MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Dextromethorphan overdose

Skip navigation


Medical Encyclopedia
Other encyclopedia topics:	A-Ag Ah-Ap Aq-Az B-Bk Bl-Bz C-Cg Ch-Co Cp-Cz D-Di Dj-Dz E-Ep Eq-Ez F G H-Hf Hg-Hz I-In Io-Iz J K L-Ln Lo-Lz M-Mf Mg-Mz N O P-Pl Pm-Pz Q R S-Sh Si-Sp Sq-Sz T-Tn To-Tz U V W X Y Z 0-9

Dextromethorphan overdose

Contents of this page:
Definition Poisonous Ingredient Where Found Symptoms Home Treatment	Before Calling Emergency Poison Control, or a local emergency number What to expect at the emergency room Expectations (prognosis)

Definition

Poisoning from an overdose of dextromethorphan.

Poisonous Ingredient

dextromethorphan

Where Found

Robitussin DM
Triaminic DM
Rondec DM
Benylin DM
Drixoral
St. Joseph Cough Suppressant

Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Symptoms

body as a whole
- muscle spasticity
heart and blood vessels
- low blood pressure
respiratory
eyes, ears, nose, and throat
- blurred vision
skin
- bluish colored fingernails and lips
gastrointestinal
- spasms of the stomach and/or intestinal tract
- nausea
heart and blood vessels
- rapid heart beat
- high blood pressure
nervous system
- drowsiness
- dizziness
- hallucinations

Home Treatment

Call Poison Control.

Before Calling Emergency

Determine the following information:

the patient's age, weight, and condition
the name of the product (ingredients and strengths if known)
the time it was swallowed
the amount swallowed

Poison Control, or a local emergency number

They will instruct you if it is necessary to take the patient to the hospital. See Poison Control centers for telephone numbers and addresses. Take the container with you to the emergency room.

What to expect at the emergency room

Some or all of the following procedures may be performed:

Use gastric lavage.
Administer activated charcoal.
Give a counteracting (narcotic antagonist)--multiple doses if needed.
Administer intravenous fluids as needed.
Monitor breathing.
Treat the symptoms.

Expectations (prognosis)

If an antidote can be given, recovery from an acute overdose occurs within 1 to 4 hours.

Update Date: 2/12/2004

Updated by: Cherlin Johnson, M.D., Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2002 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.