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02-21-2005, 12:09 PM
DXM Found In Over-The-Counter Cough Suppressants
POSTED: 6:37 pm EST February 18, 2005
UPDATED: 8:37 pm EST February 18, 2005
CINCINNATI -- Officials are warning Tri-state parents of a new drug trend among their kids.
Video
New Drug Trend Surfaces Among Tri-State Teens
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It's so easy for teens to get, and local pharmacists are worried because the drugs are also inexpensive.
Teens call it robotripping or skittling. It's a high they can pick up anywhere and the effect may range from distortion of colors and sounds to visual hallucinations, News 5's Juliette Vara reported.
It's a drug called dextromethorphan, or DXM, and is found in cough suppressants like Robitussin, Nyquil and Tylenol Cold and Flu.
When taken responsibly, it's OK, but when abused, it can be deadly.
In 2003, the Drug and Poison Center in Cincinnati took 460 calls about teens abusing the medication.
"It's legal, so it's a draw to teenagers (who) aren't (old) enough to drink," said Debra Roll, drug and poison specialist.
Roll said the most disturbing part is how easy the drug is to get.
For just $10, anyone can get 1 gram of DXM online. It may not sound like much, but it's not diluted as it is in over-the-counter medicines.
It's so pure that taking 1 gram is like drinking three bottles of cough syrup, Vara reported.
According to doctors, DXM combined with alcohol or other drugs can quickly become deadly.
Experts said signs of problems are when children hide cough medicine, if they smell like cough syrup often or if they fake cough symptoms to get the medicine.
LINK: http://www.channelcincinnati.com/health/42...495/detail.html (http://www.channelcincinnati.com/health/4213495/detail.html)
POSTED: 6:37 pm EST February 18, 2005
UPDATED: 8:37 pm EST February 18, 2005
CINCINNATI -- Officials are warning Tri-state parents of a new drug trend among their kids.
Video
New Drug Trend Surfaces Among Tri-State Teens
Download RealPlayer
It's so easy for teens to get, and local pharmacists are worried because the drugs are also inexpensive.
Teens call it robotripping or skittling. It's a high they can pick up anywhere and the effect may range from distortion of colors and sounds to visual hallucinations, News 5's Juliette Vara reported.
It's a drug called dextromethorphan, or DXM, and is found in cough suppressants like Robitussin, Nyquil and Tylenol Cold and Flu.
When taken responsibly, it's OK, but when abused, it can be deadly.
In 2003, the Drug and Poison Center in Cincinnati took 460 calls about teens abusing the medication.
"It's legal, so it's a draw to teenagers (who) aren't (old) enough to drink," said Debra Roll, drug and poison specialist.
Roll said the most disturbing part is how easy the drug is to get.
For just $10, anyone can get 1 gram of DXM online. It may not sound like much, but it's not diluted as it is in over-the-counter medicines.
It's so pure that taking 1 gram is like drinking three bottles of cough syrup, Vara reported.
According to doctors, DXM combined with alcohol or other drugs can quickly become deadly.
Experts said signs of problems are when children hide cough medicine, if they smell like cough syrup often or if they fake cough symptoms to get the medicine.
LINK: http://www.channelcincinnati.com/health/42...495/detail.html (http://www.channelcincinnati.com/health/4213495/detail.html)