1. Dextromethorphan hydrobromide is used to treata dry (nonproductive) cough caused by colds, flu or inhaled irritants. 2. Theprimary use of dextromethorphan hydrobromide is as an antitussive, or coughsuppressant. This is one of the most popular ingredients in over-the-countercold and cough medications. 3. Dextromethorphan hydrobromide may be added toother preparations to help treat pain and a variety of other disturbances aswell.

The primary use ofdextromethorphan is as a cough suppressant, for the temporary relief of coughcaused by minor throat and bronchial irritation (such as commonly accompaniesthe flu and common cold), as well as those resulting from inhaled particleirritants. Pseudobulbar affect and other neuropsychiatric disorders In 2010,the FDA approved the combination product dextromethorphan/quinidine for thetreatment of pseudobulbar affect (emotional lability). The combination is alsounder investigation for the treatment of a variety of other neurological andneuropsychiatric conditions, such as agitation associated with Alzheimer'sdisease andmajor depressive disorder.Dextromethorphan is the actual therapeuticagent in the combination; quinidinemerely serves to inhibit the enzymaticdegradation of dextromethorphan and thereby increase its circulatingconcentrations via inhibition of CYP2D6.