The Effects of Dextromethorphan Abuse

Dextromethorphan is a common ingredient in cough and cold medicines that acts as a cough suppressant. It manipulates the nerve signals in the part of the brain that controls your cough reflex. While it is not a prescription drug, it can have some dangerous side effects if not used correctly. It is also abused by some in a habit called “robo-tripping.” In high doses, it depresses the central nervous system and has a similar anesthetic effect to PCP, morphine or the animal tranquilizer ketamine, also known as “Special K.”

Common Side Effects

• Some side effects of dextromethorphan are not serious and do not require medical attention. They should decrease as your body adjusts to the drug, but you may wish to ask your doctor about how to reduce or prevent some of these side effects if they continue. These side effects include: constipation, dizziness, headache, mild nausea or stomach pain, drowsiness or confusion.

Serious Side Effects

• Seek medical attention immediately if you have any of these symptoms, as they are signs of an overdose: slowed breathing, inability to walk steadily, blurred vision, hallucination, difficulty in urinating, severe nausea or vomiting, or shakiness. Dextromethorphan is also dangerous when used in combination with specific drugs like MAO inhibitors and high blood pressure medication. Please speak to your doctor or pharmacist about possible drug interactions with dextromethophan if you are on any drug. Do not use this drug if you are pregnant or nursing, as it causes birth defects and serious damage to infants and toddlers.

Effects of Dextromethorphan Abuse

• According to the Mayo Clinic, dextromethorphan, or DXM, is habit forming. DXM abuse is used as an inexpensive and easy-to-get alternative to ecstasy. According to the Greater Dallas Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, in high quantities, dextromethorphan “creates a depressant effect, as well as a mild hallucinogenic effect” similar to ecstasy. They also state that “the effects of DXM abuse vary with the amount taken. DXM abusers describe a set of distinct 'plateaus' ranging from a mild stimulant effect or excitement with distorted visual perceptions to a sense of complete dissociation from one’s body.” These effects can last up to six hours. Because the user is so detached from their body, symptoms of overdose can get overlooked. While on DXM, users are a danger to themselves and others.

Results of DXM Overdose

• An overdose of DXM can cause permanent brain damage, stroke, cerebral hemorrhage, slowed breathing and the inability to talk or to move the arms or legs. It can also cause death. In addition, there are serious dangers associated with overdosing on the other drugs that often accompany DXM in multi-symptom cough and cold medicines.