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james_morrison2026-04-18

I recently started taking Promethazine DM Syrup for a persistent cough, and I have to say, the side effects have been pretty intense. This medicine is a combination of promethazine, an antihistamine, and dextromethorphan, a cough suppressant. It's meant to relieve cough and cold symptoms, but I've had some serious issues. Have any of you experienced similar problems? I've had dizziness, drowsiness, and even some hallucinations, which were really scary. I also woke up with a rash and hives, which made me pretty concerned about an allergic reaction. I had to stop taking it immediately and call my doctor. The urgent side effects listed are terrifying: abnormal heart rhythms, seizures, and even neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Has anyone else had severe reactions, or am I just unlucky? I want to know if this is a common issue or if I should be worried about future reactions. Also, what should you do if these symptoms occur? The instructions aren't always clear. Anyone have tips on managing side effects or dealing with a bad reaction?

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last active 2d ago
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Comments (10)

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stephen_sanders5d ago

This medication can also cause some problems with urination. I had trouble controlling my bladder and went to the ER because I was so stressed out. It was like I couldn't pee. My doctor said it was a side effect of the medicine. I can't believe something like this can happen.

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timothy_thompson5d ago

I had a similar experience with Promethazine DM Syrup. I felt really dizzy and disoriented, and it made my heart race. I thought I was having a heart attack! I had to go to the ER, and they told me it was a side effect. I never took it again. Be careful with this stuff.

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ashley_alvarez5d ago

You're not alone. I had a really bad reaction too. It made me so sleepy that I was falling asleep in the middle of the day. I ended up spilling my coffee because I couldn't stay awake. And yes, it definitely helped with the cough, but the side effects were not worth it for me.

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joan_kim5d ago

I've had a couple of bad reactions, but it's hard to tell whether they are just rare reactions or the medication. I would stop taking it if it's that bad. The drowsiness and dizziness are probably the worst. I did not know about the hallucinations. I guess that's a serious side effect to be aware of. I will be avoiding this one in the future.

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philip_knight5d ago

I've had some bad reactions to cough syrup, but I felt like the side effects were worth it compared to the severe cough I had. I didn't have any hallucinations, so that must be really scary. I think it's best to avoid taking it if you're having severe side effects like these.

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peter_moore5d ago

I've had some weird reactions to cough medicine, but nothing like this. For some reason, I get a lot of drowsiness. It's good for a restful night, but I actually like to stay awake to study. Do you guys think it would be okay to take other meds to counteract the drowsiness?

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robert_stephens5d ago

Have any of you had an allergic reaction? I had a friend who broke out in hives and had to go to the hospital. It was scary to watch. I think it's important to be aware of the signs of a severe allergic reaction and to stop taking the medicine immediately if you experience any symptoms.

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sean_wallace5d ago

I've had some bad experiences with medicine but nothing like the neuroleptic malignant syndrome. That sounds terrifying. I would stop taking it immediately if I had any symptoms like that.

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kathleen_gray5d ago

I love how Promethazine DM Syrup is a combination of two different drugs. But I don't love the side effects. I felt really lightheaded and kinda spacey when I took it. Like I could be having an out-of-body experience. I did not like it, but it helped with the cough. It was definitely worth it in my case.

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nina_kowalski5d ago

I've had a few cough syrups make me a bit drowsy but nothing like what you're describing. I would definitely suggest you speak with your doctor if you're having severe side effects and possibly switch to a different medication. I don't know if you're aware, but you can report side effects like this to the FDA.