MONTREAL - Cough syrup is not something we consider dangerous, but that's not always the case.
A Quebec coroner, citing two recent cases, warns that if it's taken incorrectly it can be fatal.
In separate cases, men ages 64 and 65 died after taking cough syrup containing dextromethorphan, or DM.
One of the men simply took too much, the other took it while he was on the anti-depressant Prozac,and an antibiotic. It proved to be a killer combination.
"Anytime that you're taking any kind of over the counter medication, be careful if your also taking something else, because they're not tested in combination with everything else," said Dr. Joe Schwarcz. "This is the time to ask the pharmacist."
According to the coroner's report, between 2000 and 2009-about 20 people died accidentally after taking over the counter drugs, whether it be cough syrup with DM in it or Tylenol with acetaminophen.
The coroner recommends the Quebec government to make it mandatory to pull all products containing DM off the shelves. Patients would have to consult a pharmacist before purchase.
Coroners are also asking the order of pharmacists to have members act now, and remove the products even before a change in legislation.
Some pharmacists already favour the idea.
"I think this way we can dispense this medication in a much safer way, avoiding potential drug interactions," said pharmacist Larissa Feldman.
