Over-the-Counter drugs containing DXM FAQ

What are over-the-counter drugs?
Over-the-counter cold and cough medicines are sold without a prescription. Some contain the cough-suppressing ingredient called dextromethorphan (DXM), which creates a high when taken in large doses. There are many different products that contain DXM, including Robitussin, Dayquil, and some Vicks products; often these products have “Tuss” or “DM” in their name.

What does DXM do?
If taken in large quantities, DXM can cause hallucinations, loss of motor control, and out-of- body (or dissociative) sensations.

Side effects of excessive cold and cough medicine use include fever, confusion, impaired judgment, blurred vision, dizziness, paranoia, excessive sweating, slurred speech, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, headache, lethargy, numbness of fingers and toes, dry and itchy skin, loss of consciousness, seizures, brain damage, and even death.

How are over-the-counter drugs used?
Cough and cold medicines, which come in tablets, capsules, gel caps, and lozenges as well as syrups, are swallowed in large doses to achieve intoxication. DXM can also be extracted from cough and cold medicines, turned into a powder, and snorted.

What other names do people use for over-the-counter drugs?
Candy, c-c-c, dex, DM, drex, red devils, robo, robotripping, rojo, triple c, tussin, velvet, and vitamin D.

What are the signs of use?
Signs of cold or cough medicine abuse include missing medicine or empty medicine containers, intoxication, lethargy, spaciness, slurred
speech, and redness of face.

How bad is it? What are the long-term effects?
Excessive use of DXM can produce hallucinogenic and other psychiatric effects and can lead to brain damage and death.

How addictive is it?
Regular and ongoing use of cough and cold medicines can lead to psychological dependance.