Dextromethorphan, or DXM, is a non-prescription oral medication available in the United States that is sometimes misused for recreational purposes. Similar to codeine in its chemical structure, DXM functions in the brain to suppress coughing without the pain-relieving or addictive qualities of codeine. It is a common component in over 125 over-the-counter cough and cold remedies, including various versions of Robitussin, Coricidin, and Vicks.These DXM-containing medications are frequently used by teenagers and young adults seeking a high. From 2000 to 2003, the number of DXM overdoses in the U.S. doubled. While DXM is safe when used in the recommended 15 to 30-milligram doses for cough or cold relief, consuming large amounts (such as 100 milligrams or more) can lead to hallucinations and a distorted sense of reality.Symptoms of DXM misuse include confusion, poor judgment, blurred vision, dizziness, paranoia, excessive sweating, slurred speech, seizures, fever, nausea, and vomiting. In some instances, overdoses and fatalities have occurred when caregivers administered large, inappropriate doses of DXM-containing medications to very young children.On the street, DXM products are referred to as Skittles, Red Devils, Robo (derived from Robitussin), or Triple C's. The experience of getting high on dextromethorphan is often called "robotripping" or "skittling."
