Dextromethorphan (DXM) is a safe and effective ingredient found in more than 100 over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold medicines. First approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the 1950s, it is a non-narcotic cough suppressant that works by raising the coughing threshold in the brain. It has no pain-relieving properties and is not addictive.
Preventing Teen Cough Medicine Abuse
While millions of Americans use DXM safely each year to relieve cough symptoms due to the common cold or flu, data released in December 2016 by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) annual Monitoring the Future survey shows that approximately three percent of teens admit to abusing OTC cough medicines containing DXM to get high. CHPA works diligently to stop the spread of this important public health issue.
Dextromethorphan serves as a safe, effective antitussive ingredient in many critical OTC cough and cold formulations. While reasonable age restrictions may curb adolescent misuse without limiting adult access, lawmakers should refrain from unnecessary additional barriers. Targeted age controls strike the right balance between safety and availability.
CHPA expresses its gratitude to New Jersey's governor, senator, and assembly members for shepherding the bill through the legislature. CHPA has long supported state efforts to curb teen OTC cough medicine abuse.
CHPA is pleased to lend its strong support for the DXM Abuse Prevention Act of 2015 (H.R. 3250), introduced into the U.S. House of Representatives by U.S. Reps. Bill Johnson (R-OH) and Doris Matsui (D-CA).
CHPA released the following statement in support of today’s enactment of a Washington State law prohibiting the sale of OTC medicines containing the cough suppressant dextromethorphan (DXM) to minors.
Because of FDA's safety concerns regarding the control and monitoring of levomethorphan, CHPA supports the control of levomethorphan as an impurity and respectfully submits the following comments regarding the proposed updates to the DXM monograph as proposed in the IRA published in PF 40(3).
CHPA does not believe scheduling of dextromethorphan under the Controlled Substances Act is warranted. The prevalence and scope of reported abuse is limited. CHPA believes that there are more effective interventions to address OTC cough medicine abuse.
Comments concerning abuse potential, actual abuse, medical usefulness, trafficking, and impact of scheduling changes on availability for medical use of ten drug substances.
CHPA subcommittee hearing statement in support of federal legislation ensuring that raw, unfinished dextromethorphan does not fall into the wrong hands, and that minors under 18 are not allowed to purchase cough medicine.
While DXM is used safely by millions of Americans, some teenagers and young adults are intentionally abusing large quantities of medicines containing DXM in an effort to get high.
