Delsym: Difference between revisions

{{refimprove|date=February 2015}}

{{notability|date=October 2022}}

'''Delsym''' is an American brand of [[cough medicine]] owned by [[Reckitt]], and manufactured at Unither Manufacturing in [[Rochester, NY]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.outsourcing-pharma.com/Contract-Manufacturing/Unither-Acquires-UCB-Manufacturing-Packaging-Plant-in-New-York|title = Unither Acquires UCB Manufacturing, Packaging Plant in New York}}</ref> It is different from most brands of cough medicine in that the active ingredient is "[[slow-release|time released]]". The time release feature allows the drug to suppress the cough reflex for a longer period of time. The active ingredient per teaspoon (5 [[milliliter|mL]]) is [[dextromethorphan]] polistirex, equivalent to dextromethorphan HBr 30&nbsp;mg.

==Method of action==

The active ingredient, [[dextromethorphan]] (metabolized to [[dextrorphan]]), is surrounded by an edible plastic called '''polistirex'''. When the Delsym arrives in the stomach, an initial amount of dextromethorphan is immediately released into the bloodstream while the rest is surrounded by a plastic that is slowly dissolved by [[stomach acid]]. After the polistirex is dissolved sufficiently, more dextromethorphan is released.

==Recreational use==

{{main article|Recreational use of dextromethorphan}}

Intentionally consuming more than the recommended dosage of Delsym may result in euphoria, lack of coordination, hallucinations, apathy, feelings of dissociation, and disorientation. This is due to dextromethorphan as well as its pharmacologically-active metabolite [[dextrorphan]], both [[dissociative anesthetic|dissociative drugs]] that work as [[NMDA receptor antagonist]]s the same way [[nitrous oxide]] (N₂O), [[ketamine]], and [[phencyclidine]] (PCP) do. Because of the abuse potential, many pharmacies and large retail chains have begun taking precautions such as restricting sales to those under age 18 and limiting the number of sales of dextromethorphan-containing products per customer.

==References==

{{Reflist}}

==External links==

*{{Official website}}

{{Reckitt Benckiser}}

[[Category:Antitussives]]

[[Category:Products introduced in 1986]]

[[Category:Reckitt brands]]