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Suggest Ideal Medication For Cold While On Prozac

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Posted on Tue, 29 Nov 2016
Question: My son is Prozac 40 mg. What cold medicine can he take. He took Robutussin cf and day quill. He says he feels a little drunk.
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Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Overlapping mixed products may be the cause of his symptoms.

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX

Robitussin Cf ingedients are:
Dextromethorphan - a cough suppressant
Guaifenesen - a mucolytic (thins the mucus)
Phenylephrine - a mild decongestant

Dayquill ingredients depend on which product it is. the DayQuil Severe Cold and Flu contains some of the same ingredients as the Robitussin CF, which might be why he is feeling a little loopy.

The other concern is that Prozac and Dextormethorphan can excessively increase serotonin and cause something called Serotonin Syndrome. This is a rare but very serious reaction. His symptoms of feeling a little drunk are not part of Serotonin Syndrome, but more likely due to the combination of Robitussin CF and DayQuil.

I recommend he check cold remedy products and not use ones that have Dextromethorphan in them nor combine products where there is overlap.

So the following products can be used:

Guaifenesin (mucolytic - works if you drink a lot of water with it)

Phenylephrine OR Pseudoephedrine - these are both decongestants. (phenylephrine can be bought from the shelf, pseudoephedrine is stronger but can keep people awake, and he has to ask the pharmacist for it as although it doesn't require a prescription it is kept behind the counter) Don't use both decongestants.

Saline nasal spray or saline netipot irrigation.

Vitamin C + Zinc (if he has found it to be helpful.)

I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information.

Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1991

Answered : 3134 Questions

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Suggest Ideal Medication For Cold While On Prozac

Brief Answer: Overlapping mixed products may be the cause of his symptoms. Detailed Answer: Hello XXXXXXX Robitussin Cf ingedients are: Dextromethorphan - a cough suppressant Guaifenesen - a mucolytic (thins the mucus) Phenylephrine - a mild decongestant Dayquill ingredients depend on which product it is. the DayQuil Severe Cold and Flu contains some of the same ingredients as the Robitussin CF, which might be why he is feeling a little loopy. The other concern is that Prozac and Dextormethorphan can excessively increase serotonin and cause something called Serotonin Syndrome. This is a rare but very serious reaction. His symptoms of feeling a little drunk are not part of Serotonin Syndrome, but more likely due to the combination of Robitussin CF and DayQuil. I recommend he check cold remedy products and not use ones that have Dextromethorphan in them nor combine products where there is overlap. So the following products can be used: Guaifenesin (mucolytic - works if you drink a lot of water with it) Phenylephrine OR Pseudoephedrine - these are both decongestants. (phenylephrine can be bought from the shelf, pseudoephedrine is stronger but can keep people awake, and he has to ask the pharmacist for it as although it doesn't require a prescription it is kept behind the counter) Don't use both decongestants. Saline nasal spray or saline netipot irrigation. Vitamin C + Zinc (if he has found it to be helpful.) I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information.