Is It Safe To Use Zarbee's Cough And Delsym Together?
In our latest question and answer, the pharmacist discusses whether or not it is safe to combine Zarbee's with Delsym.
Hi, my daughter has a nasty cough that seems to be due to a cold. We are treating her with Zarbee's and want to know if it is also okay to give Delsym syrup. Thanks!
Jul 05, 2022- Zarbee's cough syrup and Delsym have no known interactions and are safe to use together since they contain different types of ingredients. Zarbee's contains non-drug ingredients like honey, vitamins, and minerals, while Delsym contains the cough medication dextromethorphan. Honey in Zarbee's has evidence supporting its ability to help reduce cough severity from infections.
Hello and thanks for reaching out! I'm sorry to hear your daughter is sick and I hope that she starts to feel better soon!
In regard to the medications you asked about in your question, Zarbee's cough syrup is safe to take along with Delsym. There are no known interactions between the two.
Even though both are considered 'cough syrups', they contain very different ingredients that do not interact with one another. In fact, most Zarbee's products have no known interactions with any over-the-counter medications as they simply contain 'non-drug' ingredients, such as honey, agave, vitamins, minerals and various botanicals.
What Is In Zarbee's Cough?
Zarbee's cough syrup contains:
- Dark Honey
- Grapefruit Seed Extract
- Ascorbic Acid
- Zinc Gluconate
- Water
- Citric Acid
- Natural Flavors
You'll notice there are no pharmaceutical drugs in Zarbee's cough syrup, unlike Delsym, which contains the cough medication dextromethorphan. Most Zarbee's products are actually considered 'supplements', which is why the labeling on the box has a section for 'Supplement Facts', and not 'Drug Facts'.
None of this is to say that Zarbee's isn't effective. Honey, for example, has a strong body of evidence that it can help reduce the severity of coughing associated with infection. Zarbee's cough syrup also contains Vitamin C and Zinc, which also have evidence for benefit.
Use Together
As previously stated, Zarbee's cough syrup can safely be used with Delsym (dextromethorphan). They don't interfere with one another.
Glossary — Terms in This Answer
- Interactions
- When two medications affect each other's effectiveness or safety when taken together.
- Dextromethorphan
- An active drug ingredient used to suppress coughing that is found in cough syrups like Delsym.
- Supplements
- Products containing vitamins, minerals, herbs, or other ingredients that are not classified as drugs and don't require a prescription.
- Supplement Facts
- The label section on supplement bottles that lists all the ingredients and their amounts, as required by law.
- Ascorbic Acid
- The chemical name for Vitamin C, a nutrient that supports immune function.
- Zinc Gluconate
- A form of the mineral zinc that is combined with gluconic acid for absorption and is often used to support immune health.
- Botanicals
- Plant-based ingredients such as herbs, leaves, roots, or seeds used in health products.
- Non-drug ingredients
- Substances in a product that are not pharmaceutical medications and are generally considered natural or dietary components.
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD
Doctor of Pharmacy, board certified clinical pharmacist (BCPS), American Herbalist Guild, Medication Therapy Management certified
Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS, is a licensed pharmacist with more than 13 years of experience across retail pharmacy, clinical pharmacy, medication safety, pharmacy program development, and healthcare administration. He is the founder of HelloPharmacist.com, where he helps patients...
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