At dangerously high-level doses Dextromethorphan is dissociative, like PCP and ketamine. Since the 1950s it has been used primarily as a safe and effective cough suppressant ingredient found in over-the-counter cough medicines. When taken according to directions, products containing DXM produce few side effects and have a long history of safety and effectiveness.

But these days, some teens are abusing this medicine and causing serious damage to their bodies. They think because it's usually found in over-the-counter medicines that it must be harmless, just an easy and

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safe way to get high. But it's not. Taken in recreational doses, which far exceed recommended doses, DXM can cause serious damage.

Even more serious when abused, over-the-counter medications that contain detroxmethorphan often contain antihistamine and decongestant ingredients as well, and high doses of these mixtures can seriously increase the harmful effects. Cough medicine is also sometimes abused with other drugs, including alcohol, which can cause other dangerous effects on the mind.

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