Learn more about Drug & Alcohol Detox at Allure

Detox.

Call now for confidential help

Home (855)
/ Blog299-8782
/ DXM
(Dextromethorphan)
Withdrawal Symptoms

DXM
(DEXTROMETHORPHAN
WITHDRAWAL
SYMPTOMS

Dextromethorphan, or DXM,
is the active ingredient in
85% – 90 % of over-the-
counter cold medications
and cough suppressants.
DXM is combined with other
cold and cough formulas of
decongestants,
antihistamines, analgesics,
and expectorants.

It was approved as an
antitussive in 1958 and is still
available today as an over-
the-counter medication.
When used as directed, DXM
is recognized by the FDA as
safe and effective and can
eliminate or ease coughing
for 5 to 6 hours. To date, DXM
is not scheduled under the
Controlled Substances Act
(CSA).

DXM is an NMDA (N-methyl-

D-aspartate) antagonist and
is a derivative of codeine. It is
an opioid; however, it does
not trigger the opioid
receptors in the brain.
Because of this, it is
considered a safer
alternative to codeine with
less potential for abuse.
Unfortunately, DXM has
become one of the more
heavily abused drugs,
especially with younger
generations. It is legal, easy
to obtain, and readily
available, making the
“common cold” medicine a
favorite drug of choice for
teenagers.

Drug abuse experts estimate

that more than 3 million
teenagers have used DXM to
get high. Because it is seen
as “just a cold medicine,”
many teens do not perceive
its danger; however, studies
now show that over half of
young people in treatment
programs have
experimented with DXM at
some point.

DXM Abuse and

Addiction

The National Institute of

Drug Abuse began studying
the abuse of DXM amongst
teens in 2006 and found
that online forums fueled
the rise of the abuse. The
internet has become a
source for teens to share
their experiences while
taking higher doses of the
drug, including YouTube
videos. There are many slang
terms for DXM, including
Dex, Triple C, Robo Trippin,
Tussin, Roboing, Robodosing,
Robocopping. There are
websites sharing dosage
levels for hallucination and
recipes for “DXM cocktails.”

The typical dose of DXM,

when taken as directed, is 10
to 20 mg every four to six
hours or 30 mg every six to
eight hours. The amount
when trying to reach the
“high” ranges from 250 to
1500 mg. Those abusing the
drug can take several bottles
in one day. The effects of
taking far more than the
recommended dose are
similar to those caused by
ketamine or PCP. High doses
of DXM lead to psychoactive
effects, eliciting euphoria
and dysphoria, visual
hallucinations, loss of motor
skills, dissociative sedation,
nausea, and vomiting.
During their robotripping
episodes, the user
experiences visual and
auditory hallucinations,
euphoria, and dissociation.

Dangerous DXM
Side Effects and
Withdrawal
Symptoms

DXM abuse can lead to long-

term side effects, potential
overdose, and addiction.
There is a risk for overdose
when purposefully taking
higher than recommended
dosages of the drug.
Symptoms of a DXM
overdose include blurry
vision, seizures,
hallucinations, muscle
twitches, irregular heart rate,
coma, and even death.

In addition to the dangers of

DXM, many users experience
life-threatening side effects
due to the other ingredients
in cough medicine, like
acetaminophen. This is
extremely dangerous and
can cause liver damage,
heart attack, stroke, and
death. DXM can also be
found on the internet being
sold as a powder, capsule,
and pill form, and these can
be ingested orally or snorted.

After prolonged use of DXM,

the addict will experience
withdrawal when trying to
stop. The symptoms of
withdrawal from DXM can
range from minor to
dangerous. Some of the less
physically risky symptoms
include anxiety, restlessness,
insomnia, stomach pains.
These symptoms and
cravings can make the
addict give up and seek out
more of the drug to ease the
pain and discomfort of
withdrawal.

There are many more severe

symptoms of DXM
withdrawal. Heatstroke,
which very high doses can
cause, turn up the internal
thermostat.  Organs can shut
down from the heat, and the
addict is most often
unconscious when this
occurs.  Addicts can
experience hallucinations
when coming off of high
doses of DXM. These can
cause frightening visions
that can seem so real that
the addict can fight back or
hurt themselves to combat
these visions.

Dehydration is a frequent
withdrawal symptom
brought about by vomiting
and diarrhea. This can flush
out so much fluid from the
body, which organs rely on
to operate, causing them to
shut down. And finally, DXM
has a severe impact on lung
capacity and slows breathing
rates. The brain can be
deprived of the necessary
oxygen. If breathing stops,
the brain and body can shut
down, and the addict can fall
into a coma.

Get Help With

DMX Addiction
Treatment

These withdrawal symptoms

are confusing because they
also appear in those
overdosing on DXM.  It is
best to be in a medical
facility while detoxing from
DXM so that professional
caregivers can help the
addict get through it safely.
Allure Detox provides a safe
and comfortable
environment to address the
physical withdrawals and
prepare the addict for long-
term recovery.

If you or a loved one are

struggling with addiction to
DXM or similar substances, it
is essential to reach out to
qualified professionals
specializing in addiction
treatment. Allure Detox in
West Palm Beach is a safe
and peaceful environment
with professional and caring
staff. Reach out to us today
for a confidential
consultation with an
addiction specialist.

Did this article answer

your questions?

Help us improve our

content.

Yes
No

SUBMIT

Begin Healing Safely From Addiction

% (855) 299-8782

& 900 54th St N

West Palm Beach, FL
33407

% (855) 299-8782

Begin the journey to

recovery today
Your Name (Required)

Phone (Required)

Email (Required)

How Can We Help? (Required)

SUBMIT

Follow Our Social Media

! " ! # $

Sign up for our

newsletter:

Email Address * SUBSCRIBE

© 2022 – Allure Detox | All Rights

Reserved | Sitemap | Privacy Policy
Medical Disclaimer
This website's material, such as text, graphics, photos,
and other information, is for informative purposes
only. You should never disregard expert medical
guidance or put off getting it because of anything
you've read on this website. Always seek the guidance
of a physician or other qualified health care provider
if you have any concerns regarding an illness. If you
have a medical emergency, call a physician or 911
immediately. This website does not recommend any
specific tests, physicians, treatments, procedures,
opinions, or other information discussed on the
website. All information on this website is for
educational purposes only and should not be used as
a replacement for professional medical diagnosis,
guidance, or treatment. NPI Registry Information

' % (
Text Us Call Now Live Chat