Benadryl is a potent first-generation antihistamine that crosses the blood-brain barrier, a protective filter that helps keep harmful substances from reaching the brain. It works on the CNS by slowing it down to block the effects of histamine, a chemical released by the immune system that causes allergy symptoms. However, this depression of the CNS may result in drowsiness, sedation, and lack of how long after taking dextromethorphan can i drink alcohol mental alertness. Taking Benadryl and drinking alcohol, especially in larger amounts, at the same time can have severe outcomes that can be life-threatening. As a central nervous system (CNS) depressant, alcohol can worsen the side effects of Benadryl. When combined with alcohol, sleeping pills can have the same effect as many other meds on this list.

Combining medicines for managing general pain, muscle ache, fever, and inflammation with alcohol can cause stomach upset, bleeding, ulcers in your stomach, and rapid heartbeat. When mixed with alcohol, Excedrin and Tylenol can also cause liver damage. This class of drugs can cause excessive drowsiness and may put you at risk if you’re driving a car or operating machinery—and that’s without alcohol. When you combine these drugs with alcohol, you’re even more at risk of accidents. Learn more about the risks of combining alcohol and medication, including how long to wait to drink after taking certain medications. Perhaps the most alarming acute effect of DXM is the risk of respiratory depression.

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Alcohol can make some medications less effective by interfering with how they are absorbed in the digestive tract. In some cases, alcohol increases the bioavailability of a drug, which can raise the concentration of the medication in your blood to toxic levels. Delsym does not directly affect alcohol metabolism, but it can impact your body’s ability to process and eliminate both substances.

Mixing these medications with alcohol intensifies the side effects and increases the risk of a fatal overdose. Combining alcohol and dextromethorphan, the active ingredient in Delsym, can intensify the effects of alcohol and impair your coordination, making it dangerous to operate machinery or drive. As a cough suppressant, when dextromethorphan is absorbed into the bloodstream, it binds to receptors in the brain called NMDA receptors. These receptors are involved in pain perception, learning, and memory. Dextromethorphan (DXM) inhibits the function of these receptors and prevents them from sending signals to the brain.

At high doses, DXM can produce effects such as euphoria, hallucinations, and a dissociative state. This has led to its misuse, especially among adolescents and young adults seeking recreational effects. Whether you are struggling with addiction, mental health or both, our expert team is here to guide you every step of the way. Don’t wait— reach out today to take the first step toward taking control of your life. There are many dextromethorphan warnings to consider, but the most severe ones have to do with combining DXM and other substances, especially alcohol.

Mental Health Medications That Interact With Alcohol

• It comes in several forms, including syrups, tablets, capsules, lozenges, and powder.
• Because it takes five half-lives for a drug to be removed entirely from your system, DXM may sometimes stay in your body for almost four days.
• Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.
• Other medications and drugs can interact with DXM and alcohol, increasing harmful effects on the body.

Clearly, mixing DXM and alcohol comes with a host of risks, most of them serious. Misusing either substance alone can be dangerous enough, but taking them together amplifies this risk and reinforces addictive behaviors. Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. Lastly, even those who take DXM as directed are at risk when mixing it with alcohol. Because alcohol is an immunosuppressant, drinking when unwell can prolong and worsen your illness, keeping you sick for longer. Unfortunately, many people combine DXM with other substances, increasing the risk of severe side effects, which can be deadly in some cases.

Any sort of substance misuse has serious implications for our health, and dextromethorphan is no different. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. While less common, the most serious side effects of dextromethorphan are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

The management may involve aggressive monitoring and intervention to stabilize the patient’s condition. For those struggling with misuse or addiction, seeking professional treatment from facilities like The Recovery Village can provide the necessary support for recovery. In extreme cases, the synergy between DXM and alcohol can result in brain lesions, memory loss, cognitive impairment, emotional and behavioral changes, seizures, and even epilepsy. The risk of respiratory suppression can escalate to unconsciousness, coma, and potentially fatal outcomes. While typically safe on its own (when taken as indicated), DXM can interact with other drugs and medications, such as alcohol. It is also important to recognize that DXM presents some abuse risks.

Over-the-Counter Pain Medications

The maximum daily recommended dose of DXM is 120 milligrams (mg) taken in divided doses. It’s important that you don’t mix alcohol with any of the following medications. Dextromethorphan can be psychologically addictive when misused at high doses for its hallucinogenic effects, so it is important to use this medication responsibly. If you have accidentally consumed alcohol after taking dextromethorphan, monitor yourself for any adverse effects and seek medical attention if needed. Join 40,000+ People Who Receive Our Newsletter Get valuable resources on addiction, recovery, wellness, and our treatments delivered directly to your inbox. If you are struggling with an addiction to alcohol and dextromethorphan, seeking professional help is the best option.

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Teens often misuse DXM, mistakenly thinking it’s safer because it’s OTC. Side effects of DXM and alcohol can last for several days, depending on the person and the drug mix. But binge drinking, which means having too many drinks in one sitting, can harm your body in many ways. Immediate reactions can include problems with balance, movement, and judgment. A 2018 report found 1 in 30 teens misuse DXM, and 6 in 10 teens misuse alcohol. If you mix any type of anti-nausea drug with alcohol, the side effects of the medication can become more intense.

What are the potential risks of drinking alcohol with Delsym?

Taking more than the recommended dosage of dextromethorphan can lead to harmful effects. Do not take more dextromethorphan than recommended on the product label. The following lists contain some of the key side effects that may occur while taking dextromethorphan. Always check the label or consult with a healthcare professional regarding the specific cough medication you are taking as different formulations may have different interactions with alcohol. If alcohol consumption is imminent, it is best to explore alternative methods for managing cough symptoms, such as using honey, herbal teas, or other natural remedies. DXM also affects serotonin — a complex neurochemical best known for its role in mood and cognition.

While it typically gets better after stopping taking the medications, there has been concern that alcohol (which is metabolized by the liver) could potentially make liver inflammation worse. Stimulants and sedatives (such as alcohol) mask each other’s effects. So, mixing the two together increases the likelihood of overdose on either substance. If you lie about the amount of alcohol you consume on a regular basis, your doctor can’t accurately judge the risks and benefits of prescribing a particular medication.

When Can You Drink Alcohol After Taking Medication?

Some users who combine these two feel nauseous and experience vomiting as well. Unlike abuse of a single substance, when alcohol and DXM are combined, the effects can last up to several days before improving. Another common side effect of medicines containing this ingredient is drowsiness. But those who need cough and cold remedies often feel poorly and feeling sleepy can be a positive side effect when coughing or congestion keeps them from sleeping soundly. Along with sleepiness, those who use OTC or prescription medicines with this ingredient also may have impaired judgment or lessened mental alertness. So medical professionals encourage users to limit activities that require participation in any decision-making activities while the compound is active.

Risks of Mixing Dextromethorphan and Alcohol

But when DXM is combined with another strong substance like alcohol, users put themselves at great risk for harm. So what is dextromethorphan, and how does combining alcohol and Robitussin affect those with substance abuse issues? Let’s look at what you need to know if you or someone you love is using alcohol and DXM.Many people use cough remedies containing dextromethorphan, also called DXM, for quick cough relief.

This floating feeling can last up to six hours or more and chronic users can have heightened effects, especially when combined with other substances like alcohol. To disguise the taste, users often mix cough syrup with soda or candy, making it difficult to detect medicine misuse. Yes, it is important to follow the recommended guidelines and precautions when considering alcohol consumption after taking dextromethorphan. These include waiting at least 24 hours, avoiding excessive alcohol intake, and being aware of the potential interactions and side effects.