I am currently taking Nuedexta to address Pseudobulbar Affect (PBA) associated with ALS. Nuedexta combines Dextromethorphan HBr (DM) and Quinidine sulfate, where the active ingredient is DM, and the role of Quinidine is to slow the metabolism of DM over 12 hours. Dosage is two capsules per day, one every 12 hours. The retail price is $1413.99, which is absurd, based on the low cost of the ingredients, and I am always looking for alternatives.
I recently came across Delsym. Delsym is an OTC DM-based cough medicine, differing from other cough medicines in that only DM is the active ingredient. In Delsym, the active ingredient DM is surrounded by an edible plastic called polistirex. When ingested, the polistirex slowly dissolves, releasing the DM over 12 hours, with recommended dosage every 12 hours.
This appears equivalent to the DM/Quinidine combination in Nuedexta, so I am considering trying Delsym as a replacement for Nuedexta. I have found no data on negative longterm effects of Delsym or the polistirex coating. There are no clinical trials documented to base a decision on. But I just wanted to ask if anyone else has learned/heard anything regarding this option.