Can you take Delsym and Sudafed together?
By
Dr Natalia Marceli Stephanes (PhD)
Author bio
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes PhD is a Pharmacist with expertise in Drugs Administration and Toxicity; Discovery of New Drugs; Cancer Treatment; Biochemical Analyzes and Hematological Analyzes. She writes and reviews content on these topics.
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes’ Highlights:
- Pharmacist at the Department of Health of Santa Catarina State, Brazil
- PhD with a focus on oncology treatment
- Years of experience in commercial pharmacy
- Bachelor, Master and PhD degrees in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina
Professional Experience:
From her undergraduate studies to her Master’s and Doctorate degrees in Pharmacy, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes has participated in numerous scientific studies in the field of oncology and onco-hematology at the University Hospital of the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Her research has focused on understanding the molecular and biochemical bases of malignant neoplasms and investigating safer and more effective therapeutic alternatives.
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes has also served as an assistant professor of haematology for undergraduate students at the Federal University of Santa Catarina. Additionally, she held the position of professor of Hospital Pharmacy at the Qualificar Technical School in Brazil, where she developed instructional materials for use in the Pharmacy Postgraduate Program at the Leonardo Da Vinci University Center.
In addition to her academic experiences, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes possesses a strong expertise in commercial pharmacy, with in-depth knowledge of medications, their routes of administration, desired effects, adverse effects, and toxicity.
Currently, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes works as a Pharmacist at the Health Department of Santa Catarina State, where her role entails providing pharmaceutical scientific consulting services to judges.
Education:
- 2016 Bachelor in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
- 2018 Master in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
- 2023 PhD in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
The main publications of Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes are:
Falchetti M ; Delgobo M, Zancanaro H, Almeida K, Das Neves RN, Dos Santos B, Stefanes NM, et al. Bishop Omics-based identification of an NRF2-related auranofin resistance signature in cancer: Insights into drug repurposing. Comput. Biol. Med [Internet]. 2023; 152:106347.
Feuser PM, Matos dos Santos PC, Cordeiro AP, Stefanes NM, Walter LO, Maioral MF, Santos-Silva MC, et al. Antineoplastic activity of free 4-nitrochalcone and encapsulated in poly(thioether-ester) nanoparticles obtained by thiol-ene polymerization in two human leukemia cell lines (Jurkat and K562). J Drug Deliv Sci Technol [Internet]. 2022; 67:102924.
Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Walter LO, Perondi DM, Efe FL, Souza LFS, Sens L, et al. Synthesis of chalcones derived from 1-naphthylacetophenone and evaluation of their cytotoxic and apoptotic effects in acute leukemia cell lines. Bioorg. Chem [Internet]. 2021; 116:105315.
Duarte BF, Vieira DSC, Lisboa ML, Stefanes NM, Grando LJ, Santos-Silva MC. Características clínico-epidemiológicas de pacientes portadores de carcinoma de células escamosas de boca. Arquivos Catarinenses de Medicina. 2021; 50(2): 232–245.
Machado V, Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Santos-Silva MC, Biavatti MW. Anti-leukemic activity of semisynthetic derivatives of Lupeol. Nat. Prod. Res. 2021; 35(22):4494-4501.
Bigolin A, Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Mascarello A, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Nunes RJ, Yunes RA, et al. A novel sulfonamide derivative as a strong and selective apoptotic agent against hematological malignancies. Chem. Pap. 2020; 74:2965–2976.
Bigolin A, Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Zatelli GA, Philippus AC, Falkenberg MB, Santos-Silva MC. Cytotoxic mechanisms of primin, a natural quinone isolated from Eugenia hiemalis, on hematological cancer cell lines. Anticancer Drugs. 2020; 31(7):709-717.
Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Neufeldt PD, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Nunes RJ, Santos-Silva MC. Aldehyde biphenyl chalcones induce immunogenic apoptotic-like cell death and are promising new safe compounds against a wide range of hematologic cancers. Future Med. Chem. 2020; 12(8):673–688.
Perondi DM, Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Maioral MF, Sens L, Pacheco LA, Cury NM, et al. A novel thiosemicarbazone as a promising effective and selective compound for acute leukemia. Anticancer Drugs. 2019; 30(8):p 828-837.
Rengifo AFC, Stefanes NM, Toigo J, Mendes C, Argenta DF, Dotto MER, Santos-Silva MC, et al. PEO-chitosan nanofibers containing carboxymethyl-hexanoyl chitosan/dodecyl sulfate nanoparticles loaded with pyrazoline for skin cancer treatment. Eur. Polym. J. 2019; 119:335-343.
Rengifo AFC, Stefanes NM, Toigo J, Mendes C, Santos-Silva MC, Nunes RJ, Parize AL, et al. A new and efficient carboxymethyl-hexanoyl chitosan/dodecyl sulfate nanocarrier for a pyrazoline with antileukemic activity. Mater. Sci. Eng. C [Internet]. 2019; 105:110051.
Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Bigolin A, Zatelli GA, Philippus AC, Falkenberg MB, Santos-Silva MC. Miconidine acetate, a new selective and cytotoxic compound with synergic potential, induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in leukemia cells. Invest. New Drugs. 2019; 37:912–922.
Srefanes NM, Toigo J, Maioral MF, Jacques AV, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Perondi DM, Ribeiro AAB, et al. Synthesis of novel pyrazoline derivatives and the evaluation of death mechanisms involved in their antileukemic activity. Bioorg. Med. Chem. 2019; 27(2):375-382.
Maioral MF, Bodack CN, Stefanes NM, Bigolin A, Mascarello A, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Yunes RA, et al. Cytotoxic effect of a novel naphthylchalcone against multiple cancer cells focusing on hematologic malignancies. Biochim. 2017; 140:48-57.
You can view some of Dr Natália’s work below and links to her professional profile below.
Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Natalia-Stephanes
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliamarceli/
Can you take Delsym and Sudafed together?
Yes, you can take Delsym and Sudafed together. Delsym contains Dextromethorphan which is a cough suppressant (1). Sudafed, on the other hand, contains Pseudoephedrine which is a nasal decongestant (2).
These two medications can be used safely together as they don’t interact with one another and don’t cause additive side effects. In fact, these two medications are added in a lot of different formulations to help relieve a number of common cold and flu symptoms (1,2).
You can also use Phenylephrine – another nasal decongestant – along with Dextromethorphan. Some common formulations that contain both Dextromethorphan and a nasal decongestant are:
- Delsym Max Strength – Cough + Cold Daytime
- DayQuil (Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, and Phenylephrine)
- NyQuil severe (Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Doxylamine, Phenylephrine)
You can either take a combined formulation or you can take Dextromethorphan and a nasal decongestant separately. Both will do just fine.
Potential benefits of taking Delsym and Sudafed together
Taking Delsym and Sudafed together may offer potential benefits in managing cold and flu symptoms.
Delsym targets the bothersome cough, while Sudafed targets the stuffy nose and sinus pressure. This can lead to improved comfort and relief, allowing you to better manage the effects of a cold or flu (1,2).
However, it’s essential to follow the recommended dosages for each medication and avoid taking them for extended periods without medical supervision. Overusing decongestants like Sudafed can lead to rebound congestion or other side effects.
Potential risks associated with chronic use of Delsym and Sudafed together
Chronic use of Delsym and Sudafed together can lead to several potential risks and adverse effects.
One of the main risks associated with chronic use is drug tolerance. Over time, the body may become accustomed to the medications, leading to reduced effectiveness in providing relief from symptoms (3,4).
As a result, individuals may find themselves requiring higher and more frequent doses to achieve the same level of relief. Another concern is dependency and addiction.
Dextromethorphan can be abused for recreational purposes when taken in large quantities. Prolonged use of high doses may lead to physical and psychological dependence, making it difficult for individuals to stop using the medication even when it is no longer necessary (5).
Chronic use of Sudafed may lead to rebound congestion. This means that when the medication wears off, the nasal congestion returns, and individuals may feel the need to use it more frequently, leading to a cycle of dependency (2).
Combining these medications can also increase the risk of adverse effects, such as increased heart rate, high blood pressure, nervousness, and sleep disturbances.
Additionally, chronic use of medications without proper medical supervision can mask underlying health issues. If nasal congestion or cough persists for an extended period, it may be a symptom of an underlying condition that requires proper diagnosis and treatment.
Relying on these medications for long periods may delay the identification of any potential health concerns.
Final words
It’s crucial to use Delsym and Sudafed as directed and for the recommended duration. If symptoms persist or worsen over time, it’s essential to seek medical advice.
Remember that self-medicating for an extended period without medical guidance may not only be ineffective but also potentially harmful.
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References
1.-
Oh S, Agrawal S, Sabir S, Taylor A. Dextromethorphan. 2023 May 22. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 30855804. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538216
2.-
Głowacka K, Wiela-Hojeńska A. Pseudoephedrine-Benefits and Risks. Int J Mol Sci. 2021 May 13;22(10):5146. doi: 10.3390/ijms22105146. PMID: 34067981; PMCID: PMC8152226. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8152226/
3.-
Olives TD, Boley SP, LeRoy JM, Stellpflug SJ. Ten Years of Robotripping: Evidence of Tolerance to Dextromethorphan Hydrobromide in a Long-Term User. J Med Toxicol. 2019 Jul;15(3):192-197. doi: 10.1007/s13181-019-00706-1. Epub 2019 Mar 22. PMID: 30903576; PMCID: PMC6597748. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6597748/
4.-
Dickerson J, Perrier D, Mayersohn M, Bressler R. Dose tolerance and pharmacokinetic studies of L (+) pseudoephedrine capsules in man. Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 1978 Dec 1;14(4):253-9. doi: 10.1007/BF00560458. PMID: 729619. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/729619/
5.-
Stanciu CN, Penders TM, Rouse EM. Recreational use of dextromethorphan, “Robotripping”-A brief review. Am J Addict. 2016 Aug;25(5):374-7. doi: 10.1111/ajad.12389. Epub 2016 Jun 11. PMID: 27288091. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27288091/
