Is Your Teen Abusing DXM? By Diane Griffith, HealthAtoZ writer
Across the country, one out of 11 teens has abused it to get high. Middle school children are most likely to use it because it's inexpensive and easy to find. In fact, they often get it for free, out of their own medicine cabinets. It's dextromethorphan (DXM) - an active ingredient found in many cough medications. DXM is an opioid. It can be found in about 200 over-the-counter cough and cold products. It comes in capsules, liquids, gelatin capsules, lozenges and tablets. These include Alka-Seltzer Plus ®, Ny-Quil®, Day-Quil®, Dimetapp®, Robitussin®, Coricidin®, Sudafed®, Triaminic® and Tylenol® cough products. DXM is also used in many store brands. Kids often mix cough medicine with alcohol or other drugs. This makes DXM even more dangerous. Some cough medicines treat other symptoms besides coughing. The additional ingredients in these medications can worsen the side effects of DXM. Effects of cough medicine abuse DXM can create a high similar to that of ecstasy, PCP or LSD. It can lead to overdose and psychological addiction. Its side effects include:
- Dizziness
- Confusion
- Impaired vision
- Slurred speech
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Rapid heart beat
- Exhaustion
- Paranoia
- Excessive Sweating
- High fever
- Numbness of fingers and toes
- Distortion of colors and sound
- An "out of body" feeling
- Loss of coordination
- Severe high blood pressure
- Hot flashes
- Loss of consciousness
- Coma
- Seizures
- Brain damage
- Stroke
- Death
Slang Taking handfuls of over-the-counter Coricidin pills is referred to as "skittling." Mixing DXM-containing cough syrup with alcohol is known as robo-dosing or robo-tripping. Slang names for DXM include "dex," "skittles," and "triple-C." Pure DXM in powdered form is often placed in capsules by a dealer and sold on the street. The role of the Internet Unfortunately, there are Web sites that promote DXM abuse. They inform users of how much DXM they can take and suggest drugs to combine it with. They also provide instructions on how to extract DXM from cold medicines. These sites even sell a powder form of DXM for snorting. The parents' role Parents need to learn about the dangers of DXM. Many aren't aware that the drugs abused by teens today are not the same drugs abused in past decades. Parents should also do the following:
- Lock away over-the-counter medications.
- Know the signs of DXM abuse and what to watch for.
- Monitor the sites their children are visiting on the Internet.
- Teach children to understand and respect the importance of following label directions.
- Know what medications are in the home and keep an eye on the quantities.
- Not overstock drugs in their homes.
- Be positive role models by using medication responsibly themselves.
- Talk to their children about the dangers of all types of drug abuse. Let them know that whether drugs are legal or illegal, the end results of abusing them can be equally as tragic.
What stores are doing Teens often buy these products in large amounts. Many stores now limit the quantities of such medications on their shelves. Other stores place products containing DXM behind the counter. Still others will not sell products with DXM to anyone under 18. Despite these limitations, it's still easy for children to get DXM. Unfortunately, it's often as close as the nearest medicine cabinet. Sources: Boston University Nemours Foundation Partnership for a Drug-Free America Project Path Community Service Programs U.S. Department of Health and Human Services U.S. Food and Drug Administration
This article was reviewed and updated June 2007.
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