Can Dextromethorphan Be Taken For Cough While Having Post Concussion Syndrome?

Posted on Fri, 4 Sep 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 4 Sep 2015 Answered on

Thu, 24 Sep 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : I have post concussion syndrome and I'd like to know if I can take Dextromethorphan for a cough I have. Could there be any side effects that would make the concussion worse?

Answered by Dr. Ajay Panwar (15 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
No specific contraindication.

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for being on healthcaremagic.com.
I am Dr.Ajay Panwar,a neurologist,here to answer your query.

There is no specific contraindication of Dextromethorpan post concussion.It does not have a significant on intracranial pressure.
However,it may cause some drowsiness.
To summarise,it may be taken in safe doses.

If you have any further questions,I shall be glad to have you in follow-up.

Regards
Dr.Ajay Panwar,
MD,DM(Neurology)

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

Follow up: Dr. Ajay Panwar (14 minutes later)

Thank you for responding so quickly. The reason I had asked was because I had read that Pseudo ephedrine was not good to take when you have a concussion since it can increase symptoms. I don't need to worry about increased symptoms?

Answered by Dr. Ajay Panwar (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Pseudoephedrine can cause intracranial haemorrhage.

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for being in follow-up.

Yes,Pseudoephedrine is a sympathomimetic drug which cause high blood pressure.This hypertensive effect is occasionally reported to have caused brain haemorrhage.
However,no such data exists with Dextromethorphan.

Hope that I have answered your query.If you have some further questions,I shall be glad to answer else please close the thread,rate it and write a review as your rating will be of help to me.

Regards
Dr.Ajay Panwar,
MD,DM(Neurology)

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