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"It’s Just Cough Medicine" – Think Again!
There is an emerging trend happening in homes across
Tennessee, right under parents’ noses. Recently, there have been news
reports of overdoses and theft of this drug across the state as well as
nationwide. The Tennessee REDLINE has been receiving calls and inquiries
about it for nearly 3 years from various areas of the state. What is it?
What is this drug? It is the abuse of over-the-counter cough suppressants.
Dextromethorphan or DXM is a semisynthetic narcotic related to opium and
found in many over-the-counter cough suppressants in the United States and
most countries. DXM is contained in any drug whose name includes
"DM" or "Tuss." The drug comes in various forms. Most
common are cough suppressants in caplet or liquid form, including
Corcidin, Robitussin, Vicks Formula 44, Drixoral, and several generic
brands. (A caution: Not all medicines under these brands contain the drug
since most brands put out several formulations. Look on the label for
"DM," "Tuss," or "Maximum Strength.")
Less publicized and more easily obtained than the more
well-known club-drug ecstasy, DXM’s legal status and familiarity may
lure some kids into taking it, despite the dangers it poses of addiction,
injury, and death. "It's not an ugly drug. It’s much less
intimidating than snorting a powder or injecting a strange
substance," said William Bobo, M.D., a psychiatrist who, along with
Shannon Miller, M.D., is conducting an exhaustive review of the scientific
literature on DXM.
Anyone, including minors, can buy these medicines at a
local convenience mart or drugstore. And since the Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) approves DXM for sale in over-the-counter medicines,
those seeking a high, and especially teens, may assume it’s
"safe." "It's a very familiar substance, in short,"
said Bobo, and thus "it is felt to be benign by abusers." This
underestimation of the drug’s dangers and abuse potential is not limited
to abusers, explained Miller. "Many clinicians simply aren't asking
these questions—and certainly when they are faced with someone using it,
they tend to minimize it."
DXM is related to opiates in its make-up, and it
produces mind-altering highs. Misuse of the drug creates both depressant
and mild hallucinogenic effects. It also acts as a dissociative
anesthetic, similar to PCP and ketamine.
Sought-after effects include:
Adverse effects are many:
· Confusion
· Impaired judgment and mental performance
· Blurred vision
· Slurred speech
· Loss of coordination
· Rigid motor tone and involuntary muscle
movement
· Tremor
· Dizziness
· Nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting,
vomiting of blood
· Dysphoria (sadness)
· Paranoia
· Headache
· Decreased ability to regulate body
temperature
· Excessive sweating
· Reduced sweating and increased body
temperatures, or hot flashes
· Irregular heartbeat
· High blood pressure
· Numbness of fingers or toes
· Redness of face
· Loss of consciousness
· Dry mouth and loss of body fluid
· Dry itchy skin and occasional patches of
flaky skin
Emergency rooms increasingly report DXM overdoses and
DXM-related crises. In spite of these serious potential adverse effects
of DXM, the dangerous behavior it induces, and the ingredients ingested
along with DXM-containing cough medicines, abusers keep returning
because of the drug’s legal status and easy access.
Its use is becoming more prevalent in dance clubs and
at dance events called "raves," where it is sometimes used as
an alternative for the more well-known drug ecstasy. Adolescent youth
easily can obtain the drug because stores sell it over the counter, with
no prescription required. Its street names include:
· DXM
· robo
· skittles
· Vitamin D
· dex
· tussin
WHAT CAN WE DO??
The most important thing for everyone is simply to be
aware that the problem exists. Parents should look for signs of abuse
such as a child bringing home his or her own box, or an unexplained
dwindling of the family’s stock. Doctors can look for signs of abuse
and send patients to treatment providers. Treatment providers need to be
aware of the special considerations associated with the drug’s
availability. And abusers should know that the drug is dangerous and has
addictive properties.
For further information or if you or someone you know
needs help for a problem with DXM or any other drug, Call the Tennessee
REDLINE at 1.800.889.9789 for free confidential referrals to services in
your area. For more information about over-the-counter or any alcohol or
other drug abuse, please call Tennessee Association of Alcohol and Drug
Abuse Services (TAADAS) at 615.780.5901 or visit http://www.samhsa.gov/newsroom/.
The Tennessee REDLINE is a program of TAADAS and is funded under an
agreement with the State of Tennessee. Sources: Tennessee REDLINE & NCADI
Reporter. |
