Abstract
Dextromethorphan (DM) is a popular over-the-counter antitussive medication. Although adverse effects from appropriate use are rare, a specific toxidrome with significant psychomimetic effects occurs with ingestions in excess of those recommended. Both DM and its active metabolite, dextrorphan (DOR), share pharmacologic and neuro-behavioral properties similar to opiates and phencyclidine (PCP). As such, cases of recreational DM abuse and, rarely, dependence, have been reported, and some data suggest that such abuse is on the rise. DM may be considered by substance abusers, especially adolescents, to be a dissociative agent devoid of financial concerns, legal limitations, negative stigma, problems with access or adverse health consequences. However, DM's popularity among adolescent substance abusers is generally not matched by adequate health care provider awareness, pharmacological understanding or epidemiological characterization. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of DM's addiction medicine-based neuropharmacology and epidemiology, describe social characteristics more unique to DM as an agent of abuse, review treatment and prevention issues, and identify areas in need of further research.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 55-75 |
| Number of pages | 21 |
| Journal | Journal of Child and Adolescent Substance Abuse |
| Volume | 14 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 2005 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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Keywords
- Cough medicine
- Dextromethorphan
- Dextromethorphan abuse
- Dextromethorphan dependence
- Non-prescription medication
- Substance abuse
- Substance related disorders
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Development
- Social Psychology
- Psychology(all)
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
Cite this
The abuse liability of dextromethorphan among adolescents : A review. / Bobo, William V; Miller, Shannon C.; Martin, Bryant D.
In: Journal of Child and Adolescent Substance Abuse, Vol. 14, No. 4, 2005, p. 55-75.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - The abuse liability of dextromethorphan among adolescents
T2 - A review
AU - Bobo, William V
AU - Miller, Shannon C.
AU - Martin, Bryant D.
PY - 2005
Y1 - 2005
N2 - Dextromethorphan (DM) is a popular over-the-counter antitussive medication. Although adverse effects from appropriate use are rare, a specific toxidrome with significant psychomimetic effects occurs with ingestions in excess of those recommended. Both DM and its active metabolite, dextrorphan (DOR), share pharmacologic and neuro-behavioral properties similar to opiates and phencyclidine (PCP). As such, cases of recreational DM abuse and, rarely, dependence, have been reported, and some data suggest that such abuse is on the rise. DM may be considered by substance abusers, especially adolescents, to be a dissociative agent devoid of financial concerns, legal limitations, negative stigma, problems with access or adverse health consequences. However, DM's popularity among adolescent substance abusers is generally not matched by adequate health care provider awareness, pharmacological understanding or epidemiological characterization. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of DM's addiction medicine-based neuropharmacology and epidemiology, describe social characteristics more unique to DM as an agent of abuse, review treatment and prevention issues, and identify areas in need of further research.
AB - Dextromethorphan (DM) is a popular over-the-counter antitussive medication. Although adverse effects from appropriate use are rare, a specific toxidrome with significant psychomimetic effects occurs with ingestions in excess of those recommended. Both DM and its active metabolite, dextrorphan (DOR), share pharmacologic and neuro-behavioral properties similar to opiates and phencyclidine (PCP). As such, cases of recreational DM abuse and, rarely, dependence, have been reported, and some data suggest that such abuse is on the rise. DM may be considered by substance abusers, especially adolescents, to be a dissociative agent devoid of financial concerns, legal limitations, negative stigma, problems with access or adverse health consequences. However, DM's popularity among adolescent substance abusers is generally not matched by adequate health care provider awareness, pharmacological understanding or epidemiological characterization. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of DM's addiction medicine-based neuropharmacology and epidemiology, describe social characteristics more unique to DM as an agent of abuse, review treatment and prevention issues, and identify areas in need of further research.
KW - Cough medicine
KW - Dextromethorphan
KW - Dextromethorphan abuse
KW - Dextromethorphan dependence
KW - Non-prescription medication
KW - Substance abuse
KW - Substance related disorders
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=26944458820&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=26944458820&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1300/J029v14n04_04
DO - 10.1300/J029v14n04_04
M3 - Article
VL - 14
SP - 55
EP - 75
JO - Journal of Child and Adolescent Substance Abuse
JF - Journal of Child and Adolescent Substance Abuse
SN - 1067-828X
IS - 4
ER -