Robitussin High

A “Robitussin high” is derived from abusing Robitussin, a common cough and cold product, and when taken in recreational doses, which far exceed recommended doses, the user may experience a “high.” This Robitussin high is caused by the excessive dose of dextromethorphan, a common ingredient found in many cough medications, including Robitussin. When such medications are abused they become a dissociative drug.* Teens often buy Robitussin because it is a recognized cough and cold brand. Also, many of the slang terms surrounding DXM abuse are spin-offs from the Robitussin brand, such as “Robo Tripping.”

Statistics on Teen Abuse of Rx and Over-the-Counter Medicine:
The Partnership’s 18th annual study of teen drug trends confirms that Generation Rx has arrived as an alarming number of today’s teenagers are more likely to have abused Rx and OTC medications than a variety of illegal drugs like Ecstasy, cocaine, crack and meth. Nearly one in five teens (19 percent or 4.5 million) report abusing prescription medications to get high; and one in 10 (10 percent or 2.4 million) report abusing cough medicine to get high.”

“What we have here is a case of misinformation and poor attitudes – teens seeing few health risks associated with intentional abuse – teamed with easy access at home and via the Internet. Together it’s a potentially lethal combination,” said Steve Pasierb, CEO of the Partnership for Drug-Free America.

“There is a world of difference between good medicine and bad behavior,” said Dr. Michael Maves, executive vice president & CEO of the American Medical Association and a Partnership board member. “When these medicines are abused – when they are used for anything other than their intended and approved purpose – they can be every bit as dangerous as illegal street drugs.”

Read the full report.