Westussin DM
Westussin DM is a brand that contains a combination of three medications: dexchlorpheniramine (an antihistamine), dextromethorphan (a cough suppressant), and phenylephrine (a decongestant). It's taken by adults and children to treat allergy and common cold symptoms, like cough, stuffy nose, and watery eyes. Westussin DM is available as an over-the-counter (OTC) liquid solution. The dosage depends on your age, but it's taken by mouth typically every 4 hours as needed. Possible side effects include sleepiness or dizziness.
What is Westussin DM?
What is Westussin DM used for?
Short-term relief of symptoms from allergies and the common cold:
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Itchy nose or throat
- Itchy, watery eyes
- Cough
- Stuffy nose (nasal congestion)
How Westussin DM works
Westussin DM is a combination of three medications that work together to relieve symptoms caused by the common cold and allergies.
- Dexchlorpheniramine is an antihistamine. It blocks histamine, a natural chemical in your body that causes congestion (stuffy nose), watery eyes, and sneezing.
- Dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant. It works in the brain to lower your urge to cough.
- Phenylephrine is a decongestant. It works by narrowing the blood vessels in your nose and sinuses to relieve pressure.
Drug facts
Side effects of Westussin 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
- Sleepiness
- Restlessness
- Dizziness
- Dry mouth
Less Common Side Effects
- Trouble sleeping
- Trouble urinating
Westussin 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
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Pros and cons of Westussin DM
Pros
- Starts to work within 30 minutes to 1 hour
- Conveniently combines three medications in one product
- Available over the counter as a flavored liquid
- Free of sugar, alcohol, dye, and gluten
Cons
- Might need to take multiple times a day
- People over 65 years old more likely to experience with side effects, like dizziness
- Can interact with alcohol
- Brand name only
Pharmacist tips for Westussin DM
- Use a medication dose cup or an oral syringe to measure your dose of Westussin DM. Don't use household spoons because they aren't accurate and might cause you to take the wrong dose.
- The dexchlorpheniramine and dextromethorphan in Westussin DM can make you sleepy or dizzy. This can affect your ability to think or react. Don't drive or do anything that needs a lot of focus until you know how the medication affects you.
- If Westussin DM makes you dizzy or sleepy during the day, try only taking this medication at night. Ask your primary care provider about other ways to treat your symptoms during the day that are less likely to cause sleepiness.
- While Westussin DM usually makes adults sleepy, it's possible for children who use this medication to become overly excited or energetic. If this happens to your child, speak to your child's pediatrician.
- You can use Westussin DM to temporarily relieve cold or allergy symptoms. But let your healthcare team know if your symptoms worsen or last longer than a week. Also tell them if you start to have a fever, rash, or headache. These might be signs that you need more medical attention.
- Stop taking Westussin DM and contact your healthcare team if you experience dizziness, nervousness, or trouble sleeping. These might be side effects from certain ingredients in Westussin DM, such as phenylephrine. Depending on how bothersome these side effects are, your care team might recommend taking a lower dose of Westussin DM or using a different option to relieve your symptoms.
- Read the ingredients label on all the medications you're taking. Many over-the-counter cold and flu medications contain the same ingredients as those in Westussin DM. Taking more than one antihistamine, cough suppressant, or decongestant at the same time can raise the risk of overdose and severe side effects, such as agitation and trouble breathing.
- Don't use Westussin DM if you're currently taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), such as selegiline or phenelzine (Nardil), or have taken one in the last 14 days. Taking this medication with an MAOI can raise your risk for severe side effects (e.g., serotonin syndrome). Ask a pharmacist for other options to relieve your cough, congestion, and allergy symptoms.
Common questions about Westussin DM
The "DM" in Westussin DM stands for dextromethorphan, which is a cough suppressant.
Yes, it's possible to feel sleepy after you take Westussin DM. This medication contains dexchlorpheniramine and dextromethorphan, two ingredients that can cause sleepiness as a side effect. But Westussin DM also contains phenylephrine, which might have the opposite effect and keep you awake. Pay attention to how Westussin DM affects your sleep. Contact your primary care provider to discuss better options for you if the medication is making you too sleepy or making it hard for you to get good rest.
You're recommended to avoid drinking alcohol while taking Westussin DM because doing so can worsen side effects, such as sleepiness and dizziness. If avoiding alcohol isn't possible for you, talk to your primary care provider about safer options.
If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, don't take Westussin DM until you've talked to a healthcare professional first. Westussin DM contains dexchlorpheniramine, dextromethorphan, and phenylephrine. Dexchlorpheniramine and dextromethorphan are generally considered safe to take during pregnancy. But phenylephrine might cause harm to mother and baby during pregnancy. Also, if you're breastfeeding, dexchlorpheniramine might make your nursing baby sleepy or irritable, and phenylephrine might lower your milk supply. Speak with your obstetrician-gynecologist (OB-GYN) if you're pregnant and your baby's primary care provider if you're breastfeeding about the risks and benefits of taking Westussin DM.
Neither acetaminophen (Tylenol) nor ibuprofen (Advil) have any known interactions with the ingredients in Westussin DM. But acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil) might not be good options for people with certain medical conditions, such as those with liver problems and kidney problems. Before taking acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) with Westussin DM, check with your healthcare team to see if this combination is safe and appropriate for you.
If Westussin DM is available at your local pharmacy, you should be able to find it over the counter on the shelves in the pharmacy section. But if you're having trouble finding Westussin DM, ask your pharmacist about other antihistamine / decongestant / antitussive combination medications that might be appropriate alternatives to Westussin DM.
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Risks and warnings for Westussin DM
Westussin 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.
Sleepiness
- Risk factors: Taking Westussin DM with alcohol | Taking other medications that cause drowsiness | 65 years or older
Westussin DM commonly causes drowsiness. This can affect your ability to focus, think, and react. This side effect is more likely to happen or be more intense if you're over 65 years old, drink alcohol while taking this medication, or take other medications that cause drowsiness (e.g., opioids, benzodiazepines, sleep medications). Be careful and avoid activities that require you to be alert, such as driving a car or operating machinery, until you know how this medication affects you.
Serotonin syndrome
- Risk factors: Taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) 14 days before starting Westussin DM | Taking other medications that raise serotonin levels in your brain
The dextromethorphan in Westussin DM 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. 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 or plan to take (including over-the-counter medications and supplements) before starting Westussin DM. Get medical help right away if you have any symptoms of serotonin syndrome, such as fast heart rate, sweating, muscle stiffness or spasms, high fever, and confusion.
Accidentally taking too much
Westussin DM contains an antihistamine (dexchlorpheniramine), cough suppressant (dextromethorphan), and a decongestant (phenylephrine). These ingredients can be found in many other over-the-counter products for allergy, cough, and cold.
The risk of accidentally taking too much medication is higher if you use more than one product containing the same or similar ingredients. Tell your primary care provider or pharmacist about the medications you take before starting Westussin DM. And don't start any new medications without talking to them first. Be sure to carefully read the package labels for the active ingredient list and dosing. Ask your pharmacist if you're not sure whether a product has any similar ingredients and whether it's safe for you.
Early signs that you might've accidentally taken too much medication can include confusion, not being aware of your surroundings, flushed or very warm skin, and vision changes. An overdose can lead to serious side effects, such as anxiety or other behavior changes, high blood pressure, and trouble breathing. Get medical help right away or contact a Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 if you or your loved one accidentally took too much medication.
Worsening of medical conditions
- Risk factors: Heart disease or high blood pressure | Thyroid problems | High blood sugar (diabetes) | Glaucoma | Mucus-producing cough | Breathing problems (e.g., emphysema, long-term bronchitis) | Urinary conditions
Let your primary care provider and pharmacist know about all the medical conditions you have before you start taking Westussin DM. Ask them whether this medication is safe for you to take.
Westussin DM is generally safe to take, but it might not be the best choice for everyone. If you're 65 years or older, you might experience side effects from the medication more intensely. Additionally, if you have a cough that's lasted for a long time; a cough that occurs with smoking, asthma, or emphysema; or a cough with a lot of mucus, this medication might not be right for you. Westussin DM can also worsen heart disease, high blood pressure, thyroid problems, diabetes, glaucoma, urination problems, or breathing problems. If you have any of these medical conditions, ask your primary care provider if Westussin DM is safe for you.
Westussin DM dosage
Bottle of syrup| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 480ml of 1mg/10mg/5mg/5ml | 1 bottle | $24.61 | $24.61 |
Typical dosage for Westussin DM
Each 5 mL of solution contains 1 mg of dexchlorpheniramine, 10 mg of dextromethorphan, and 5 mg of phenylephrine.
- Adults and children 12 years or older: The typical dose is 10 mL by mouth every 4 hours. Don't take more than 6 doses (60 mL) in a 24-hour period.
- Children ages 6 years to under 12 years old: The typical dose is 5 mL by mouth every 4 hours. Don't take more than 6 doses (30 mL) in a 24-hour period.
- Children under 6 years old: Ask your child's pediatrician.
How much does Westussin DM cost?
$24.61
Westussin 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 Westussin 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 Westussin DM?
Short-term relief of symptoms from allergies and the common cold: