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Dextromethorphan (DXM) is a cough suppressant found in many over-the-counter (OTC) cold and cough products. When used at recommended doses, DXM is generally considered safe and effective for controlling cough. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), an alarming number of teenagers and young adults are abusing DXM by taking large doses to get 'high.' Taking large doses of DXM is very dangerous and may cause severe vomiting, impaired decision making, confusion, loss of coordination, muscle spasms, hallucinations, loss of consciousness, rapid heart beat, seizures, brain damage and even death. Some common street names or slang terms for DXM are Triple C, Candy, Dex, Red Devils, Skittles, Tussin, Vitamin D, Velvet, Robo, and Syrup.
Could my child be abusing DXM? Signs to watch for include:
A decline in grades
Changes in behavior, appearance or mood
Cold and cough products disappearing from the medicine cabinet
Taking cold and cough products even when he or she does not appear to be ill
Finding large amounts of empty cold and cough bottles, pill blisters or boxes in the trash
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