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Can Dextromethorphan Be Taken During Pregnancy?

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Posted on Wed, 25 Mar 2015
Twitter Wed, 25 Mar 2015 Answered on
Twitter Wed, 15 Apr 2015 Last reviewed on
Question : Can a 5 month pregnant woman take dextrametorphan? baby due July 18
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Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (5 hours later)
Brief Answer:
You'd rather not

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

dextromethorphan belongs to category C regarding pregnancy risk, which means that animal studies have shown adverse effects on the fetus but there are no adequate studies in humans. Category C drugs can be used when the estimated benefit outweighs the potential risks.

I would advise against its use unless you're really suffering from dry cough, that can't be managed otherwise. If you can sleep at night (you don't cough all night) then I would suggest avoiding it.

Contact me again, if you'd like to ask for more details.

Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :1999

Answered : 3815 Questions

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Can Dextromethorphan Be Taken During Pregnancy?

Brief Answer: You'd rather not Detailed Answer: Hello, dextromethorphan belongs to category C regarding pregnancy risk, which means that animal studies have shown adverse effects on the fetus but there are no adequate studies in humans. Category C drugs can be used when the estimated benefit outweighs the potential risks. I would advise against its use unless you're really suffering from dry cough, that can't be managed otherwise. If you can sleep at night (you don't cough all night) then I would suggest avoiding it. Contact me again, if you'd like to ask for more details. Kind Regards!