Stimulants: Dextromethorphan (DXM)

What is it?

Dextromethorphan (DXM) is an ingredient found in any cold medicine with the “DM” or “TUSS” in the title or name. In fact, DXM is in almost half of all of the OTC drugs sold in the United States, making it easy to get, cheap, and legal.

Brand/Commercial Names

Any Cold Medicine with “DM” or “TUSS” in the title such as:

Dimetapp DM®
Nyquil®
Robitussin®
Theraflu®
Vick’s Formula 44®

Street Names

Orange Crush
Triple C’s
C-C-C
Red Devils
Skittles
Dex
Vitamin D
Robo
Robo-trippin
Robo-dosing

Looks Like

Cough medicine sold over the counter in drug stores and general stores

How it is Administered/Used

Swallowed
Snorted

Dangerous Because

Serious side effects include: Nausea, loss of coordination, headache, vomiting, loss of consciousness, numbness of fingers and toes, abdominal pain, irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, seizures, panic attacks, psychosis, brain damage, addiction, insomnia, coma, death

Teen Usage

1 in 10 teens have abused cough medicine to get high

Important to Know

Only 48 percent of teens believe taking cough medicine to get high is risky.

Kids as young as 12 years are trying or using prescription drugs to get high.

Signs of Abuse

Nausea, loss of coordination, headache, vomiting, slurred speech, disassociation