Dextromethorphan psychosis, dependence and physical withdrawal.
Addiction biology December 1, 2005 Shannon C Miller
Dextromethorphan (DM), an over-the-counter cough medicine available in over 140 preparations, can cause addiction, psychosis, and withdrawal when abused at greater than indicated doses. A case of DM dependence with rarely published complications is described, based on an interview with the individual and a review of medical databases. DM and its active metabolite dextrorphan (DOR) have specific biological features of addiction and can induce psychiatric sequelae. DOR has pharmacodynamic properties similar to dissociatives and may be more responsible for the dissociative effect sought by abusers, but also carries risks of life-threatening psychoses, dissociative-induced accidents, and addiction. Health-care providers appear largely unaware of DM's toxidrome and addiction liability.