Reviewed by Dr. Younghun Cho
78/100
Good
Reviewed by Dr. Younghun Cho, PharmD
Delsym 12 Hour is an effective, convenient, and well-established cough suppressant, but its potential for significant drug interactions, side effects, and abuse prevents a higher score.
Pharmacist's Verdict
Delsym 12 Hour is a good choice for adults and children over 4 who need long-lasting relief from persistent dry coughs due to colds or flu. It effectively quiets coughs for up to 12 hours, offering convenient dosing.
Ingredient Analysis
Dextromethorphan Polistirex
Details pending pharmacist review.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Provides long-lasting cough relief for up to 12 hours, meaning fewer doses are needed.
- Dextromethorphan is an effective and FDA-approved ingredient for suppressing coughs.
- Available without a prescription, making it easily accessible for temporary cough relief.
- Generally less sedating than some older cough remedies, though drowsiness can still occur.
Cons
- Can cause side effects like drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, and stomach upset.
- Has serious drug interactions with certain antidepressant medications (MAOIs, SSRIs), potentially leading to dangerous conditions like serotonin syndrome.
- The active ingredient, dextromethorphan, can be abused at very high doses for its mind-altering effects.
- Only treats the symptom of coughing; it does not address the underlying cause of your cold or flu.
- The extended-release formula might take a bit longer to start working compared to immediate-release cough medicines.
References
- 1.FDA Drug Label — foster and thrive 12 hour cough relief
FDA DailyMed: foster and thrive 12 hour cough relief · FDA
- 2.
- 3.Clinical pharmacokinetics of tegaserod, a serotonin 5-HT(4) receptor partial agonist with promotile activity.
Appel-Dingemanse S, Clinical pharmacokinetics, 2002 · PubMed