Suggest Treatment For Gastric Pain After Taking Dextromethorphan

Posted on Tue, 9 May 2017

Question: My son has just taken dextromethorphan for the first time and seemed to have suffer a gastrointestinal pain some time near the taking of the medication. Coincidence. It also appears that he took it on an empty stomach. Should he see his physician???? should he end taking the medication and seek a different medication?

Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (42 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Information

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,

Dextromethorphan can cause stomach upset in some people. It is not a common side effect, but it can happen, and any medication can cause stomach irritation if taken on an empty stomach.

I recommmend discontinuing it. If he is taking it for a cough, there are other alternatives, such as guaifenesin with codeine (which requires a prescription). He should take this after having something in his stomach.

If he is in a great deal of pain, yes, he should go in to be seen. It is hard to know where the pain is located without more details or an exam. If the pain is subsiding and is in his left or mid upper abdomen, then taking Mylanta or Zantac might help and in a little time the pain will resolve. But if the pain is in the lower right abdomen, I would not want to delay his getting seen in person.

I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar