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Abuse of dextromethorphan, an over-the-counter drug marketed as a cough suppressant, appears to be a growing problem. Dextromethorphan is inexpensive and readily available, and when high doses are ingested, euphoria and hallucinations result from dextrophan, a metabolite that has effects similar to those of phencyclidine and ketamine. Teens have learned — and web sites promote — how to use and abuse this drug.
Investigators reviewed all 1411 cases of dextromethorphan abuse reported to the California Poison Control System from 1999 through 2004. Most cases (75%) were adolescents (age range, 9–17). During this period, the frequency of abuse increased 10-fold overall and 15-fold in adolescents. The most common adverse effects were tachycardia, …