Posts Tagged DXM abuse

Risks of Dextromethorphan Abuse

Posted by Drug Free in Drug Addiction, Prescription Drug Abuse on April 2nd, 2010

Dextromethorphan or DXM is a widely available cough suppressant. If used as a cough suppressant, it is both safe and effective. However, some people take DXM in amounts far above its recommended medical dosage. When taken excessively, it can be then be classified as a dissociative drug.

DXM dosesIn small recreational amounts, DXM causes a psychedelic effect similar to the combination of alcohol, marijuana, and opiates. Those who take DXM in greater amounts may experience intense euphoria, closed-eye hallucinations, out-of-body experiences or even psychosis. It may cause serious damage to the brain that could result to lost or distorted contact with reality.This can also affect a person’s ability to think, respond, communicate and interpret reality effectively.

Other side effects include vomiting, nausea, drowsiness, blurred vision, dilated pupils, sweating, fever, disassociation, confusion, excitation, slurred speech, urinary retention, shallow respiration, hypertension, and increase in heart rate.

The effects of using DXM for recreation purposes would last as long as it would have lasted when taken for medical purposes. This length of time really depends on the user’s tolerance and the type of DXM taken. How much one has taken has little effect on the length of time the effects of DXM are experienced. If one takes more DXM, it would make the effects more intense, but not necessarily make the effects last longer.

DXM also goes with the following common names: tussin, robo, dex, syrup, rome, cherries, skittles, ccc, triple C, and candy coated chaos.

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Commonly Abused Prescription Drugs

Posted by Drug Free in Prescription Drug Abuse on March 21st, 2010

Prescription drug abuse is a growing threat in society. There are four main types of prescription medication that are commonly abused: opiods, sedatives and tranquilizers, stimulants and over-the-counter medications (although this does not really require a medical prescription, allow us to include it in this list for the purpose of discussion).

prescription drugsOpiods are prescribed painkillers that are usually given to patients who undergo chronic and persistent pain. They usually are prescribed to help in pain management and are used to bring feelings of euphoria to the patient. These drugs usually include oxycodone or morphine, Percodan, Vicodin and medications that contain codeine.

Sedatives and tranquilizers are often prescribed to patients who suffer from panic or anxiety attacks, sleeplessness or insomnia and excessive restlessness. The drugs produce a sensation of peace and relaxation. Sedative intoxication usually exhibits similar effects as alcohol but has a more dangerous list of side effects that include delirium and seizures. Drugs that are abused include
Xanax, Nembutal and Valium.

Stimulants include diet pills and medication that are prescribed to ADD or ADHD patients. These drugs are used by abusers to increase performance and to get a “high”. These drugs are also effective in suppressing the appetite and are used to facilitate weight loss, as well as to increase focus, attention and energy.

Over-the-counter drugs or OTC are medications that are available at any pharmacy or grocery that can be sold without a prescription. These drugs are usually remedies for colds, cough or regular pain. One type of OTC drugs is a medication that contains Dextromethorphan (DXM), which is found in cough syrups. If taken in massive doses, DXM can produce dangerous side effects including loss of coordination, dizziness, hot flashes, hallucinations, brain damage, seizure, even death.

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Medicine Cabinet at Home May Be Source of Drug Abuse

Posted by Drug Free in Drug Addiction on December 8th, 2009

Many parents have become more aware of the dangers of recreational drugs that kids have been exposed to nowadays, but a good number don’t realize that the danger is not just found outside of the home. There is a dangerous substance that parents may unknowingly supply to their kids — the cough syrup or tablets sitting innocently inside the medicine cabinet.

cough syrupCough syrups and pills are conveniently available in drug stores, supermarkets and most of the time, also at home. It is used to treat coughing, either to loosen the mucus from the respiratory tract or to suppress the act of coughing itself. While it is actually a substance of significant use, it can also be dangerous when ingested in large amounts.

Dextromethorphan (DXM or DM) is an active ingredient in many cough and cold medicines.  The average dose contains about 15 to 30 milligrams. When taken at doses greater than medically recommended, DXM can be classified as a psychedelic substance. The intake of DXM in large amounts can result to nausea, irregular heartbeat, blurred vision and slurred speech, hallucinations, loss of consciousness, or even death.

Manufacturers have already made the taste of their cough syrups unpleasant to discourage recreational use. While this is a good move, there are still other options kids can take. Kids don’t have to drink a bottle of cough syrup to feel the effects of DXM. Also available are pills with far more potent doses of DXM.

Dextromethorphan also becomes particularly more dangerous when taken with other drugs.

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