What is dextromethorphan?
By Valerie Henry, SHAD Prevention Networker

Did you know that some teens are abusing legal products like cough medicines? Apparently this isn’t some new trend but until recent incidences I was unaware of the problem. There isn’t much promoting or even mentioning of cough medicine abuse unless you look on the internet.

You should be aware that often teens are learning about cough medicine abuse on the internet from sites that are promoting drug abuse in general.

According to the Partnership for a Drug-Free American, cough medicine abuse is when someone takes large doses of cough medicine to get high. The “high” is caused by the ingredient Dextrometh-orphan, also known as DXM.

Dextromethorphan can be found in more than 100 over-the-counter medicines. When used as directed DXM produces very few side effects and has a long history of safety but when abused in large quantities it is dissociative, like PCP and ketamine, and can cause serious damage, even death.

Unlike many illegal drugs, DXM Abuse often goes unrecognized because it can be bought at your local grocery store. Some of the over-the-counter medicines that contain DXM include: Robitussin DM, Triaminic DM, Drixoral, Coricidin, Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold and Cough, NyQuil and many others. Slang terms for DXM vary depending on the product but some of the more common terms are Tussin, Triple-C’s, Robo-tripping, Orange crush or Skittles.

The physical effects of DXM abuse vary depending on the dose taken. Common side effects include confusion, dizziness, double or blurred vision, slurred speech, loss of physical coordination, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, rapid heartbeat, drowsiness, numbness of fingers and toes, and disorientation. DXM abusers often describe hallucinations, “out-of-body” dis-associative sensations, and loss of motor control, panic attacks, headaches, or itchy skin. Sometimes cough medicine is abused with other medications, alcohol and/or drugs which only increases the dangerous side effects. In case of an overdose medication can be given to reverse the effects and recovery may occur within 1 to 4 hours.

Be aware of the amount of medicines you have in your home that contain dextromethorphan. Take special precautions to safeguard your medicine cabinet and keep dangerous drugs out of your children’s’ reach.

Not all perilous drugs come from the streets; they can come from your local stores and your medicine cabinet!!!