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Over-the-Counter
Drug Abuse (OTC)
Street
Terms:
Poor
man's X, dex, robo, tussin, robo trip, (any over-the-counter
medication containing DXM) triple Cs or CCC: (coricidin),
SIZ'zurp; purple Drank (cough syrup)
Over-the-counter
(OTC) drugs are medications that can be purchased at a pharmacy,
grocery, or convenience store without a prescription to treat
the symptoms of common colds or pains, such as a headache. The
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has determined that these
medications have medical benefits for common ailments and are
safe for general consumption if taken exactly as prescribed by
the packaging.
However,
all
drugs, including over-the-counter
medications, change the body’s function or chemistry from its
natural state and can be harmful if they are not taken as
directed. For example, the common painkiller Ibuprofen (more
commonly known as Advil®) can cause kidney damage if taken for
prolonged periods or in excessive dosages.
As
is the case with any drug, overdoses from over-the-counter
medications, can occur. One type of over-the-counter
medication that is especially dangerous when abused is
Dextromethorphan (DXM), which is found in many types of cough
syrup. From 1999 to 2004, there was a seven-fold increase in
cases of poisoning and overdoses related to the abuse of DXM
reported to poison control centers nationwide. Most of these
were among 15- and 16-year-olds.
An overdose on over-the-counter drugs can vary
greatly, depending on what other drugs they are mixed with, the
amount of drugs taken, how quickly they are taken, and the
individual’s body chemistry. Some
over-the-counter drugs can even cause death if used incorrectly.
The
only safe way to take over-the-counter medications is to do so
exactly as directed by a doctor or as directed on the packaging
and to treat the symptoms for which they are intended.
FIND
OUT MORE ABOUT:
Heroin
Inhalants
and Solvents
Ketamine
Cannabis
Benzodiazepine
Methamphetamine
Ecstasy
Cocaine
GBL
Mushrooms
Caffeine
Crystal
Meth
Crack
Cocaine
Nicotine
Rohypnol
Steroids
Alcohol
Khat
GHB
(Liquid Ecstasy)
Over
the Counter drugs
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