Dextromethorphan in Cough Syrup: The Poor Man’s Psychosis

Dextromethorphan (3-methoxy-N-methylmorphinan), also known as “DXM” and “the poor man’s PCP,” is a synthetically produced drug that is available in more than 140 over-the-counter cough and cold preparations. Dextromethorphan (DXM) has overtaken codeine as the most widely used cough suppressant due to its availability, efficacy, and safety profile at directed doses. However, DXM is subject to abuse.

 The Dangers of Teens Abusing Cough Meds With Dextromethorphan

High doses of this common over-the-counter cough suppressant can have devastating effects.

Drop in Cough Medicine Abuse by Teens Follows Introduction of Campaign

After a targeted campaign designed to reduce teen abuse of over-the-counter (OTC) cough medicine was introduced, reported abuse by teens decreased 35 percent, a new study finds.

4 Insane Details of Cough Syrup Addiction (An Inside Look)

Even more baffling (or mind-blowing, if you will) is the fact that it didn't happen when I was in high school, which is generally the age at which we're expected to guzzle disgusting red slime for a cheap high. Maybe "expected" is too strong of a word there. The point is, it happened when I was in my early 30s, and it's really not as funny as it sounds. I'm going to do my best to make it seem like it was, though, because that's my job.

An Ingredient in Cough Syrup Could Work as an Antidepressant

The US government first chanced upon DXM about 50 years ago while researching a non-addictive replacement for codeine in cough syrups. Researchers were looking for molecules that shared codeine’s molecular structure. DXM molecules looked like codeine and stopped the cough well enough, but otherwise couldn’t be more different, Kaplin says. Codeine is a narcotic, which in high doses leads to a sense of euphoria, sleepiness, and calm. DXM, on the other hand, is a hallucinogen that can trigger psychosis in high doses. But that didn’t stop the government from allowing its use: The drug remains over-the-counter, even though studies have suggested DXM might not help with cough at all.

Dextromethorphan: Preventing Teen Cough Medicine Abuse

CHPA supports federal and state legislation to ban the sale of over-the-counter cough medicines containing dextromethorphan (DXM) to minors (those aged 17 or younger) and to ban the sale of raw, unfinished DXM to ensure only entities registered with the FDA – such as scientists, researchers, and manufacturers – have access to this form of the ingredient.

How to Identify & Prevent OTC Cough Medicine Abuse

Ever heard of DXM? If not, don’t worry. You’re not alone.

I Was a Cough Syrup Junkie

During second semester I got a nasty cold. I bought NyQuil and drank twice the recommended dosage before I went to bed. As I drifted off to sleep, I felt like I was tumbling down inside a warm, dark, quiet cave. When I woke up I realized cough medicine could get me high if I drank enough. So I did it again. And again. And again.

The Dangers of DXM

Dextromethorphan (DXM), the active ingredient in cough suppressants, has long been abused by teens looking for a cheap, accessible, high. But the danger comes when users take multiple times the recommended dose.

Trippin' on cough medicine

Generally speaking, taking doses of DXM that are higher than recommended may cause mildly euphoric and stimulating effects similar to those produced by ecstasy. At even higher doses, the drug's "stoning" effect increases and hallucinations and out-of-body experiences similar to those caused by the drug ketamine may occur.

“Robo-Tripping”: Dextromethorphan Abuse and its Anesthetic Implications

Management of dextromethorphan toxicity is almost entirely supportive because there is no known antidote for the drug.