Dextromethorphan (Robitussin DM) – Flashcards

Cough suppressant

- Drug for increasing cough threshold - Non-opioid antitussive

Benzonatate

Pregnancy Category C

- Cough suppression in allergy and cold - Can reduce pain when combined with an opioid

Suppress cough through its action on the CNS to raise the cough threshold

PO

- Treatment of chronic cough due to excessive bronchial secretion such as in asthma, smoking, and emphysema - Pregnancy

- Dizziness, drowsiness - Nausea, Vomit, Stomach pain - Hallucination - Slurred speech - Euphoria - Ataxia - Hyperexcitability - Stupor - Respiratory Depression - Seizure - Coma - CNS Depression

- MAOIs - *Hypertensive crisis, hypotension, hypopyrexia, CNS excitation* - Alcohol, opioids, and other CNS depressants - *Increased risk of sedation* - Grape fruit juice - *Increased drug levels*

Naloxone (Narcan) if sedation/respiratory depression occurs

- Cough syrups should be swalled without water and allowed to coat the throat for soothing effects, followed by increased fluid intake 30 to 60 minutes later - Do not use in children younger than 2 *- Do not chew Benzonatate because it can cause the side effect of numbing of the mouth and pharynx* - Monitor for dizziness and drowsiness - Asess respiratory status - Monitor for adverse effects - Instruct patient to ask for assistance when getting up - Notify HCP if cough persists - Do not drink alcohol - Teach patient to supplement drug therapy with nonpharmacologic measures such as increased fluid intake to liquify and assist to mobilize mucus and moisten respiratory tract - Monitor for dry cough, increasing cough severity, increasing congestion, or dyspnea - Instruct patient to report promptly any change in the severity of the frequency of cough - Assess and instruct patient to report color and consistency of sputum