{"id":238,"date":"2019-11-12T17:49:33","date_gmt":"2019-11-12T22:49:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/nursingpharmacology\/chapter\/5-8-antitussives\/"},"modified":"2022-12-13T15:11:19","modified_gmt":"2022-12-13T20:11:19","slug":"5-8-antitussives","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/nursingpharmacology\/chapter\/5-8-antitussives\/","title":{"raw":"5.8 Antitussives","rendered":"5.8 Antitussives"},"content":{"raw":"

Antitussives<\/h1>\r\nAntitussives are frequently used to prevent cold and flu symptoms. In this chapter, we will review one commonly used specific antitussive called Dextromethorphan.\r\n\r\nDextromethorphan is an example of an antitussive (see Figure 5.8[footnote]\"Robitussin Cough Cold Flu Congestion decongestant Relief Medicine<\/a>\" by Mike Mozart<\/a> is licensed under CC BY 2.0<\/a>[\/footnote]).\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_236\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"400\"]\"\" Figure 5.8: Robitussin Cough Cold Flu Congestion decongestant Relief Medicine[\/caption]\r\n

Mechanism of Action<\/h2>\r\nDextromethorphan suppresses a cough by depressing the cough center in the medulla oblongata or the cough receptors in the throat, trachea, or lungs, effectively elevating the threshold for coughing.\r\n

Indication for Use<\/h2>\r\nAntitussives are used for a dry, hacking, nonproductive cough that interferes with rest and sleep.\r\n

Nursing Considerations Across the Lifespan<\/h2>\r\nThis medication is not safe for children under the age of 4 years.\r\n

Adverse\/Side Effects<\/h2>\r\nThe most common side effects include nausea and drowsiness. Some clients may experience a rash or difficulty breathing. High doses may cause hallucinations and disassociation, and the drug has been reported to be used as a recreational drug.[footnote]Frandsen, G. & Pennington, S. (2018). Abrams\u2019 clinical drug: Rationales for nursing practice <\/em>(11th ed.). Wolters Kluwer.[\/footnote]\r\n

Client Teaching & Education<\/h2>\r\nClients should take care to avoid irritants that stimulate their cough.\u00a0 Additionally, antitussive medications can cause drowsiness, and clients should avoid taking them with other CNS depressants or alcohol.[footnote]uCentral from Unbound Medicine. https:\/\/www.unboundmedicine.com\/ucentral<\/a>[\/footnote]\r\n

Dextromethorphan Medication Card<\/h1>\r\nNow let's take a closer look at the medication card on dextromethorphan.[footnote]This work is a derivative of\u00a0Pharmacology Notes: Nursing Implications for Clinical Practice<\/a>\u00a0by\u00a0Gloria Velarde<\/a>\u00a0licensed under\u00a0CC BY-NC-SA 4.0<\/a>.[\/footnote], [footnote]Frandsen, G. & Pennington, S. (2018).\u00a0Abrams\u2019 clinical drug: Rationales for nursing practice\u00a0<\/em>(11th ed.). Wolters Kluwer.[\/footnote], [footnote]This work is a derivative of\u00a0Daily Med<\/a>\u00a0by\u00a0U.S. National Library of Medicine<\/a>\u00a0in the public domain<\/a>. [\/footnote]<\/span>\r\n
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Medication Card 5.8.1: Dextromethorphan<\/h2>\r\n<\/header>\r\n
\r\n\r\nClass:<\/strong> Antitussives\r\n\r\nPrototypes:<\/strong> Dextromethorphan (Robitussin DM)\r\n\r\nMechanism: <\/strong>Suppresses a cough by depressing the cough center in the medulla oblongata or the cough receptors in the throat, trachea, or lungs that effectively elevate the threshold for coughing\r\n

Therapeutic Effects<\/h3>\r\n