Alex
Alex Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Food Interaction and all others data.
Alex suppresses the cough reflex by a direct action on the cough center in the medulla of the brain. Alex shows high affinity binding to several regions of the brain, including the medullary cough center. This compound is an NMDA receptor antagonist and acts as a non-competitive channel blocker. It is one of the widely used antitussives, and is also used to study the involvement of glutamate receptors in neurotoxicity.
Alex is an opioid-like molecule indicated in combination with other medication in the treatment of coughs and pseudobulbar affect. It has a moderate therapeutic window, as intoxication can occur at higher doses. Alex has a moderate duration of action. Patients should be counselled regarding the risk of intoxication.
| Trade Name | Alex |
| Availability | Rx and/or OTC |
| Generic | Dextromethorphan |
| Dextromethorphan Other Names | D-methorphan, delta-Methorphan, Dextromethorfan, Dextromethorphan, Dextrométhorphane, Dextromethorphanum, Dextrometorfano |
| Related Drugs | diphenhydramine, Benadryl, benzonatate, guaifenesin, codeine, Mucinex |
| Weight | 10mg, |
| Type | Ginger Lemon Flav Lozenges, Tablet, Capsule |
| Formula | C18H25NO |
| Weight | Average: 271.404 Monoisotopic: 271.193614429 |
| Protein binding | Dextromethorphan is 60-70% protein bound in serum. |
| Groups | Approved |
| Therapeutic Class | Cough suppressant |
| Manufacturer | Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, Innvotek Pharmaceuticals |
| Available Country | India, Pakistan |
| Last Updated: | September 19, 2023 at 7:00 am |
Uses
Alex is used for Chronic dry cough or unproductive cough; Acute dry cough which is interfering with normal function or sleep.
Alex is also used to associated treatment for these conditions: Allergic cough, Common Cold, Common Cold/Flu, Cough, Cough caused by Common Cold, Coughing caused by Allergies, Coughing caused by Bronchitis, Coughing caused by Flu caused by Influenza, Fever, Flu caused by Influenza, Headache, Irritative cough, Itching of the nose, Itching of the throat, Nasal Congestion, Pseudobulbar affect, Rhinorrhoea, Sneezing, Upper respiratory symptoms, Watery itchy eyes, Airway secretion clearance therapy, Bronchodilation, Oropharyngeal antisepsis
How Alex works
Alex is an agonist of NMDA and sigma-1 receptors. It is also an antagonist of α3/β4 nicotinic receptors.[A10589] However, the mechanism by which dextromethorphan's receptor agonism and antagonism translates to a clinical effect is not well understood.
Dosage
Alex dosage
Adults and Children over 12 years: 15 to 30 mg three to four times per day. However, 60 mg doses up to four times per day have been used without increased side effects.
Children between 6 and 12 years: 5-15 mg up to four times per day.
Children between 2 and 6 years: 2.5-5 mg up to four times per day.
Side Effects
Adverse effects with Alex are rare, but nausea and dizziness sometimes occur. The drug produces no analgesia or addiction and little or no CNS depression. Excitation, confusion and respiratory depression may occur after overdosage.
Toxicity
A dextromethorphan overdose may present as nausea, vomiting, stupor, coma, respiratory depression, seizures, tachycardia, hyperexcitability, toxic psychosis, ataxia, nystagmus, dystonia, blurred vision, changes in muscle reflexes, and serotonin syndrome. Overdose should be managed through symptomatic and supportive measures.
Precaution
Do not use Alex to control a cough that is associated with smoking, asthma, or emphysema, or a cough that is productive (produces sputum or phlegm).
Interaction
The following medicines should be taken carefully while concomitantly use with Alex: Amiodarone, Fluoexetine, Quinidine, CNS depressants and Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors.
Food Interaction
- Take with or without food. The absorption is unaffected by food.
Alex Alcohol interaction
[Moderate] GENERALLY AVOID:
The central nervous system-depressant effects of dextromethorphan and ethanol may be additive.
The combination of these agents may result in additive CNS depression and impairment of judgment, thinking, and psychomotor skills.
Patients should be cautioned about the concomitant ingestion of dextromethorphan and ethanol.
Consumption of large doses of either substance should be avoided.
Alex Drug Interaction
Moderate: diphenhydramine, diphenhydramine, alprazolam, alprazolamUnknown: omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, fluticasone nasal, fluticasone nasal, guaifenesin, guaifenesin, acetaminophen, acetaminophen, cyanocobalamin, cyanocobalamin, ascorbic acid, ascorbic acid, cholecalciferol, cholecalciferol, cetirizine, cetirizine
Alex Disease Interaction
Volume of Distribution
The volume of distribution of dextromethorphan is 5-6.7L/kg.
Elimination Route
A 30mg oral dose of dextromethorphan reaches a Cmax of 2.9 ng/mL, with a Tmax of 2.86 h, and an AUC of 17.8 ng*h/mL.
Half Life
Alex has a half life of 3-30 hours.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding use
Pregnancy: Adequate and well-controlled studies in human have not been done. However, Alex has not been reported to cause birth defects.
Lactation: It is not known whether dextromethorphan passes into breast milk. However, Alex has not been reported to cause problems in nursing babies.
Contraindication
Hypersensitivity to Alex or any other component.
Acute Overdose
Symptoms: In mild overdose, tachycardia, hypertension, vomiting, mydriasis, diaphoresis, nystagmus, euphoria, loss of motor coordination, and giggling; in moderate intoxication, in addition to those listed above, hallucinations and a plodding ataxic gait; in severely intoxication, agitation or somnolence.
Management: treatment is symptomatic and supportive. Naloxone may be useful in reversing toxicity.
Storage Condition
Store at 15-30° C
Innovators Monograph
You find simplified version here Alex
Alex contains Dextromethorphan see full prescribing information from innovator Alex Monograph, Alex MSDS, Alex FDA label
