dextromethorphan

Street Names

• robo
• skittles
• tussin
• triple C
• CCC
• DXM
• orange crush
• red devils
• robo-trippin’

Description
Dextromethorphan is found in over-the-counter cough and cold medicines. It is a cough suppressant and, when used properly following a doctor’s instructions or the recommended dosage, it can be safe and effective. When abused, dextromethorphan takes on qualities of a dissociative drug. This means that it produces feelings of detachment in a person, as well as distorting a person's perception of sight and sound. Abuse of dextromethorphan occurs when someone is ingesting an amount that exceeds the recommended dosage.

Origin and medical usage
Dextromethorphan is a synthetic drug, and is made in the labs of pharmaceutical companies. It is legally available in many different drug stores. It first appeared in the 1960s as a replacement for codeine in cough syrups due to codeine’s addictive qualities. It is used today as a cough suppressant in many over-the-counter cold medicines.

Short-term effects
The short-term effects of dextromethorphan include, but are not limited to, blurred vision, numbness, muscle spasms, heart attack, confusion, dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, increased heart rate, slurred speech, psychosis, hallucinations, anxiety, sexual dysfunction, anxiety, poor co-ordination, over heating, itchy skin and rash.

Long-term effects
The long-term side-effects of dextromethorphan abuse are not yet fully known, but it is believed that dextromethorphan abuse may cause things such as depression, liver problems, psychosis and learning and memory problems. As well, abusing dextromethorphan can lead to coma or death.

Perceived Benefits of Misuse/Abuse

• Euphoria
• Sense of heightened perceptual awareness
• Altered time perception
• Visual hallucinations

Withdrawal

Withdrawal is what happens when a person stops taking dextromethorphan. Symptoms of dextromethorphan withdrawal include restlessness, insomnia, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle aches, cold flashes, bone aches, depression, problems with memory and thinking, and drug craving.

Legal status
Dextromethorphan is sold legally in Canada in over-the-counter cough medicine in pharmacies and stores.

Signs that a person might be using
Signs that a person may be using dextromethorphan include, but are not limited to, mood swings, a change in behaviour, trouble speaking, trouble walking straight, the appearance of being drunk, a decrease in school or work performance, finding over-the-counter drugs in the person's room or backpack, over-the-counter drugs disappearing from the cabinet, and taking cold medications when not ill.