers (dextromethorphan / menthol) 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 Robitussin Medi-Soothers (dextromethorphan / menthol) will not be safe for you to take.
- Currently take or have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) in the last 2 weeks
