Safety Alert: Teens & OTC Drug Abuse

January 23, 2018 1:10 pm Published by

An estimated one in 30 teens abuses dextromethorphan, or DXM, the most commonly used cough suppressant in the U.S.  It is found in more than 100 products, including those from Robitussin, Theraflu, Triaminic, and Vicks.

In high doses, DXM can cause hallucinations and a sense of euphoria.  It can also cause a range of serious side effects, including rapid heartbeat and sedation.

Many OTC drugs that contain DXM also contain antihistamines, decongestants, and other ingredients, and high doses of these combination products multiply the risk of harmful side effects.  Abuse of the drug sends an estimated 6,000 teens to the ER each year and can be fatal.

If you have a teen, you may want to keep track of DXM-containing drugs in your home.  Watch to see if he or she visits websites where people discuss using the drug.  And look for signs of abuse, including confusion, physical impairment, nausea, vomiting, and slurred speech.

For more on this problem, go to CR.org/dxmabuse0118.  And for advice on cold and flu drugs in children generally go to CR.org/kidsandcolds0118.

NOTE:  This article appeared in the January 2018 issue of Consumer Reports.  Editor’s Note:  This special report and supporting materials were made possible by a grant from the state Attorney General Consumer and Prescriber Education Grant Program, which is funded by a multistate settlement of consumer fraud claims regarding the marketing of the prescription drug Neurontin (gabapentin).