According to CADCA E-News dated 12/12/’02, titled Teens Are Getting High Off Cold Medication.
Dextromethorphan (cough syrup) abuse is well documented. Teens are often looking for new ways to get high, and are now turning to over-the-counter cold remedies, such as Robitussin to get a buzz, the Associated Press reported earlier this week. In fact, police in New Hampshire have called the problem a "mini epidemic" in their state. Fourteen people died last year in the United States by overdosing on cold medicine. Experts say the most dangerous cold medicine abused by teens goes by the brand name Coricidin "Cold and Cough"; abusers call it "Triple C's" or "Candy."
Users can experience psychedelic effects when they take drugs that contain DXM, dextromethorphan, in large doses. Those who misuse medication that contains chlorpheniramine maleate could suffer brain damage, or even die, when it is taken in large doses. Another example of cold medicine abuse is called Robo Fire.
Robo Fire
Background:
Now there are reports of youth throughout the state of Ohio abusing Robitussin, Coricidin HBP, dextromethorphan (DXM), and other sources of dextromethorphan in combination with inhalants. The abuse of cough syrup has been around for years, but combining it with inhalants is a very dangerous emerging issue that must be addressed. What makes this enticing for children is the ease of availability. Robitussin and lighter fluid are both readily available products in grocery stores, Super Marts, convenience stores and drug stores. How these products are being used is under debate. One theory is that the users first drink the Robitussin and then huff the Naptha from lighter fluid. A second possibility relates to a process extracting dextromethorphan (DXM), the active ingredient producing a high from the Robitussin, by using a cutting agent such as Naptha. This concentrates the DXM thus eliminating the large quantities of cough syrup needed to be ingested. Many abusers dislike taking available liquid preparations due to their relatively low concentrations, unpleasant taste, and propensity to cause vomiting. In response to this aversion, underground chemists have developed an extraction technique called Agent Lemon.
What to look for:
Look for bottles of cough syrup in the child’s room, lockers, or car. Empty bottles of lighter fluid may also be found. Strong ammonia smells are often present during the extraction process. Some users report long periods of sleep after coming down from the DXM high.
Product Information:
Symptoms of use include hallucinations, ataxia and numbness. Mental status and gait may be affected as well. Four ounces of dextromethorphan cough syrup may contain from 120mg to 720mg of DXM, depending on the formulation. These quantities are sufficient to cause intoxication. Case reports identify abuse patterns from 4 ozs. (1/2 bottle) up to 3 to 4 bottles per day. The mood-altering effects have been described as similar to those of crack or LSD with cartoon-like hallucinations at higher doses. The typical presentation of DXM intoxication involves hyper excitability, lethargy, ataxia, slurred speech, sweating, hypertension, and/or nystagmus (involuntary eye movement). A urine drug screen given to an individual who has ingested dextromethorphan may lead to a false positive result for PCP (phencyclidine). A confirmatory test can verify these results.
Product information input from: Gaylene Tsipis and Earl Siegel, Co-Directors, Cincinnati Drug & Poison Information Center (1-800-222-1222).
This warning is being sent to inform parents, prevention and treatment professionals, law enforcement and educators of this emerging trend. Please distribute this information through list serves, newsletters
For additional information on the above alert contact The Ohio Resource Network for Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities, P.O. Box 210109, 2624 Clifton Ave Cincinnati, Ohio 45221-0109 Phone # 1-800-788-7254 (opt#2).
To participate in this OEWN initiative, visit www.ebasedprevention.org and fill out the OEWN registration form (listserv). Anyone in Ohio can report an issue to the Ohio Early Warning Network by calling the toll-free non-emergency InfoLine at 1-866-OhioEWN.
This alert is brought to you by the Ohio Department of Education, Safe and Drug Free Schools Program, the Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addictions Services, Division of Prevention Services, the Ohio National Guard and the Ohio Resource Network for Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities
The information appearing on this alert is presented for educational purposes only. While the information published on this site is believed to be accurate, it is not intended to substitute for your own informational gathering or professional medical advice.
