DEXTROMETHORPHAN TOXICITY

Course overview

DEXTROMETHORPHAN IS A DRUG USED IN MANY OVER-THE-COUNTER COUGH AND COLD MEDICINES FOR ITS ANTITUSSIVE EFFECTS. IT COMES IN ORAL STRIPS, LOZENGES, LIQUIDS, OR LIQUID-FILLED CAPSULES AND FORMULATIONS OFTEN COMBINE THE DRUG WITH GUAIFENESIN, ACETAMINOPHEN, AND PSEUDOEPHEDRINE. DEXTROMETHORPHAN IS ALSO A COMMONLY ABUSED DRUG BECAUSE OF ITS EUPHORIC, HALLUCINOGENIC, AND DISSOCIATIVE PROPERTIES. THIS ACTIVITY REVIEWS THE PRESENTATION, EVALUATION, AND MANAGEMENT OF DEXTROMETHORPHAN TOXICITY AND STRESSES THE ROLE OF AN INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM APPROACH TO THE CARE OF AFFECTED PATIENTS.