You Can Take Delsym And Sudafed Together?

In our latest question and answer, the pharmacist discusses whether or not Delsym and Sudafed can be taken together.

Question

Can you take Delsym (Dextromethorphan) and Sudafed (Pseudoephedrine) together? What about Sudafed PE?

Asked by Canadiangurl On Oct 12, 2022

Answered by
Medical Content Reviewed By HelloPharmacist Staff

Published Oct 12, 2022
Last updated Apr 19, 2024

Key points

  • There is no drug interaction between Sudafed (pseudoephedrine) and Delsym (dextromethorphan). They are considered safe to take together and can be found in combination together in some over-the-counter products.
  • Delsym is also safe to take with Sudafed PE (phenylephrine). Both drugs are contained in several over-the-counter products, including DayQuil.

Answer

There is no documented interaction between Delsym (Dextromethorphan) and Sudafed (Pseudoephedrine) and they are perfectly fine to take together in most situations. In fact, these two drugs come in combination in a multitude of OTC products so it is very likely that you can find a single product that puts the two together without having to purchase two separate products.

Additionally, it is worth pointing out that Delsym is also safe to take with Sudafed PE (phenylephrine) products

Considerations

When planning to take OTC medications for symptomatic relief, remember that it is important to know of any contraindications or precautions that must be taken before self-medicating.

In regards to Sudafed (Pseudoephedrine), it is important to let your doctor know you want to take it if you have elevated blood pressure, or cardiac problems or are on a variety of drugs that could cause an interaction (e.g. MAOI antidepressants).

If any of these apply to you, you still may be able to take the drug but your doctor might offer alternative suggestions such as saline nasal sprays or steroid nasal sprays.

For Delsym (Dextromethorphan), it is fine to take in most situations but can interact with certain medications, including antidepressants.​​ There unfortunately aren't many alternatives to dextromethorphan for cough suppression besides cough drops, herbal teams, and other more natural remedies.

It is always important to read the ingredients and directions of the product you are purchasing as many over-the-counter cough/cold medications contain several ingredients, and you want to be sure you are not getting too much of any one drug.

Final Words

Thanks for your question and reach back out anytime!

References

  • Pseudoephedrine Monograph, PubChem
  • Phenylephrine Monograph, PubChem
  • Dextromethorphan Monograph, PubChem

About the Pharmacist

Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD

Dr. Brian has been practicing pharmacy for over 13 years and has wide-ranging experiences in many different areas of the profession. From retail, clinical, program development, and administrative responsibilities, he's your knowledgeable and go-to source for all your pharmacy and medication-related questions! Dr. Brian Staiger also has herbalist training and educational certificates in the field of medical ethnobotany. Feel free to send him an email at [email protected]! You can also connect with Dr. Brian Staiger on LinkedIn.

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