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Can Robitussin And Fluoxetine Be Taken Together While Having Cold And Cough?
Question: Hi, I am coughing alot due to a cold. I got Robitussin for it and it seems te help. Except, I am also on fluoxetine and I am reading that these 2 together can cause a serotonin syndrome something. Would it perhaps be advisable to stop the intake of fluxetine temporarily as to manage the cough using Robitussin?
Brief Answer:
May consider other options first
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Robitussin is that trade name for the medication, dextromethorphan. It is a cough suppressant but as you correctly stated, it interacts with the fluoxetine to cause an increase in serotonin levels so the two cannot be used together.
Before considering stopping the fluoxetine, you may want to consider treating the cough another way first.
Coughing can sometimes be due to mucus reaching the airways and irritating them, using a decongestant (even if there is no nasal congestion because it reduces mucus in the airways) and mucolytic (to break up mucus, if present) eg mucinex d.
Using lozenges or tea or rubs with menthol may also help as well.
If the coughing is worse at night, keeping warm and elevating your head and chest , would also be effective.
In some persons the persistent coughing is due to bronchitis which may require additional treatment.
If there is no improvement then you can consider stopping the fluoxetine but only after discussion with your doctor.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
May consider other options first
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Robitussin is that trade name for the medication, dextromethorphan. It is a cough suppressant but as you correctly stated, it interacts with the fluoxetine to cause an increase in serotonin levels so the two cannot be used together.
Before considering stopping the fluoxetine, you may want to consider treating the cough another way first.
Coughing can sometimes be due to mucus reaching the airways and irritating them, using a decongestant (even if there is no nasal congestion because it reduces mucus in the airways) and mucolytic (to break up mucus, if present) eg mucinex d.
Using lozenges or tea or rubs with menthol may also help as well.
If the coughing is worse at night, keeping warm and elevating your head and chest , would also be effective.
In some persons the persistent coughing is due to bronchitis which may require additional treatment.
If there is no improvement then you can consider stopping the fluoxetine but only after discussion with your doctor.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for the extensive answer. Contacting a doctor where I am currently is a very exhausting process that will cost me a whole day. If nothing else helps and I were to stop the fluoxetine temporarily... how long would it take after stopping for there to be no interaction between the fluoxetine and the robitussin?
Brief Answer:
It takes 4 days for the amount to decrease by half if using it for a long
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
The half life of a medication is the time it takes for the amount of medication in your body to decrease by half. It takes 3 to 5 half lives for a medication to be mostly eliminated.
Half life of fluoxetine is 4 to 6 days for persons who have been using it consistently, 1 to 3 days , if recently started.
This unfortunately means that it would take at least 4 days for the medication in your system to decrease by half,(unless you recently started it), though the amount would still be decreasing over the four day period.
It would still be safer to use when the amount in your body is lower by at least 1/2.
It takes 4 days for the amount to decrease by half if using it for a long
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
The half life of a medication is the time it takes for the amount of medication in your body to decrease by half. It takes 3 to 5 half lives for a medication to be mostly eliminated.
Half life of fluoxetine is 4 to 6 days for persons who have been using it consistently, 1 to 3 days , if recently started.
This unfortunately means that it would take at least 4 days for the medication in your system to decrease by half,(unless you recently started it), though the amount would still be decreasing over the four day period.
It would still be safer to use when the amount in your body is lower by at least 1/2.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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