Guide to DXM
in Non-Prescription Drugs
v 2.0 - Feb 26, 2008
INTRODUCTION
For those who choose to use DXM recreationally, it is extremely important to pay attention to the active ingredients list of the brand they choose to use. People knowledgeable in the field recommend that only products containing DXM alone (sometimes listed as 'Dextromethorphan hydrobromide') in the Active Ingredients list should be used.
The Active Ingredients list on the side of pharmaceutical products will include all ingredients which may have a strong effect on the mind or body. While some ingredients shown in an Active Ingredients lists may have recreational potential at higher-than-recommended dosages, others may be deadly. It is extremely important to know which is which. Never use a product recreationally which contains an Active Ingredient which you are not familiar with. Users should be familiar with each ingredient's possible side-effects, likelihood of allergic reaction, dose range, and overdose symptoms.
Most products will also include an Inactive Ingredients list. In general, substances in this list will have little effect on the mind or body. One exception to this is Sorbitol, a sugar substitute used in diet foods. See below for more details.
Below are two lists. The first describes some of the most common ingredients found in combination with DXM in over-the-counter products, and lists possible side effects and health hazards from ingesting high doses of these ingredients. Second is a list of more than 60 non-prescription medications containing various forms of DXM. Listed are the common active ingredients (as of 2008 in most cases) and any relevant notes or cautions. Be aware that over time, companies may change what chemicals are in a product. In other cases, products with different names have the same ingredients lists and UPC codes. Always read the label.
SPECIAL WARNING - Coricidin HBP Cough & Cold (formerly Coricidin Cough & Cold)
There are many over-the-counter products which contain DXM. Most contain additional active ingredients which are best avoided at high doses. The higher the dose, the more likely problems are. One product which has caused problems for many people is Coricidin [HBP] Cough & Cold, which contains DXM and Chlorpheniramine Maleate. If you are using DXM recreationally, avoid using Coricidin Cough and Cold as your DXM source. We have collected a few reports specifically about people's experiences with Coricidin.
INGREDIENTS
DXM-CONTAINING PRODUCTS (OVER-THE-COUNTER)
Additional Notes:
"Athos" reportedly a name brand of DXM-only tablets in Mexico (Nov 2000).
CREDITS, COPYRIGHTS & REVISION HISTORY
For those who choose to use DXM recreationally, it is extremely important to pay attention to the active ingredients list of the brand they choose to use. People knowledgeable in the field recommend that only products containing DXM alone (sometimes listed as 'Dextromethorphan hydrobromide') in the Active Ingredients list should be used.
The Active Ingredients list on the side of pharmaceutical products will include all ingredients which may have a strong effect on the mind or body. While some ingredients shown in an Active Ingredients lists may have recreational potential at higher-than-recommended dosages, others may be deadly. It is extremely important to know which is which. Never use a product recreationally which contains an Active Ingredient which you are not familiar with. Users should be familiar with each ingredient's possible side-effects, likelihood of allergic reaction, dose range, and overdose symptoms.
Most products will also include an Inactive Ingredients list. In general, substances in this list will have little effect on the mind or body. One exception to this is Sorbitol, a sugar substitute used in diet foods. See below for more details.
Below are two lists. The first describes some of the most common ingredients found in combination with DXM in over-the-counter products, and lists possible side effects and health hazards from ingesting high doses of these ingredients. Second is a list of more than 60 non-prescription medications containing various forms of DXM. Listed are the common active ingredients (as of 2008 in most cases) and any relevant notes or cautions. Be aware that over time, companies may change what chemicals are in a product. In other cases, products with different names have the same ingredients lists and UPC codes. Always read the label.
SPECIAL WARNING - Coricidin HBP Cough & Cold (formerly Coricidin Cough & Cold)
There are many over-the-counter products which contain DXM. Most contain additional active ingredients which are best avoided at high doses. The higher the dose, the more likely problems are. One product which has caused problems for many people is Coricidin [HBP] Cough & Cold, which contains DXM and Chlorpheniramine Maleate. If you are using DXM recreationally, avoid using Coricidin Cough and Cold as your DXM source. We have collected a few reports specifically about people's experiences with Coricidin.
INGREDIENTS
- Acetaminophen
- High doses of Acetaminophen can cause serious liver damage and possibly death. Symptoms of overdose may include bloody, black, or tarry stool; bloody or cloudy urine; pain in lower back and/or side; sores, ulcers, or white spots on lips or in mouth; sore throat; or unusual bleeding or bruising.
- We have seen recommendations that no more than 4000 mg of acetaminophen be taken in a day (and no more than 2600 mg/day for long-term use).
- ReadersDigestHealth.com
- Aspirin
- Symptoms of overdose may include rapid breathing, difficulty swallowing, ringing in the ears or loss of hearing, bloody urine, diarrhea, nausea, dizziness, fever, swelling of eyelids, face or lips, and convulsions.
- Toxic Aspirin overdoses can be seen beginning at 150-300 mg/kg (10,000 mg for a person weighing 160 lb).
- HealthCentral.com
- Chlorpheniramine Maleate
- High doses of Chlorpheniramine Maleate (CPM) can cause severe and life-threatening symptoms including seizures; shortness of breath or troubled breathing; weakness; loss of consciousness; severe dryness of mouth, nose, or throat; bleeding from skin, mouth, eyes, rectum, and vagina; and possibly death.
- We have seen recommendations that no more than 24 mg of CPM be taken in a day.
- Medline Plus Chlorpheniramine
- Search PubMed
- See Experiences with CPM Containing DXM Products
- Guaifenesin
- High doses of Guaifenesin can cause severe nausea and vomiting.
- Because of its mucus-thinning properties, which can affect the mucus plug of the cervix, guaifenesin may contribute to an increase in the likelihood that a woman will conceive.
- MedlinePlus
- Paracetamol
- See Acetaminophen (above).
- Phenylephrine (Hydrochloride)
- High doses of phenylephrine phenylephrine can cause hypertension and seizures. Phenylephrine has replaced pseudoephedrine as a decongestant ingredient in some cold medicine following restrictions on pseudoephedrine sales.
- Medline Plus
- Search PubMed
- Pseudoephedrine (Hydrochloride)
- High doses of pseudoephedrine can cause irregular heartbeat, headaches, difficulty breathing, anxiety, and seizures. Though some people use pseudoephedrine recreationally, there is too much pseudoephedrine in these products to use them as a source for DXM.
- Medline Plus
- Search PubMed
- Sorbitol
- Sorbitol is a sugar substitute that is used in some "sugar-free" brands of cough syrup. High doses of Sorbitol (between 10 and 50 grams) can cause gastrointestinal distress from mild discomfort to severe diarrhea.
- MedlinePlus
DXM-CONTAINING PRODUCTS (OVER-THE-COUNTER)
- Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold & Cough Medicine
- Aspirin 325 mg,
- Chlorpheniramine Maleate 2 mg,
- Phenylpropanolamine Bitartrate 20 mg,
- DXM HBr 10 mg.
- Alka-Seltzer Plus Night-Time Cold
- Aspirin 500 mg,
- Doxylamine Succinate 6.25 mg,
- Phenylpropanolamine
- Bitartrate 20 mg,
- DXM HBr 15 mg.
- Alka-Seltzer Plus Night Cold Formula
- Acetaminophen 250 mg,
- Doxylamine Succinate 6.25 mg,
- Phenylephrine HCl 5 mg,
- DXM HBr 10 mg.
- Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold & Cough Formula Liquid Gels
- DXM HBr 10 mg,
- Chlorpheniramine Maleate 2 mg,
- Phenylephrine hydrochloride 5 mg,
- Acetaminophen 325 mg.
- Alka-Seltzer Plus Night Cold Formula Liquid Gels
- DXM HBr 15 mg
- Doxylamine Succinate 6.25 mg,
- Pseudoephedrine HCl 30 mg,
- Acetaminophen 325 mg.
- Alka-Seltzer Plus Day Non-Drowsy Cold Formula Liquid Gels
- DXM HBr 10 mg,
- Phenylephrine hydrochloride 5 mg,
- Acetaminophen 325 mg.
- Benylin Expectorant
- DXM HBr 5 mg,
- Guaifenesin 100 mg.
- Benylin DM-D-E Extra Strength Chest Cough and Cold
- DXM HBr 15 mg,
- Pseudoephedrine HCl 30 mg,
- Guaifenesin 200 mg.
- Benylin Dry Coughs Original / Non-Drowsy
- DXM HBr 7.5 mg.
- Buckley's Mixture [DM]
- DXM HBr 12.5 mg
- Caffetin Cold
- DXM HBr 15 mg,
- Pseudoephedrine 30 mg,
- Paracetamol (Acetaminophen) 500 mg,
- Ascorbic acid 60 mg.
- Cerose DM
- DXM HBr 15 mg,
- Chlorpheniramine Maleate 4 mg,
- Phenylephrine HCl 10 mg,
- Alcohol 2.4%.
- Cheracol-D Cough Formula
- DXM HBr 10 mg,
- Guaifenesin 100 mg,
- Alcohol 4.75%.
- Cheracol Plus Cough Syrup Multisymptom Cough/Cold Formula
- DXM HBr 20 mg,
- Phenylpropanolamine HCl 25 mg,
- Chlorpheniramine Maleate 4 mg,
- Alcohol 8%.
- Comtrex Day/Night Cough & Cold Maximum Strength
- Acetaminophen,
- DXM HBr,
- Chlorpheniramine Maleate,
- Phenylephrine HCl.
- Comtrex Non-Drowsy Cough & Cold Maximum Strength
- Acetaminophen 325 mg,
- DXM HBr 10 mg,
- Phenylephrine HCl 5 mg.
- Coricidin [HBP] Cough & Cold Tablets
- Chlorpheniramine Maleate 4 mg,
- DXM HBr 30 mg.
- Coricidin [HBP] Chest Congestion & Cold Tablets
- Guaifenesin 200 mg,
- DXM HBr 10 mg.
- Coricidin HBP Maximum Strength Flu Tablets
- Acetaminophen 500 mg,
- Chlorpheniramine Maleate 2 mg,
- DXM HBr 15 mg
- Cough X Lozenges
- DXM HBr 5 mg,
- Benzocaine 2 mg.
- Creomulsion Cough Medicine Adult Formula
- DXM HBr 20 mg,
- Alcohol 1.4%
- Beechwood Creosote, Menthol, Caramel, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Corn Syrup, Sucrose and Purified Water.
- CVS Tussin Maximum Strength Cough Formula
- DXM HBr 15 mg,
- Alcohol 1.4%
- CVS Tussin Cough Liquid Gels
- DXM HBr 15 mg.
- CVS Tussin DM Cough Formula
- DXM HBr 10 mg,
- Guaifenesin HCl 100 mg
- CVS Tussin CF Cough & Cold Liquid
- DXM HBr 10 mg,
- Guaifenesin HCl 100 mg
- Phenylephrine HCl 5 mg
- Delsym Extended-Release Suspension
- DXM Polistirex
- DexAlone
- DXM HBr 30 mg.
- Dimetapp Cold & Cough DM Elixir (Children's Formula)
- Brompheniramine Maleate 1 mg,
- Phenylephrine HCl 2.5 mg,
- DXM HBr 5 mg.
- Dimetapp Long-Acting Cough Plus Cold (Children's Formula)
- Chlorpheniramine Maleate 1 mg,
- DXM HBr 7.5 mg.
- Drixoral Cough Liquid Caps
- DXM HBr 30 mg.
- Drixoral Cough + Congestion Liquid Caps
- DXM HBr 30 mg,
- Pseudoephedrine HCl 60 mg.
- Drixoral Cough + Fever
- Acetaminophen
- DXM HBr
- Drixoral Cough + Sore Throat Liquid Caps
- DXM HBr 15 mg,
- Acetaminophen 325 mg.
- Duract Max Strength Cough QuickMelt Tablets
- DXM HBr 30 mg
- Mucinex DM
- DXM HBr extended release 30 mg,
- Guaifenesin 600 mg.
- PediaCare Children's Long-Acting Cough Liquid
- DXM HBr 7.5 mg.
- PediaCare Children's Multi-Symptom Cold Liquid
- Phenylephrine 15 mg,
- DXM HBr 5 mg.
- Robitussin CoughGels Long-Acting
- DXM HBr 15 mg.
- Robitussin Cough DM Liquid
- DXM HBr 10 mg,
- Guaifenesin 100 mg.
- Robitussin Cough Long-Acting Liquid
- DXM HBr 15 mg,
- Sucrets 8-Hour Cough Relief DM Cough Formula Lozenges
- DXM HBr 10 mg.
- Sudafed Multi-Symptom Cold & Cough LiquidCaps
- DXM HBr 10 mg,
- Guaifenesin 100 mg,
- Pseudoephedrine HCl 30 mg,
- Acetaminophen 250 mg.
- Children's Sudafed Cold & Cough Liquid
- Pseudophedrine HCl 15 mg,
- DXM HBr 5 mg,
- Theraflu Cold & Cough Hot Liquid
- Phenylephrine HCl 10 mg,
- Pheniramine Maleate 20 mg,
- DXM HBr 20 mg.
- Theraflu ThinStrips Daytime Cold & Cough
- Phenylephrine HCl 10 mg,
- DXM 14.8 mg (equivalent to DXM HBr 20 mg).
- Theraflu Daytime Severe Cold Caplets
- DXM HBr 15 mg,
- Phenylephrine HCl 5 mg,
- Acetaminophen 325 mg.
- Theraflu Nighttime Severe Cold Caplets
- DXM HBr 15 mg,
- Phenylephrine HCl 5 mg,
- Acetaminophen 325 mg,
- Chlorpheniramine Maleate 2 mg.
- Triaminic Daytime Cold & Cough Liquid
- Phenylephrine HCl 2.5 mg,
- DXM HBr 5 mg.
- Triaminic Long-Acting Cough Liquid
- DXM HBr 7.5 mg.
- Triaminic Thin-Strips Long-Acting Cough
- DXM 5.5 mg (equivalent to DXM HBr 7.5 mg).
- TYLENOL Cough & Sore Throat Daytime Liquid
- Acetaminophen 500 mg,
- DXM HBr 15 mg.
- TYLENOL Cold Multi-Symptom Daytime Liquid
TYLENOL Cold Multi-Symptom Daytime Rapid Release Gelcaps
TYLENOL Cold Multi-Symptom Daytime CoolBurst Caplets
TYLENOL Cold Multi-Symptom Daytime Gelcaps - Acetaminophen 325 mg,
- DXM HBr 10 mg,
- Phenylephrine 5 mg.
- PediaPressin Drops
- Pseudoephedrine HCl 15 mg,
- Guaifenesin 50 mg,
- DXM HBr 5 mg.
Note: This product's availability and ingredients list ould not be verified with reliable online sources (Feb 2008)
- Scot-Tussin Sugar-Free DM Maximum Strength
- DXM HBr 15 mg,
- Chlorpheniramine Maleate 2 mg.
- Suppressin DM Caplets
- DXM HBr 15 mg,
- Guaifenesin 200 mg.
Note: This product's availability and ingredients list ould not be verified with reliable online sources (Feb 2008)
- Vicks Formula 44 Maximum Strength Cough Relief
- DXM HBr 30 mg.
- Vicks Formula 44D Cough & Head Congestion Relief
- DXM HBr 20 mg,
- Phenylephrine HCl 10 mg.
- (Pediatric) Vicks Formula 44e Cough & Chest Congestion Relief
- DXM HBr 10 mg,
- Guaifenesin 100 mg.
- (Pediatric) Vicks Formula 44m Cough & Cold Relief
- DXM HBr 15 mg,
- Chlorpheniramine Maleate 2 mg.
- Vicks Formula 44E Cough & Chest Congestion Relief
- DXM HBr 20 mg,
- Guaifenesin 200 mg.
- Vicks Formula 44M Cough, Cold & Flu Relief
- DXM HBr 7.5 mg,
- Chlorpheniramine Maleate 1 mg,
- Acetaminophen 162.5.
- Vicks Children's NyQuil Cold & Cough
- DXM HBr 15 mg,
- Chlorpheniramine Maleate 2 mg.
- Vicks DayQuil Cold/Flu Relief
- Phenylephrine HCl 5 mg,
- Acetaminophen 325 mg,
- DXM HBr 10 mg.
- Vicks Dayquil Cough
- DXM HBr 15 mg.
- Vicks DayQuil Cold/Flu Relief LiquiCaps
- Phenylephrine HCl 5 mg,
- Acetaminophen 325 mg,
- DXM HBr 10 mg.
- Vicks NyQuil Cold & Flu Relief LiquiCaps
- DXM HBr 15 mg,
- Doxylamine Succinate 6.25 mg,
- Acetaminophen 325 mg.
- Vicks NyQuil Cold & Flu Relief Liquid
- DXM HBr 15 mg,
- Doxylamine Succinate 6.25 mg,
- Acetaminophen 500 mg.
- Zicam Cough Relief
- DXM HBr 5 mg
- Zicam Cough Max
Zicam Cough Max Nighttime - DXM HBr 6 mg
- Zicam Cough Plus D
- DXM HBr 5 mg
- Phenylephrine HCl 3.3 mg
- Zicam Cough Max Melts
Zicam Cough Max Nighttime - DXM HBr 30 mg
by Bayer Healthcare
Active Ingredients (per tablet):
by Bayer Healthcare
Active Ingredients (per effervescent tablet):
by Bayer Healthcare
Active Ingredients (per effervescent tablet):
by Bayer Healthcare
Active Ingredients (per softgel):
by Bayer Healthcare
Active Ingredients (per softgel):
Alka-Seltzer Plus Day & Night Cold Formula Liquid Gels
by Bayer Healthcare
Active Ingredients (per softgel):
**A number of other Alka-Seltzer formulations not listed here contain DXM plus other ingredients.
by Johnson & Johnson (Canada)
Active Ingredients (per teaspoonful/5mL):
by Johnson & Johnson (Canada)
Active Ingredients (per teaspoonful/5mL):
by Johnson & Johnson (United Kingdom)
Active Ingredients (per teaspoonful/5mL):
**A number of other Benylin formulations not listed here contain DXM plus other ingredients.
by Buckley's (owned by Novartis)
Active Ingredients (per teaspoonful/5mL):
Manufacturer Website: Buckley's.
by Alkaloid AD, Skopje, Macedonia
Active Ingredients (per tablet):
by Wyeth-Ayerst
Active Ingredients (per teaspoonful/5mL):
by Roberts
Active Ingredients (per teaspoonful/5mL):
by Roberts
Active Ingredients (per tablespoonful/15mL):
by Novartis Consumer Health
Active Ingredients (per caplet):
by Novartis Consumer Health
Active Ingredients (per caplet):
by Schering-Plough HealthCare
Active Ingredients (per tablet):
by Schering-Plough HealthCare
Active Ingredients (per tablet):
by Schering-Plough HealthCare
Active Ingredients (per tablet):
by Ascher
Active Ingredients (per lozenge):
Active Ingredients: (per teaspoonful/5mL):
Active Ingredients: (per teaspoonful/5mL):
Active Ingredients: (per liquid gel):
Active Ingredients (per teaspoonful/5mL):
Active Ingredients (per teaspoonful/5mL):
by Adams Respiratory Therapeutics
Active Ingredients (per teaspoonful/5mL):
Not Recommended
by Xanodyne
Active Ingredients (per gelcap):
by Wyeth Consumer Healthcare
Active Ingredients (per teaspoonful/5mL):
by Wyeth Consumer Healthcare
Active Ingredients (per teaspoonful/5mL):
by Schering-Plough HealthCare
Active Ingredients (per softgel):
by Schering-Plough HealthCare
Active Ingredients (per softgel):
by Schering-Plough HealthCare
Active Ingredients (per softgel):
by Schering-Plough HealthCare
Active Ingredients (per softgel):
by Matrixx Initiatives
Active Ingredients (per tablet):
by Adams Respiratory Therapeutics
Active Ingredients (per extended release tablet):
by McNeil-PPC
Active Ingredients (per teaspoonful/5mL):
by McNeil-PPC
Active Ingredients (per teaspoonful/5mL):
by Wyeth Consumer Healthcare
Active Ingredients (per softgel):
by Wyeth Consumer Healthcare
Active Ingredients (per tsp/5ml):
by Wyeth Consumer Healthcare
Active Ingredients (per tsp/5ml):
**A number of other Robitussin formulations not listed here contain DXM plus other ingredients.
by Insight Pharmaceuticals
Active Ingredients (per lozenge):
by McNeil-PPC
Active Ingredients (per softgel):
by McNeil-PPC
Active Ingredients (per teaspoonful/5mL):
by Novartis Consumer Health
Active Ingredients (per packet):
by Novartis Consumer Health
Active Ingredients (per strip):
by Novartis Consumer Health
Active Ingredients (per caplet):
by Novartis Consumer Health
Active Ingredients (per caplet):
by Novartis Consumer Health
Active Ingredients (per teaspoonful/5mL):
by Novartis Consumer Health
Active Ingredients (per teaspoonful/5mL):
by Novartis Consumer Health
Active Ingredients (per strip):
**Several other Triaminic formulations not listed here contain DXM plus other ingredients. Triaminicol (Canada) was discontinued 07-30-2001 [Health Canada Drug Products Database]
by McNeil Consumer Health
Active Ingredients (per Tbs/15 ml):
by McNeil Consumer Health
Active Ingredients (per Tbs/15 ml liquid; per tablet/gelcap):
**Several other TYLENOL formulations not listed here contain DXM plus other ingredients. All TYLENOL formulations contain Acetaminophen. See Tylenol.com
by Quintex
Active Ingredients (per drop):
by Scot-Tussin
Active Ingredients (per teaspoonful/5mL):
by Quintex
Active Ingredients (per caplet):
by Procter & Gamble
Active Ingredients (per tablespoon/15ml):
by Procter & Gamble
Active Ingredients (per tablespoonful/15mL):
by Procter & Gamble
Active Ingredients (per tablespoonful/15mL):
by Procter & Gamble
Active Ingredients (per tablespoonful/15mL):
by Procter & Gamble
Active Ingredients (per tablespoonful/15mL):
by Procter & Gamble
Active Ingredients (per teaspoonful/5mL):
by Procter & Gamble
Active Ingredients (per tablespoonful/15mL):
by Procter & Gamble
Active Ingredients (per tablespoonful/15mL):
by Procter & Gamble
Active Ingredients (per tablespoonful/15mL):
by Procter & Gamble
Active Ingredients (per softgel):
by Procter & Gamble
Active Ingredients (per softgel):
by Procter & Gamble
Active Ingredients (per tablespoon/15ml):
by Matrixx Initiatives
Active Ingredients (per spray):
by Matrixx Initiatives
Active Ingredients (per spray):
by Matrixx Initiatives
Active Ingredients (per spray):
by Matrixx Initiatives
Active Ingredients (per tablet):
Additional Notes:
"Athos" reportedly a name brand of DXM-only tablets in Mexico (Nov 2000).
CREDITS, COPYRIGHTS & REVISION HISTORY
- 1.7 - Feb 2008 - Erowid.org. All products and ingredients lists checked on manufacturer websites where possible; most manufacturer names updated; obselete products deleted; changes in product names updated; Mucinex DM added; Phenylephrine HCl added to Description of Ingredients.
- 1.61 - Mar 2006 - Erowid.org. Zicam product added as suggested by sam b and stephen b.
- 1.6 - Jun 15 2004 - Erowid.org - Many small changes.
- Version 1.5 - Mar 2001 - by Erowid.org. New entries added and some old entries updated. Introduction, Special Warning, and Description of Ingredients added. Entire document html'd.
- Version 1.0 - Jan 1997 - written by Gravol.