drdªv€
11-10-2006, 01:10 PM
Friday, November 10, 2006
Over 12 500 Americans were treated in US hospital emergency departments after taking dextromethorphan (DXM), an ingredient in many over-the-counter cough medicines, experts from the US Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reported Thursday.
Nearly half (5 581) of cases were attributed to nonmedical use, and of those cases, 48 percent occurred in patients between 12 and 20 years of age, the SAMHSA report found. This group had more than double the rate of DXM-related hospital visits as people in other age groups (7.1 vs. 2.6 visits per 100 000 people, respectively).
"This report shows that there can be severe, even life-threatening consequences associated with the mis-use of some over-the-counter medicines," SAMHSA Acting Deputy Administrator Dr Eric Broderick said in a statement.
According to the agency, DXM is considered safe at recommended doses, but in large amounts it can produce a hallucinatory high similar to psychotropic drugs. Adverse effects include blurred vision, poor co-ordination, abdominal pain and rapid heartbeat.
In May 2005, the US Food and Drug Administration issued a warning on DXM abuse following the death of 5 teenagers who may have consumed pure DXM in powdered, capsule form. –
http://www.health24.com/news/Medications_M...-927,38279.asp# (http://www.health24.com/news/Medications_Medicines/1-927,38279.asp#)
Over 12 500 Americans were treated in US hospital emergency departments after taking dextromethorphan (DXM), an ingredient in many over-the-counter cough medicines, experts from the US Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reported Thursday.
Nearly half (5 581) of cases were attributed to nonmedical use, and of those cases, 48 percent occurred in patients between 12 and 20 years of age, the SAMHSA report found. This group had more than double the rate of DXM-related hospital visits as people in other age groups (7.1 vs. 2.6 visits per 100 000 people, respectively).
"This report shows that there can be severe, even life-threatening consequences associated with the mis-use of some over-the-counter medicines," SAMHSA Acting Deputy Administrator Dr Eric Broderick said in a statement.
According to the agency, DXM is considered safe at recommended doses, but in large amounts it can produce a hallucinatory high similar to psychotropic drugs. Adverse effects include blurred vision, poor co-ordination, abdominal pain and rapid heartbeat.
In May 2005, the US Food and Drug Administration issued a warning on DXM abuse following the death of 5 teenagers who may have consumed pure DXM in powdered, capsule form. –
http://www.health24.com/news/Medications_M...-927,38279.asp# (http://www.health24.com/news/Medications_Medicines/1-927,38279.asp#)