Two medicines, side by side
Acetaminophen vs dextromethorphan
Acetaminophen and dextromethorphan are both labeled for cough and cold. Pharmacies paid $0.0339 per unit (Acetaminophen 500 mg caplet) and $0.122 per unit (Dextromethorphan 15 mg softgel) (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. Only the acetaminophen label carries a boxed warning.
Check it at the source: the acetaminophen FDA label on DailyMed (effective November 13, 2024); the dextromethorphan FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 27, 2026).
Highlights of the acetaminophen record
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) · label of November 13, 2024
Used for
From the label: indicationstemporarily relieves minor aches and pains due to: minor pain of arthritis muscular aches backache premenstrual and menstrual cramps the common cold headache toothache temporarily reduces fever
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- November 7, 1968
- Generic labelers
- 89 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0339 per unit
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 19
Highlights of the dextromethorphan record
Dextromethorphan (Delsym) · label of August 27, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationstemporarily relieves • cough due to minor throat and bronchial irritation as may occur with the common cold or inhaled irritants • the impulse to cough to help you get to sleep
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- n/a
- Generic labelers
- 28 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.122 per unit
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 0
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Acetaminophen label of November 13, 2024, Dextromethorphan label of August 27, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do acetaminophen and dextromethorphan differ on the record?
Only the acetaminophen label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: acetaminophen since 1986; dextromethorphan none approved (Drugs@FDA).
| Acetaminophen | Dextromethorphan | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Fever, Cough and cold, Pain | Cough and cold |
| Pharmacologic class | n/a | Sigma-1 Agonist, Uncompetitive N-methyl-D-aspartate Receptor Antagonist |
| How it works (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | November 7, 1968 | n/a |
| First generic approved | December 1, 1986 | none |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 89 labelers | 28 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0339 per unit (Acetaminophen 500 mg caplet) | $0.122 per unit (Dextromethorphan 15 mg softgel) |
| 12-month price change | +5% | +13% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 19 | 0 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 445,075 | 8,389 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Alternatives to acetaminophen
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions