OTC cough medicines containing the active ingredient dextromethorphan (DXM) have been providing families with safe and effective relief from coughing for generations. Dextromethorphan was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the 1950s and, when used according to label directions, helps relieve cough symptoms.

There are well over 100 OTC medicines that contain DXM, either as the only active ingredient or in combination with other active ingredients. Examples include Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold & Cough Formula, Coricidin HBP Cough and Cold, Dimetapp® DM, Mucinex® DM tablets, PediaCare cough medicines, certain Robitussin® cough products, Sudafed cough products, TheraFlu Cough products, Triaminic cough products, Tylenol Cough and Tylenol Cold products, Vicks 44 Cough Relief products, and certain Vicks DayQuil and NyQuil LiquiCaps. There also are a number of store brands that contain dextromethorphan, as well.

While recognized as safe and effective by FDA when used according to the Drug Facts label, dextromethorphan’s effects can be dangerous when abused in extreme doses. Reports indicate that teens looking to get high take anywhere from 25 to 50 times the recommended amount on the label, which can often translate to multiple bottles or packages of medicine at one time.

Learn more about the side effects, the size of the problem, and the warning signs of abuse.