![]() The symptoms of withdrawal from DXM and loperamide have not been well studied. ![]() An addiction develops when continued use of the drug causes issues, such as health problems and failure to meet responsibilities at work, school, or home. Yes, misuse of DXM or loperamide can lead to addiction. Can misuse of these OTC medicines lead to addiction? If the heart stops, health care providers will perform CPR and other cardiac support therapies. Read more about naloxone at our Naloxone webpage.Ĭertain medications can be used to treat heart rhythm problems caused by loperamide overdose. DXM overdoses can also be treated with naloxone. If the person has stopped breathing or if breathing is weak, begin CPR. How can these OTC medicine overdoses be treated?Ī person who has overdosed needs immediate medical attention. Hypoxia can have short- and long-term mental effects and effects on the nervous system, including coma and permanent brain damage and death. This can decrease the amount of oxygen that reaches the brain, a condition called hypoxia. ![]() Unintentional Overdose Deaths webpage).Īs with other opioids, when people overdose on DXM or loperamide, their breathing often slows or stops. An overdose occurs when a person uses enough of the drug to produce a life-threatening reaction or death (Read more on our Intentional vs. Yes, a person can overdose on cold medicines containing DXM or loperamide. Can a person overdose on these OTC medicines? Other effects have not been well studied and reports are mixed, but the physical consequences of loperamide misuse can be severe. These effects may increase if taken with other medicines that interact with loperamide. It can cause the heart to beat erratically or rapidly, or cause kidney problems. Loperamide misuse can also lead to fainting, stomach pain, constipation, eye changes, and loss of consciousness. In the short-term, loperamide is sometimes misused to lessen cravings and withdrawal symptoms however, it can cause euphoria, similar to other opioids. Misuse of DXM products containing acetaminophen can cause liver damage. Other health effects from DXM misuse can include the following: At high doses, a person may have hallucinations or feelings of physical distortion, extreme panic, paranoia, anxiety, and aggression. Short-term effects of DXM misuse can range from mild stimulation to alcohol- or marijuana-like intoxication. What are the health effects of these OTC medicines? Opioid receptors are also located in the brain stem, which controls important processes, such as blood pressure, arousal, and breathing. Other opioids, such as certain prescription pain relievers and heroin, bind to and activate opioid receptors in many areas of the brain, especially those involved in feelings of pain and pleasure. However, when taken in large amounts and combined with other substances, it may cause the drug to act in a similar way to other opioids. Loperamide is an opioid designed not to enter the brain. Repeatedly seeking to experience that feeling can lead to addiction-a chronic relapsing brain condition characterized by inability to stop using a drug despite damaging consequences to a person's life and health. When taken in large doses, DXM causes a depressant effect and sometimes a hallucinogenic effect, similar to PCP and ketamine. How do these OTC medicines affect the brain?ĭXM is an opioid without effects on pain reduction and does not act on the opioid receptors. It is unclear how often this drug is misused. When misusing loperamide, people swallow large quantities of the medicine. ![]() Loperamide is an anti-diarrheal that is available in tablet, capsule, or liquid form. These medicines are often misused in combination with other drugs, such as alcohol and marijuana. DXM may be swallowed in its original form or may be mixed with soda for flavor, called "robo-tripping" or "skittling." Users sometimes inject it. OTC medications that contain DXM often also contain antihistamines and decongestants. The most common sources of abused DXM are "extra-strength" cough syrup, tablets and gel capsules. There are two OTC medicines that are most commonly misused.ĭextromethorphan (DXM) is a cough suppressant found in many OTC cold medicines. What are some of the commonly misused OTC medicines? ![]() In some states, only people 18 years of age or older can buy pseudoephedrine. A prescription is not needed in most states, but in states that do require a prescription, there are limits on how much a person can buy each month. For this reason, products containing pseudoephedrine are sold "behind the counter" nationwide. Pseudoephedrine, a nasal decongestant found in many OTC cold medicines, can be used to make methamphetamine. ![]()
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