ABUSE OF OVER-THE-COUNTER DRUGS

"My experience with DXM: I started peeing blood. I felt sick....My body felt weak....I gave up everything because I was obsessed with using....All I cared about was getting high....I thought I could just use Coricidin for fun, that it didn’t matter. I never expected to get hooked....I’ll never be able to get that time back. If I could erase it and make it go away, I would.” —Crystal

Over-the-counter cold and cough medicines containing the drug Dextromethorphan (DXM) have also been abused. DXM is sold in syrup, gel and tablet form. When sold on the Internet as powder, it is particularly risky because of the uncertainty of its composition and dose. It is found in more than 100 products; Coricidin and Robitussin are abused the most.

EFFECTS

  • Visual hallucinations
  • Hyperexcitability
  • Insomnia
  • Lethargy
  • Physical dependence (with prolonged use)
  • Dizziness
  • Slurred speech
  • Delusions
  • Sweating
  • High blood pressure
  • Liver and brain damage

Mixed with other drugs, cough syrup can also cause central nervous system and heart problems. Combined with alcohol, it is particularly dangerous and can result in death.

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STREET NAMES

BRAND NAMES

Coricidin

Robitussin

STREET NAMES

DXM

CCC

Triple C

Skittles

Robo

Poor Man’s PCP