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DXM (dextromethorphan) Addiction

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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 NyquilŽ. 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 CoricidinŽ HBP Cough and Cold.

The Cincinnati Drug & Poison Information Center reported a series of 19 CoricidinŽ HBP Cough and Cold cases over a 6-week period in 2000.

Information on this page courtesy of Maryland Poison Center.

Drug Addiction Index >

Drug Information:

Narconon Gulf Coast
3391 Scenic Hwy 98 East
Destin, FL 32541		 Toll Free: 1-800-253-3168
Local Phone: 850-837-2799
Fax: 850-654-7986
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