Dextromethorphan: From Cough Suppressant to Antidepressant.
Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services November 1, 2022 Karan S Kverno
Dextromethorphan (DXM) has been repurposed over seven decades: first as a cough suppressant, then combined with quinidine for pseudobulbar affect, and most recently formulated with bupropion for major depressive disorder. This article describes DXM's history and mechanisms of action for each use, highlighting the uniquely rapid action and safety profile of the oral dextromethorphan-bupropion antidepressant formulation.