The Food and Drug Administration released its review of dextromethorphan, the ingredient found in more than 100 over-the-counter medications often abused for its euphoric effects. The "robotripping" involves taking more than 25 times the recommended dose of a cold medicine to get high.
High doses of the drug causes increased blood pressure, heart rate and fever. Abusers can also suffer side effects from other ingredients mixed in cough medicines, like acetaminophen, which can cause damage to the liver.
"Because of the drug’s perceived safety, ease of availability, and desired psychoactive effects it is sought after by those seeking to alter their mental state," states the FDA review.
Inappropriate use of dextromethophan was linked to almost 8,000 emergency room visits in 2008. That is a more than 70 percent jump from emergency room visits in 2004. Dextromethorphan is abused less often than codein but more often than pseudoephedrine, an ingredient in cold medicines that can be made into methamphetamine. On Sept. 14 the FDA will ask an independent panel to decide whether dextromethorphan should be available only as a prescription. That is not expected to happen, partly due to the increased workload it would mean for physicians and pharmacists.
An alternative could involve putting the drugs behind the pharmacy counter. The FDA review, however, did not outline any specific proposals. The over-the-counter medicine industry supports prohibiting sales of the drugs to those under 18 years old. These age restrictions require legal changes and the industry’s trade associate has lobbied on the issue at the state and federal levels.
