Clint Eastwood Youth Program - CEYP Newsletter
Issue 14: Not in my house?
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Most of us use medications only as directed, and feel that our homes are free from dangerous or addictive drugs. But you may need to rethink home safety. Over-the-counter cough syrup and cold tablets are being used, mostly by teens, not for cough or cold symptoms, but to get high.
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But it’s Just Cough Medicine…
Dextromethorphan (or DXM) is a safe, effective cough suppressant when used according to directions. But taken in high doses, DXM can produce dissociation (distorted perceptions of sight and sound, or feeling disconnected from one’s body and surrounding environment), sensory enhancement, and hallucinatory effects. And mixing DXM with other drugs or alcohol increases its dangerous physiological effects. DXM abusers may also experience toxic side effects from some of the other ingredients in cough and cold products. Acetaminophen, one of the other active ingredients in some preparations, is of particular concern; excessive amounts of acetaminophen can result in severe and permanent liver damage.
Effects of High-Dose DXM Use
- Confusion, delusions, hallucinations, paranoia
- Impaired judgment and mental performance
- Blurred vision, slurred speech
- Dizziness
- Loss of coordination
- Involuntary muscle movement
- Tremors, seizures
- Irregular heartbeat
- High blood pressure
- Nausea
- Abdominal pain, vomiting, vomiting of blood
- Sadness
- Headache
- Decreased ability to regulate body temperature, excessive sweating, increased body temperature, or hot flashes
- Numbness of fingers or toes
- Redness of face
- Dry mouth and loss of body fluid; dry, itchy skin
- Inability to move arms or legs or to talk
- Slowed breathing
- Loss of consciousness
- Death
Additional Risks
There are additional risks when abusers get high while engaging in activities that require reasonable judgment and quick reactions — driving, biking, or swimming, for example. There have also been cases reported of “rave-related heat stroke” when DXM is taken and accompanied by vigorous dancing, causing death due to heat stroke and respiratory distress.
“Triple C”: a Triple Threat
Street names for dextromethorphan include “C-C-C,” “Robo,” “Skittles,” “Red Devils,” “DXM,” “Robo-tripping,” “Syrup,” “Triple-C,” “8’s,” “Tussin,” or “Dex.”
There is a growing subculture around the use of DXM and other drugs, with music groups and Web sites devoted to giving information about or glorifying their use. Abusers often introduce “friends” to drug use, usually this occurs where teenagers gather and mingle without parental supervision.
What Can I Do?
Parents must be alert to signs of abuse: your child bringing home his or her own medicine (packs of cough and cold medication are often stolen or purchased in multiple stores), or a dwindling of the family’s medication supply.
According to Recovery Center medical director, Dr. Lee Goldman, “The easy availability of DXM makes it difficult; many of us think of cough and cold medicine as innocent substances.” But products like Coricidin, Robitussin, Vicks Formula 44, Drixoral, and many generic brands contain DXM. Look for products that include “DM,” “Tuss,” or “Maximum Strength” in the name.
Most importantly, be alert to changes in your children; be aware of where they are, who they are with, and changes in their behavior. If you notice changes in your child’s behavior, ask them about their behavior; ask about drug or alcohol use; ask about medications, even seemingly innocent over-the-counter medications.