NCJ Number
221516
Date Published
January 2008
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This report examines the prevalence and patterns of over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold medication misuse among persons aged 12 to 25.
Abstract
Dextromethorphan (DMX) is found in more than 140 OTC cough and cold medications; when taken in larger doses than the recommended amount, it produces hallucinations and dissociative experiences. Abuse of DMX among American youths aged 12 to 17, and young adults aged 18 to 25 has become a matter of concern in a number of State and metropolitan areas due to increased calls to poison control centers involving DMX. The 2006 National Survey on Drug Use and Health asked adolescents aged 12 or older questions related to their use of OTC cough and cold medications during their lifetime (lifetime or ever used) in the past 12 months for the purpose of getting high. Adolescents who reported that they used OTC cough or cold medications to get high in the past year were asked to specify the names of up to five OTC medications that they had used for this purpose: 30.5 percent misused a NyQuil product, 18.1 percent misused a Coricidin product, and 17.8 percent misused a Robitussin product. About 3.1 million persons aged 12 to 25 had misused OTC cough and cold medications at least once in their lifetime. Among persons aged 12 to 25 who had ever misused OTC cough and cold medications, 81.9 percent were lifetime users of marijuana. Slightly less than one-half were lifetime users of the hallucinogens LSD, PCP, Ecstasy, or were users of inhalants. Among youths aged 12 to 17, females were more likely than males to have misused OTC cough and cold medications in the past year, but among young adults aged 18 to 25, males were more likely than females to have misused these medications. Table, figures, notes