What Every Parent Q. What products contain DXM? There are well over 100 OTC products that contain A Parent’s Needs to Know About DXM. Some examples include Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold & Cough Medicine, Coricidin HBP Cough and Cold, Cough Medicine Abuse Dayquil LiquiCaps, Dimetapp DM, Robitussin cough Guide to… products, Sudafed cough products, Triaminic cough Some young people are abusing over-the-counter syrups, Tylenol Cold products, Vicks 44 Cough, and (OTC) medicines containing dextromethorphan Vicks NyQuil LiquiCaps. There also are a number of (DXM). While abuse of these products is not wide- store brands that contain DXM. To know if a product Preventing spread, every parent should be aware of the facts contains DXM, look for dextromethorphan in the ac- Teen Cough about DXM. tive ingredient section of the label. Q: What is DXM? Q: What are slang terms for dextromethorphan? DXM is a safe and effective cough suppressant ingre- Slang terms for dextromethorphan vary by product Medicine dient found in OTC cough medicines. When used and region. The most common terms include: Dex, according to directions, products containing DXM DXM, Robo, Skittles, Syrup, Triple-C, and Tussin. Abuse produce few side effects and have a long history of Terms for using dextromethorphan include: Robo-ing, safety and effectiveness. Robo-tripping, and Skittling. Some teens are attempting to get high by taking much Q: How common is DXM abuse? larger than recommended doses of DXM in the form There is currently no adequate prevalence information of OTC cough syrup, tablets, and gel caps. on DXM abuse; however, abuse of cough medicines containing DXM is described as sporadic by the U.S. If you suspect a poisoning, Q: What are the effects of DXM abuse? Drug Enforcement Administration, and is estimated to call your local poison control center at The effects of DXM abuse vary with the amount be low compared to other drugs. 1.800.222.1222. taken. Common effects include confusion, dizziness, double or blurred vision, slurred speech, impaired There is little in current teen culture—music, movies, To learn more about drug prevention and physical coordination, abdominal pain, nausea and fashion, and entertainment—that promotes or even to support the Partnership, vomiting, rapid heart beat, drowsiness, numbness mentions cough medicine abuse. The one exception is visit www.drugfree.org/dxm. of fingers and toes, and disorientation. DXM abus- the Internet. ers describe different “plateaus” ranging from mild For additional copies of this brochure, distortions of color and sound to visual hallucinations Q: What types of DXM sites are found online? call 1.202.429.3529 or and “out-of-body,” dissociative sensations, and loss of A number of web sites promote the abuse of DXM. visit www.chpa-info.org. motor control. The information on these sites ranges from recom- mending how much to take, suggesting other drugs DXM also is sometimes abused in to combine with DXM, instructing how to extract combination with other medications, DXM from cough medicines, and even selling a pow- alcohol, and illegal drugs, der form of DXM for snorting. Other sites display Made possible by a grant from which can increase the art, movies, and music produced by people promot- dangerous side effects. ing DXM and other forms of drug abuse. You should be aware of what your teen is doing on the Internet, the web sites he or she visits, and the amount of time Consumer Healthcare Products Association he or she is logged on. Partnership for a Drug-Free America® What Parents Can Do to Prevent Drug Abuse Parents can make a positive difference in their teens’ To talk credibly and effectively about the dangers of Helping a Child Who Is lives. Research has shown that parents can influence drugs, parents need to know what they are. Teens will their teens’ decisions about drugs. know when they’re being lied to, so know the facts. To Using Drugs learn about the various drugs teens can abuse—includ- Sit down with your child for an open discussion about Monitoring is an effective way you can help your teen ing DXM—and their risks, visit the Drug Resource at alcohol and drug use. Openly voice your suspicions stay drug-free, and an important thing to do even www.drugfree.org. to your child but avoid direct accusations. Do not if you don’t suspect your teen is using drugs. Moni- have this conversation when your child is under the toring means asking young people questions about Know Where Your Teen Is influence of alcohol or other drugs, and make sure you where they’re going, what they’re doing, and with sound calm and rational. Ask your child what’s been whom they’re spending time, as well as keeping tabs It’s important to know where your teen is and what he going on in his or her life. Discuss ways to avoid using on their Internet use by using web browser tools and or she is doing. Research has shown that children with- alcohol and other drugs in the future. If you need help software designed to block certain sites. Put some out adult supervision are at significantly greater risk during this conversation, ask another family member, of these tips to use, and your kids will benefit with of truancy from school, stress, receiving poor grades, your child’s guidance counselor, or physician. healthy lifestyles. risk-taking behavior, and substance abuse. Recognize Signs Your Teen Is Using Drugs Be firm and enforce whatever discipline you’ve laid out in the past for breaking house rules. You also Talk with Your Teen Get Your Teen Involved in Activities Parents don’t always recognize their kids might be should discuss ways your child can regain your lost Research has shown that youths who participate in using drugs. While it can be hard to know, there are Kids who say they learn a lot about the risks of drugs trust: calling in, spending evenings at home, or im- team sports are less likely to use marijuana than those some general warning signs you can watch for. The at home are up to 50 percent less likely to try drugs. proving grades. Parents should talk often, listen regularly, and com- who do not participate. Find out what adult-super- fact is, any teen could be using drugs, so stay alert. As vised activities—like after-school sports or clubs—in- a general rule, changes that are sudden or extreme may municate clearly that they do not want their kids using If you think your child needs professional help, your terest your teen and help get him or her involved. be a warning sign. drugs. Remember: Your teen is counting on you to be doctor, hospital, or school nurse or counselor may be the grown-up. able to help. Or you can call 1.800.662.HELP or visit Signs your teen could be using drugs: Know Your Teen’s Friends http://findtreatment.samhsa.gov, the treatment locator Research from the Partnership for a Drug-Free • Change in friends hotline and web site of the U.S. Substance Abuse and America® reports that more than half of teens say they • Change in eating or sleeping patterns Mental Health Services Administration. have close friends who get high regularly. Are these the • Changes in physical appearance and hygiene close friends your teen hangs out with? • Declining grades Be Pro-Active • Loss of interest in hobbies or favorite Drug use is a choice, but it is a choice you can influ- activities ence. For example, teens report one of the greatest risks • Hostile and uncooperative attitude related to smoking pot is upsetting their parents. Par- • Unexplained disappearance of ents need to talk with—not at—their teens about the household money dangers of using drugs. So, monitor your teen’s time, • Visits to pro-drug web sites friends, and activities, even if you don’t think your teen is using drugs. • Empty drug or medicine containers or drug paraphernalia • Unusual chemical or medicinal smells on your child or in his or her room.