{"id":53209,"date":"2022-08-16T15:22:25","date_gmt":"2022-08-16T19:22:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=53209"},"modified":"2022-08-16T16:43:06","modified_gmt":"2022-08-16T20:43:06","slug":"nuedexta-alternatives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/nuedexta-alternatives\/","title":{"rendered":"Nuedexta alternatives: What can I take instead of Nuedexta?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Compare Nuedexta alternatives<\/a> | Tricyclic antidepressants<\/a> | Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors<\/a> | Other antidepressants<\/a> | Dopaminergic agents<\/a> | Lamictal<\/a> | Natural alternatives<\/a> | How to switch meds<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Nuedexta<\/span><\/a> is a prescription drug used to treat pseudobulbar affect (PBA) in adults. PBA is a neurological condition that can cause uncontrollable laughing or crying episodes. Certain conditions, such as <\/span>Alzheimer\u2019s disease<\/span><\/a>, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson\u2019s disease, are often linked to the development of PBA.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Nuedexta is a brand-name drug that contains a combination of dextromethorphan hydrobromide and quinidine sulfate. Dextromethorphan is commonly used as an antitussive or cough suppressant, while quinidine is classified as an antiarrhythmic drug. Although the exact way in which it works is unknown, Nuedexta is the only FDA-approved drug used to reduce PBA episodes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Nuedexta is an effective drug for PBA but is only available as a brand-name drug. Without a <\/span>generic version<\/span><\/a>, Nuedexta can be expensive. Some people may also have trouble swallowing Nuedexta capsules or experience intolerable side effects from the drug. For these reasons, some healthcare providers and patients may be looking for a Nuedexta alternative.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Continue reading to learn more about Nuedexta alternatives.<\/span><\/p>\n

What can I take in place of Nuedexta?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Some people might think they can take the active ingredients of Nuedexta separately. Delsym (dextromethorphan polistirex) is an available drug that contains dextromethorphan. However, Delsym contains dextromethorphan surrounded by an edible plastic called polistirex. The dextromethorphan in Delsym is quickly converted to dextrorphan, a metabolite of dextromethorphan that has <\/span>antitussive effects<\/span><\/a> and is not as effective for PBA as the dextromethorphan in Nuedexta. Quinidine is available as a separate oral tablet; however, quinidine tablets are only available in 200 mg or 300 mg strength, which is higher than the 10 mg strength of quinidine in Nuedexta.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There are no other FDA-approved drugs to treat PBA. However, some drugs may be prescribed for <\/span>off-label use<\/span><\/a> in which a healthcare provider can prescribe a drug for an unapproved condition.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Alternative Nuedexta treatment options<\/span><\/a> include<\/span> tricyclic antidepressants<\/span><\/a>, such as Elavil (<\/span>amitriptyline<\/span><\/a>) and <\/span>Pamelor<\/span><\/a> (nortriptyline), and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as <\/span>Celexa<\/span><\/a> (citalopram), <\/span>Zoloft<\/span><\/a> (sertraline), and <\/span>Prozac<\/span><\/a> (fluoxetine). Antidepressants used to treat PBA are often prescribed at a lower dose than they normally would be prescribed for depression. They may have different costs, side effects, formulations, and dosages from Nuedexta. <\/span>
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Compare Nuedexta alternatives<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

Drug name<\/b><\/td>\nUses<\/b><\/td>\nDosage (for PBA)<\/b><\/td>\nCoupons<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nuedexta (dextromethorphan\/quinidine)<\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Pseudobulbar affect (PBA)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
\n
    \n
  • 20 mg\/10 mg daily for 7 days, and then 20 mg\/10 mg every 12 hours<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
Nuedexta coupons<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Elavil<\/p>\n

(amitriptyline)<\/td>\n

\n
    \n
  • Depression<\/li>\n
  • Pseudobulbar affect (PBA) (off-label use)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
\n
    \n
  • 10 to 75 mg daily<\/li>\n
  • Dosage may vary depending on the treated condition, the response to treatment, and other factors<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
Amitriptyline coupons<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Pamelor<\/p>\n

(nortriptyline)<\/td>\n

\n
    \n
  • Depression<\/li>\n
  • Pseudobulbar affect (PBA) (off-label use)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
\n
    \n
  • 10 to 25 mg daily<\/li>\n
  • Dosage may vary depending on the treated condition, the response to treatment, and other factors<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
Pamelor coupons<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Celexa<\/p>\n

(citalopram)<\/td>\n

\n
    \n
  • Depression<\/li>\n
  • Pseudobulbar affect (PBA) (off-label use)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
\n
    \n
  • 5 to 40 mg daily<\/li>\n
  • Dosage may vary depending on the treated condition, the response to treatment, and other factors<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
Celexa coupons<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Zoloft<\/p>\n

(sertraline)<\/td>\n

\n
    \n
  • Depression<\/li>\n
  • Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)<\/li>\n
  • Panic disorder<\/li>\n
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)<\/li>\n
  • Social anxiety disorder (SAD)<\/li>\n
  • Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)<\/li>\n
  • Pseudobulbar affect (PBA) (off-label use)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
\n
    \n
  • 50 to 100 mg daily<\/li>\n
  • Dosage may vary depending on the treated condition, the response to treatment, and other factors<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
Zoloft coupons<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Prozac<\/p>\n

(fluoxetine<\/p>\n

)<\/td>\n

\n
    \n
  • Depression<\/li>\n
  • Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)<\/li>\n
  • Bulimia nervosa<\/li>\n
  • Depressive episodes of bipolar disorder<\/li>\n
  • Pseudobulbar affect (PBA) (off-label use)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
\n
    \n
  • 20 mg daily<\/li>\n
  • Dosage may vary depending on the treated condition, the response to treatment, and other factors<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
Prozac coupons<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Lexapro<\/p>\n

(escitalopram)<\/td>\n

\n
    \n
  • Depression<\/li>\n
  • Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)<\/li>\n
  • Pseudobulbar affect (PBA) (off-label use)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
\n
    \n
  • 5 to 20 mg daily<\/li>\n
  • Dosage may vary depending on the treated condition, the response to treatment, and other factors<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
Lexapro coupons<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Other alternatives to Nuedexta<\/span><\/h3>\n