DXM (dextromethorphan) Information
DXM (dextromethorphan) is an opioid drug agent used as a cough
suppressant. DXM has been around since the 1960's and is found in more
than 140 over-the-counter drugs. Abuse of DXM, especially by teenagers
in the "rave " dance party scene, is becoming more widespread
throughout the United States. Because of this, interest in the drug is
growing rapidly.
Street Names
Street names for the drug dextromethorphan include "C-C-C",
"Robo", "Skittles", "Red Devils", "DXM",
"robo-tripping", "tussin", or "dex".
Side Effects
 Some
of the health hazards of the drug DXM include:
- mental status changes
- lethargy
- ataxia
- slurred speech
- confusion
- hallucinations and seizures
- dry mouth
- loss of body fluid
- dry itchy skin
- blurred vision
- cognitive alterations
- delusions
- nausea
- abdominal pain
- vomiting
- irregular heartbeat
- high blood pressure
- numbness of fingers or toes
- redness of face
- headache
- loss of consciousness
- death
Extent of Use
A recent survey of 376 4th - 12th graders in New Mexico revealed that
non-prescription products containing dextromethorphan ranked
significantly higher in selection to "get high" than those
without it. The most frequently identified abused drug was Nyquil®. The
reported drug abuse appeared to increase with student age.
In addition to the Unites States, cases of dextromethorphan drug
abuse have been reported in Sweden, Australia, Germany and Canada.
Dextromethorphan-related deaths have been seen in Sweden.
 Of
twenty-five intentional exposures to dextromethorphan reported to the
Maryland Poison Center in 2000, eighteen involved adolescents and young
adults. Sixteen of these exposures were classified as intentional drug
abuse and nine were classified as intentional use for a suspected
suicide attempt. There were eight cases of intentional ingestion of the
dextromethorphan-containing product Coricidin® HBP Cough and Cold.
The Cincinnati Drug & Poison Information Center reported a series
of 19 Coricidin® HBP Cough and Cold cases over a 6-week period in 2000.
Information on this page courtesy of Maryland
Poison Center.
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