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Uses for Dextromethorphan

Dextromethorphan is an active ingredient in cough suppressants found in over-the-counter cold medications. At high dosage levels it is used recreationally to generate a feeling of general euphoria and also induce auditory and visual hallucinations.

  1. Legal Use

    • Dextromethorphan is used to treat a cough, and is available either alone or in combination with other cold and flu medications. The combined medications often include analgesics, antihistamines, decongestants and/or expectorants. A typical adult dose is 15 or 30 mg administered three to four times a day, and results in anti-coughing effects that last for 5 to 6 hours.

    Improper Usage

    • When taken as indicated by a doctor or the medication instructions, side-effects rarely occur. Coughs that are caused by asthma, smoking or emphysema cannot be effectively treated with dextromethorphan. Drinking alcohol in combination with dextromethorphan will increase side-effects that could impair thinking or reaction time. It also should not be taken in conjunction with antidepressants or stimulants, which may also increase unpleasant or dangerous side-effects.

    Illicit and Recreational Abuse

    • According to the U.S. Department of Justice, young adults and teenagers have taken advantage of dextromethorphan's over-the-counter status by taking the drug in dangerously high doses to induce euphoria, alter perception of time and induce auditory and visual hallucinations. The drug is commonly referred to on the streets as DXM, CCC, Triple C, Skittles, Robo and Poor Man's PCP.

    Four Plateaus of Dextromethorphan Abuse

    • Those who routinely abuse dextromethorphan describe four distinct stages, or plateaus, of dose-dependent use. The first plateau, from 100 to 200 mg, produces mild stimulation. The second, after a 200 to 400 mg dose, brings euphoria and hallucinations. The third plateau, after 300 to 600 mg, gives users distorted visual perceptions combined with a loss of coordination and muscle control. The fourth, and final, plateau is reached after a dose of 500 to 1500 mg and produces dissociative sedation (profound analgesia and amnesia, while still allowing the lungs and heart to function).

    Legal Status

    • Dextromethorphan is not a controlled or regulated substance by the U.S. Department of Justice. Under the Controlled Substances Act dextromethorphan was excluded from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) schedules in 1970, but it can be added through the traditional scheduling process. The DEA is currently reviewing dextromethorphan as a candidate for control and regulation.

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