Public Question: Can Dexcophan be taken if there is a pregnancy plan?

"Dexchophan" is a brand name for Dextromethorphan HBr 15mg/tab manufactured by company Hovid. Chemical name is 3-methoxy-17-methyl-9(alpha), 13(alpha), 14(alpha)-morphinan hydrobromide monohydrate. It is a derivative of narcotic analgesic and can be used as a cough suppressant.
After the drug is consumed by the mother, it will undergo metabolism through o-demethylation to dextrophan. Ability and the rate of metabolism is determined genetically. If the individuals is a slow metabolizer, then the drug may stay much longer in the blood.

This may pose some risk as the molecular weight of dextromethorphan is about 271 and this makes it small enough to transfer across to the fetus. The slower the mother's liver metabolize the drug, the longer the drug will stay in the mother's blood and it can cross over to the fetus more.

Studies that lead to the conclusion of dextromethorphan safety in pregnancy
1)The Collaborative Perinatal Project do not support a relationship between the drug and congenital malformations.

2)Case report in 1981: A women taking cough syrup with potential daily doses of 1.68g of dextromethorphan, 16.8g of guafenesin, 5.0g of pseudoephedrin, and 79.8ml of ethanol throughout pregnancy. The newborn infant had facial features of fetal alcohol syndrome.

Fetal alcohol syndromeOther defects were umbilical hernia and labia that appeared hypoplastic. No conclusion on whether is it dextromethorphan or the other causes like alcohol?

3)Surveillance study in 1985. In 59 mothers who used dextromethorphan, only 1 give birth to an infant with major anomaly. Conclusion no strong association.

4)Spanish Collaborative Study of Congenital Malformations concluded that the use of the drug in first trimester is not associated with an increase in congenital defects.

5)Rodent (using rats and rabbits) studies: No evidence of teratogenicity despite the use of doses higher than that used clinically.

6)Chick Embryo study: Teratogenic but the study model is poor.

Ask the pharmacist!
1)Based on the available human data, dextromethorphan do not demonstrate a major teratogenic risk if used at the usual dose 15-30mg three times a day.
Pregnancy Category: C= Should only be used if the benefit justifies the potential risk.

2)We can assume it is safe for consumption in pregnancy. But if the use of liquid preparations of dextromethorphan contain ethanol, should be avoided becoz ethanol is known teratogen. If you love your baby, dont drink!

3)For more information, pls refer back to my previous post : Medication in pregnancy

4)This conclusion is only justified for the moment this post was made, pls refer to your doctor or pharmacist for latest informations.

5)Can Dexcophan be taken if there is a pregnancy plan?
Answer: Why do u want to take at the first place? Does the benefit of taking it justify the potential risk? You can determine for yourself.