It is in the morphinan class of medications with sedative, dissociative, and stimulant properties (at lower doses). Dextromethorphan does not have a significant affinity for the mu-opioid receptor activity typical of morphinan compounds and exerts its therapeutic effects through several other receptors.[8] In its pure form, dextromethorphan occurs as a white powder.[9]
It was patented in 1949 and approved for medical use in 1953.[13] In 2022, the combination with promethazine was the 260th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 1million prescriptions.[14][15] In 2022, the combination with brompheniramine and pseudoephedrine was the 265th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 1million prescriptions.[14][16]
^Kukanich B, Papich MG (October 2004). "Plasma profile and pharmacokinetics of dextromethorphan after intravenous and oral administration in healthy dogs". Journal of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics. 27 (5): 337–341. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2885.2004.00608.x. PMID15500572.
^Dicpinigaitis P (2022-09-12). "The Current and Emerging Treatment Landscape for Chronic Cough". The American Journal of Managed Care. Uncovering the Economic Burden of Chronic Cough and the Promising Role of Emerging Targeted Therapies. 28 (9): S159–S165. doi:10.37765/ajmc.2022.89244. PMID36198074. S2CID252736111. By sales, dextromethorphan is the most widely used OTC antitussive drug in the United States, and approximately 85% to 90% of OTC cough medicines contain dextromethorphan
^Majeed A, Xiong J, Teopiz KM, Ng J, Ho R, Rosenblat JD, et al. (March 2021). "Efficacy of dextromethorphan for the treatment of depression: a systematic review of preclinical and clinical trials". Expert Opinion on Emerging Drugs. 26 (1): 63–74. doi:10.1080/14728214.2021.1898588. PMID33682569. S2CID232141396.
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