Before the FDA outlawed codeine in cough medicines in the 1970s, OTC cough medicines created a cheap and effective high. A drug called dextromethorphan (DXM) replaced codeine in cough medicines. At very high doses, it can mimic the effects of illegal drugs like PCP and ketamine. Nonprescription cough and cold combination products, including products that contain dextromethorphan, can cause serious side effects or death in young children.
Many people who are on a DXM trip can’t differentiate between what’s real and what’s a hallucination. They also lose control of their own thoughts and control of their physical body. Also tell them about any herbs, vitamins, and supplements you use.
While less common, the most serious side effects of dextromethorphan are described below, along with what to do if they happen. Dextromethorphan is commonly used to reduce cough caused by common cold or inhaled allergens or that makes it hard for you to fall asleep. Drugs like DXM block the NMDA receptors and make it more difficult for the transmission of information in the brain. This can lead to lethargic thought processes in smaller doses and complete dissociation and amnesia in higher doses. If you feel as though someone may be overdosing on DXM, call 911 immediately — DXM overdose can be lethal if proper medical support isn’t administered immediately.
Understand The Risks
Most people who reach this plateau don’t report the experience as being positive. It can produce terrifying or uncomfortable visions that are very difficult to get out of. The only saving grace is the total lack of coordination with the body. This plateau is very intense — producing extreme states of dissociation or delirium similar to PCP. The effects last a very long time too — often exceeding several hours, with persistent effects lasting up to two weeks.
- Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific dextromethorphan products they stock.
- Other factors may also affect whether dextromethorphan is a good option for you.
- It wasn’t until he attempted suicide that they really got him the help he needed and found out the full extent of his addiction.
- This also depends upon whether you’re taking it as it is intended to be used or if you’re taking it for recreational purposes to try to get high.
- You may have a raised risk of these side effects if you drink alcohol with dextromethorphan.
If You Experience Any Of The Following Symptoms, Call Your Doctor Immediately:
They can last 30 minutes to 6 hours after you take the drug. Since cough medicines are taken only if required, you will not be on a dosing schedule. But if you are taking it regularly, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. And if it is nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. If you overdose on Dextromethorphan, seek emergency medical attention.
Depression
If you’re taking between 10 and 30 mg, it should help suppress your cough for anywhere from about 4 to 6 hours. While Benadryl will often make you sleepy, DXM will typically only have this side effect if it is taken in very high doses or if it is used in combination with other types of medicines. DXM is specifically designed to work as a cough suppressant. It works as an antihistamine to help with allergies, rashes, and itching. Yes, DXM is a cough medicine that is intended to help reduce symptoms by calming the part of the brain the triggers the coughing reflex.
Respiratory Depression
Slang terms for this include “robo-tripping” or “skittling”. At extremely high doses, DXM acts as a hallucinogenic dissociative drug. In general, you should never mix any other drugs, alcohol, or prescription medications with DXM. Doing so can dramatically increase the chances of experiencing side effects or overdose. The dissociative and deliriant effects can be very uncomfortable.
Does Dextromethorphan Have A Risk Of Misuse Or Dependence?
Robotripping, also known as dexing or skittling, refers to using DXM to experience a range of psychological and physical effects. If your cough lasts more than 7 days, stop taking dextromethorphan and call your healthcare provider. If you are taking dextromethorphan oral liquid or extended-release oral suspension, use an accurate measuring device to measure your dose, such as a dosing cup provided with the medicine.
Do not take more dextromethorphan than recommended on the product label, as this can lead to harmful effects. For some people, dextromethorphan can cause an allergic reaction. Dextromethorphan is available as an over-the-counter (OTC) drug. But when taking it according to the instructions on the product label, side effects rarely occur. If a person experiences any serious side effects when taking DXM, they should seek immediate medical help.
- Dextromethorphan can be used for this purpose in adults and certain children (see just below).
- However, in large quantities, DXM can produce serious and possibly dangerous side effects.
- By educating yourself in drug slang, you can help protect your child.
- For example, Reddit, one of the most popular social media sites around the world, has an estimated 430 million active users.
- Other websites and cybercommunities such as Dextroverse.org and the Vaults of Erowid provide teens outlets to post about their DXM highs and get advice from other users on how to use the drug.
- The good news is that DXM abuse by teens is down by nearly half during the past decade or so.
Your Health Is Our #1 Priority
For example, if you were to take a low or moderate dose of DXM, it is possible that you could experience some stimulant-like effects. This could include symptoms like a boost in energy, a sense of euphoria, and an increase in heart rate. Unfortunately, many people misuse DXM for recreational purposes to try to get high. The effects that this can lead to are often considered similar to the effects of the drug ketamine.
Modern Day Discovery
Call your doctor if you experience any unusual problems while you are taking this medication. If you’re concerned about law enforcement getting involved, you don’t need to mention the substances used over the phone. Just be sure to tell them about specific symptoms so they can send the appropriate response.If you’re caring for someone else, get them to lay slightly on their side while you wait. Have them bend their top knee inward if they can for added support.
DXM is dangerous to combine with other serotonergic substances. This includes monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and tricyclic antidepressants. DXM may also pose life-threatening reactions when taken with prescription and non-prescription antihistamines such as diphenhydramine and terfenadine.
DXM can cause serious interactions when combined with other substances and OTC or prescription medications. High doses of DXM have been linked to dangerous behavior that stems from effects like hallucinations, psychosis, and agitation. It’s been linked to heat emergencies, including heatstroke. This is also sometimes called rave-related heatstroke because it’s more likely to happen with physical exertion, like dancing.
Drugs That Are Categorized As DXM
But if you do find evidence of abuse, it may be time for a talk with your child. Here’s some guidance on what to do before you confront your son or daughter about OTC cough medicine abuse. You may also overhear your teen using or see them texting terms such as “skittles,” “robo-tripping,” “triple-C,” or “dexing.” These words are some of the many terms for cough medicine abuse. By educating yourself in drug slang, you can help protect your child. Polydrug use is a term for the use of more than one drug or type of drug at the same time or one after another. Polydrug use can involve both illicit drugs and legal substances, such as alcohol and medications.
Furthermore, most stores have these medications out on the shelf where they are easy to steal. However, since the DXM in cough syrup is attached to a HBr molecule, we can use the Acid-Base method to separate the DXM from the undesirable bits. We agitate the mixture, then immediately add our non-polar solvent Naphtha to the mix and agitate. Since the DXM is now in the non-polar Naphtha, we titrate the bottom red layer away and keep the clear naphtha.
