Reviewed by Younghun Cho
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
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