Mixing Alcohol With Dextromethorphan: What Are The Dangers?

Every year in the U.S., around 6000 people go to the emergency room because of misusing DXM with other substances like antihistamines, alcohol, acetaminophen or pseudoephedrine. While these products are safe and effective when used as directed, they can be extremely dangerous in high doses. Some extract the DXM via alcohol and dextromethorphan simple chemical processes described online. Whether you are struggling with addiction, mental health or both, our expert team is here to guide you every step of the way. Don’t wait— reach out today to take the first step toward taking control of your life. Dextromethorphan is largely considered safe for most healthy adults when used as indicated.

Drug Interaction Classification

Heavy drinking should always be avoided when taking standard doses of dextromethorphan for cough suppression. Reading product labels carefully and not exceeding the recommended dosing is important. While risks for alcohol use during pregnancy are well known, the effects of DXM use in pregnancy aren’t clear.

• In addition, drinking alcohol while taking certain cold medications can increase the risk of liver failure.
• Regular dextromethorphan or alcohol abuse can weaken the body’s ability to function without them.
• Dextromethorphan misuse is dangerous, and it can lead to long-lasting health effects — much like alcohol can.
• Being well-informed about potential health risks and exercising caution is key to safely using cough drops with alcohol.
• While dextromethorphan may benefit those suffering from a cough as an over-the-counter medicine, it can be dangerous when mixed with alcohol.
• The term “robotripping” refers to getting high on DXM from cough syrups like Robitussin.
• While DXM can be a valuable medicinal tool, mixing DXM and alcohol opens the door to a wide range of health hazards.

Dextromethorphan Side Effects

Use the dosing cup provided with the product or ask your pharmacist to recommend an appropriate measuring device. Dextromethorphan may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider. Dextromethorphan is commonly used to reduce cough caused by common cold or inhaled allergens or that makes it hard for you to fall asleep. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re experiencing side effects from DXM use.

Substance Abuse Treatment Programs

Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination until you know how dextromethorphan affects you. Dextromethorphan may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking dextromethorphan and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction. Dextromethorphan reduces the urge to cough by slowing the activity in certain areas of the brain. They both dull your senses and slow down your coordination and judgment. Mixing the two can also cause severe nausea and vomiting, sometimes lasting for hours.

What Kind of Drug Is Dextromethorphan?

The body temperature was 38.3°C, and the systolic blood pressure was 160 mmHg. Because of his screaming and excitement, haloperidol 5 mg by intravenous administration was used. Because we did not know about his DXM abuse at this time, we thought that the symptoms were due to alcohol withdrawal delirium and administered diazepam 10 mg by intramuscular injection. After the transfusion, all his symptoms were ameliorated, and he returned home. After careful discussion during outpatient visits, the patient now attends an addiction therapy hospital for educational treatment and quit the addictive agents during hospitalization. Mixing acetaminophen and alcohol can be dangerous and should be avoided.

• Intentionally combining dextromethorphan with alcohol to intensify the effects is also a type of substance misuse and it can lead to drug addiction.
• Alcohol enhances the effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter that inhibits brain activity.
• For those struggling with misuse or addiction, seeking professional treatment from facilities like The Recovery Village can provide the necessary support for recovery.
• Before using any OTC cough or cold products, always check with your doctor.
• Alcohol can increase the nervous system side effects of dextromethorphan such as dizziness, drowsiness, and difficulty concentrating.
• Additionally, mixing these substances can increase the risk of overdose or death.

This will help them determine if dextromethorphan is right for you. In addition, mixing alcohol and DXM can increase your risk of a potentially fatal DXM overdose. This risk can differ with the amount of alcohol and DXM you consume. Some people intentionally take too much DXM, a practice called Robotripping, dexing and skittling. It is also important to recognize that DXM presents some abuse risks.

However, when combined with alcohol, dextromethorphan can be dangerous and cause potentially fatal complications. Alcohol and DXM co-use increase the risk of injury to major organs, like the heart and liver. One of the biggest risks with DXM and alcohol co-use is the potential for additional harmful effects and stress on the liver. In severe overdose, it can lead to death from respiratory failure, which means you stop breathing. A 2018 report found 1 in 30 teens misuse DXM, and 6 in 10 teens misuse alcohol.

If DXM is taken in large quantities the medication can have effects similar to depressants and even hallucinogens. Many users also experience euphoric sensations or dissociative effects as well as overall relaxation. It’s not uncommon that users mix DXM with other substances like alcohol and marijuana. Similar to any other substance that is abused, chronic DXM substance abuse can lead to addiction.