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Over-the-Counter and Prescription Drugs
Many Teens Abusing Over-the-Counter and Prescription Drugs
Abuse of illegal street drugs by teens appears to be on the decline, but many are turning to pharmacies and the family medicine cabinet in search of highs these days. In fact, two new studies have found that abuse of over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medication is a persistent problem among teens.
In an annual survey by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, nearly 50,000 8th-, 10th-, and 12th-graders at more than 400 schools nationwide were asked about substance abuse, including store-bought cough and cold medications.
Here’s what the study found:
• Fewer teens said they had used illegal drugs in the last 12 months compared with previous years.
• Many teens are using “prescription-type” drugs like pain relievers, tranquilizers, and sedatives — these include potentially addictive medicines like OxyContin and Vicodin. According to the survey, 9% of high school seniors said that they had abused prescription medicines in the past year.
• OTC cough and cold medicines were abused in the past year by 4% of 8th-graders, 5% of 10th-graders, and 7% of 12-graders.
A separate study, published in the December issue of the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, tracked abuse trends of dextromethorphan (a potential high-inducing ingredient in OTC cough and cold medications) in California. The study looked at records of nearly 1,400 calls made to the California Poison Control System and compared the numbers with the databases of the American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC) and the Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) over a 6-year period. It showed that dextromethorphan abuse is on the rise nationwide.
According to this study:
• Abuse of dextromethorphan (DXM or Dex) increased tenfold over the 6-year period in California, with 74.5% of cases among 9- to 17-year-olds.
• Most of the kids abusing DXM were 15 and 16 years old.
• The most common drug of choice was Coricidin HBP Cough and Cold (the little red tablets also known by nicknames like “Triple C” and “Skittles”).
Hazards of Abusing DXM and Prescription Drugs
Teens seeking a DXM high may take far more than the dose recommended to help a cough. The result: hallucinations, loss of motor control, “out-of-body” sensations, and possibly even seizures, brain damage, and death. Many DXM-containing medicines also have ingredients — such as decongestants, antihistamines, expectorants, and pain relievers — that compound the risks of DXM.
Likewise, a single dose of a prescription painkiller can lower the breathing rate and even kill when taken by the wrong person in the wrong circumstances. And abusing stimulants (like some ADHD drugs) may cause fatal heart failure or seizures. The risks become even more hazardous when prescription drugs are consumed along with alcohol or other medicines.
What This Means to You
If you suspect your child might be abusing OTC or prescription drugs, it’s wise to:
• Limit and safeguard the medications in your household — lock your medicine cabinet, avoid stockpiling medicines, throw away any medications you’re no longer using, and keep track of how much is in each bottle or container.
• Watch for any suspicious medicines in your teen’s room. DXM-containing products are labeled DM, cough, or cough suppressant, or contain “tuss” in the title. They can be found in capsules, gel caps, lozenges, syrups, and tablets (in various shapes and colors).
And make sure kids understand that just because a medication is kept in your bathroom or sold in stores doesn’t mean it doesn’t carry just as many risks as other drugs.
Reviewed by: Steven Dowshen, MD
Date reviewed: January 2007
Sources: Jodi K. Bryner, PharmD; Uerica K. Wang, PharmD; Jenny W. Hui, PharmD; Merilin Bedodo, PharmD; Conan MacDougall, PharmD; Ilene B. Anderson, PharmD; Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, December 2006. Johnston, L. D.; O’Malley, P. M.; Bachman, J. G.; Schulenberg, J. E.; Teen drug use continues down in 2006, particularly among older teens; but use of prescription-type drugs remains high; University of Michigan News and Information Services: Ann Arbor, MI, December 21, 2006.
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