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Dextromethorphan Dangers

Dextromethorphan, or DXM, is a cough suppressant found in over-the-counter medications. DXM's chemical makeup is similar to morphine, but it has fewer side effects and is less addictive. It was first added to cough syrups in the 1970s and medications with it are often labeled as "DX" or "maximum strength," according to the Greater Dallas Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse. The medicine has few side effects when used according to directions. Dextromethorphan has more severe implications if a person mixes it with alcohol, drugs or simply takes too much.

  1. Allergic Reactions or Overdose

    • Dextromethorphan affects the nervous system and has common side effects that include dizziness and drowsiness. In some cases, the body may not be able to metabolize the medicine or allergic reactions may occur. Signs of allergy include difficulty breathing, hives or swelling of the lips, tongue, throat or face. Signs that a person may have taken too much of the medicine include confusion, shallow breathing, blurred vision, stomach pain, rapid or irregular heart beat, numbness in extremities, hallucinations or mania.

    Drug Interactions

    • Dextromethorphan can interact with certain antidepressants, particularly monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) such as rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), tranylcypromine (Parnate), isocarboxazid (Marplan) or phenelzine (Nardil). Drugs.com states that life-threatening side effects can occur if a person has taken one of these drugs within two weeks of starting on dextromethorphan and if the MAOI has not yet cleared the body. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency says combining the two types of medications can lead to serotonin syndrome, which causes high amounts of the brain chemical to build up in the body. Too much serotonin can cause symptoms ranging from diarrhea and shivering to seizures, rigid muscles and, if not treated, death.

    Passing to Unborn Babies

    • Dextromethorphan may pass from a mother to baby through breast milk, Drugs.com states. A woman who is breast-feeding should alert her doctor of that fact so the doctor can recommend an alternative medicine or remedy.

    Teen Abuse

    • One of every 11 teens in the United States has used cough medicine to get high, according to the Partnership for a Drug-Free America. When taken in large amounts, the medicine has an effect similar to ketamine or PCP, the Greater Dallas Council says. Teenagers often mix DXM—sometimes drinking at least half an 8 oz. bottle of syrup form at a time—with other drugs, including alcohol, marijuana and ecstasy. Using the drug is known as "robo-tripping" or "robo-dosing," and DXM in pill form is called "skittles." The drug is also known as Tussin, Vitamin D, Triple-C, rojo, velvet or Dex. Users report that DXM provides various out-of-body experiences, some of which include distortions of sound and color as well as loss of motor control. Highs can last for up to 6 hours when large amounts are consumed, leading to risk of injury because of its effect on cognition and visual perception. High doses can also exacerbate the common side effects of the medicine, causing blood pressure to rise, breathing to slow or an inability to move the arms or legs. In cases of severe overdose, seizures, brain damage, stroke or death can occur.

    Legal Risks

    • Dextromethorphan is not illegal to use, but reports of abuse have led the DEA to monitor its sale. Those who provide large quantities of the drug to minors or anyone who does not understand its side effects can be prosecuted under laws that protect minors or the public, the Greater Dallas Council says. If a person is caught high on the drug in a public place, he could be arrested for disorderly conduct, peace disturbance or any other violation of law.

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