Dextromethorphan, a common antitussive, reduces kindled amygdala seizures in the rat

Dextromethorphan (DM), a non-prescription antitussive, has anticonvulsant properties and antagonizes N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-mediated responses in rat spinal and cortical neurons. The effects of daily intraperitoneal injections of DM on amygdala-kindled seizures were examined. DM was found both to prevent the development of full kindling in rats and to decrease seizure intensity in previously fully kindled animals. The findings of this study, combined with the ready availability of DM and its apparent safety in antitussive doses suggest that clinical testing of this drug as an anticonvulsant is warranted.