In , a year-old boy in Colorado who abused DXM died when he was hit by two cars as he attempted to cross a highway. State law enforcement investigators suspect that the drug affected the boy's depth perception and caused him to misjudge the distance and speed of the oncoming vehicles. DXM abuse levels are difficult to determine. Commonly used drug toxicology screens and field tests do not accurately detect the presence of DXM.
Therefore, more thorough laboratory testing must be performed. National surveys conducted to estimate rates of drug abuse do not include questions regarding DXM. However, the American Association of Poison Control Centers reports that the total number of calls to centers nationwide involving DXM abuse or misuse have increased since see Table 1. Calls involving abuse or misuse of DXM by teenagers increased approximately percent from 1, through 3, Calls involving abuse by other age groups increased 21 percent from through , before decreasing slightly in In , Poison Control Centers received calls involving abuse or misuse of DXM from 1, teenagers and people from all other age groups.
In , Poison Control Centers received calls involving abuse or misuse of DXM from 2, teenagers and 1, people from all other age groups. In , Poison Control Centers received calls involving abuse or misuse of DXM from 3, teenagers and 1, people from all other age groups. DXM abusers can obtain the drug at almost any pharmacy or supermarket.
Most seek out products that have a high concentration of the drug. Other slang terms include skittles, dex, candy, and red devils. Concerns about shoplifting and abuse of products containing DXM have resulted in some stores instituting new policies and procedures regarding access and sales of such products. Specifically, some stores place such products where consumers must ask for them, and some have limited the number of packages that can be sold to each customer.
DXM frequently is available at raves and other venues where youths congregate. At such events, DXM occasionally is sold as another drug or in combination with other drugs. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Post comment. Skip to content. When the recommended dose is exceeded, side effects of DXM may include: confusion, nausea and vomiting, sweating, dizziness, accelerated heartbeat, stomach pain, hyperexcitability, paranoia, slurred speech, seizures and vivid auditory and visual hallucinations.
The use of high doses of DXM in combination with alcohol or other drugs is particularly dangerous and deaths have been reported. If you are taking the extended-release suspension, shake the bottle well before each use to mix the medication evenly. Stop taking dextromethorphan and call your doctor if your cough does not get better within 7 days, if your cough goes away and comes back, or if your cough occurs with a fever, rash, or headache.
This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information. Dextromethorphan is usually taken as needed. If your doctor has told you to take dextromethorphan regularly, take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
Dextromethorphan may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you experience any unusual problems while you are taking this medication. Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture not in the bathroom. Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them.
However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily.
To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location — one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at If the heart stops, health care providers will perform CPR and other cardiac support therapies.
Yes, misuse of DXM or loperamide can lead to addiction. An addiction develops when continued use of the drug causes issues, such as health problems and failure to meet responsibilities at work, school, or home. There are no medications approved specifically to treat DXM or loperamide addiction. Behavioral therapies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and contingency management, may be helpful.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy helps modify the patient's drug-use expectations and behaviors, and effectively manage triggers and stress. Contingency management provides vouchers or small cash rewards for positive behaviors such as staying drug-free. This publication is available for your use and may be reproduced in its entirety without permission from NIDA.
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