Apr. 28, 2006

While the federal government and several states have cracked down on the building blocks for the production of methamphetamines, there are other over-the- counter medications that provide an easy way to get high.

Dextromethorphan, more commonly known as DXM, is a cough suppressant found in several over-the-counter cough remedies. When consumed in excess, the morphine-based drug produces a hallucinogenic effect. It can also cause seizures, sometimes resulting in death.

"Robo-tripping," a name derived from Robitussin cough medicine, is the shorthand name used by those -- mainly teens -- who engage in the experience of consuming a large amount of DXM.

"It's a cheap way to get the hallucinatory and the sensory effect of PCP," said Gerald A. Maccioli, the chairman of critical care medicine for the American Society of Anesthesiologists. He is the Medical Director of the Medical/Surgical Intensive Care Unit at Rex Healthcare.

Maccioli said that unlike the preparatory work that goes into the production of meth, DXM is an easy and inexpensive way to get high. Meth production involves extracting the drug through a mixture of potentially toxic chemicals and leaves behind a significant amount of dangerous waste.

It's difficult to track the scope of the problem. Emergency room visits for abuse don't raise the same red flags as illegal or prescription drug abuse, Maccioli said.

Coricidin, Vicks NyQuil and Vicks Formula 44 are other common over-the-counter drugs that contain DXM.

Some signs of DXM abuse are high body temperature, dry mouth, blurred vision, hallucinations, delusions, nausea, stomach pains, vomiting, irregular heart beat, high blood pressure, loss of consciousness.

To view a video on DXM from the American Society of Anesthesiologists, visit: www.asahq.org/patient Education/vnr5.htm

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