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 IT 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.