The Dangers and Side Effects of Some Common Over-the-Counter Medicines

It must be common for you to buy and consume certain medicines without prescriptions in case of minor illnesses like low fever, cough and cold, and aches and pains in the body. They are also readily available. Most of us do the same. Triple C or Coricidin HBP Cough & Cold, also known as Dextromethorphan (DXM), is one such medicine used for treating cough and cold. But the effects can be dangerous without you being aware of it.

One of the most vulnerable groups of users is the youngsters who consume them for recreational purposes and gradually become victims of substance abuse.

Some of the products containing Coricidin and DXM are – Theraflu, Sudafed, Tylenol, Mucinex, 12-hour Cough Relief, Delsym, Vicks DayQuil Cough, and Robitussin.

DXM abuse is known as robotripping or skittling in street parlance.

Learn More About Triple C

The fact that this medicine is not illegal or cannot be sold without a prescription does not mean that they are not harmful. It depends on the way it is being consumed. A difference in the way it is consumed, or in combinations, or an overdose can bring about negative changes in an individual. Above all, the medicine is not expensive.

The features are:

• Safe and effective against fever, cold, and cough.
• Does not come under the Controlled Substance Act.
• An overdose can cause hallucinations and excitement.
• Adolescents and teenagers are the maximum users.
• Known by several names like Candy, Skittles, Robo, Red Devils, etc.
• Comes in the forms of red, rounded tablets, red capsules, and red oblong tablets.

Substance users consume it as pills or take injections of DXM powders to get on a high.

How to use Triple C?

The basic use is for treatment against cold and flu, but patients having high blood pressure should be careful during its consumption. The medicine can be administered to patients from the age of 6 years and above.

Learn more about Triple C overdose and the effects that take place.

• Causes audio and visual hallucinations
• Can be taken in combination with other drugs - methamphetamine or ecstasy
• Intoxication effects start after 15-30 minutes of consumption and may last for around 6 hours.
• For individuals having a high metabolism, the substance stays in the blood for 22 hours, and in the case of others, the time would be around 33 hours.

Victims of substance abuse may have skin rashes, stomach pains, vomiting, breathing trouble, etc. In the standard drug tests, screening is done to identify the presence of a drug in blood, urine, hair, and sweat. You can look for below symptoms of addiction:

• Having difficulties or conflicts at school, workplace, or home.
• Sudden negative changes in behavior.
• Unpredictable or risky behavior.
• Getting secluded from family and friends.
• Loss of appetite.
• Aggressiveness.
• Increase in consumption or showing tolerance towards substances.
• Memory loss

Some of the states in the U.S. have imposed measures to regulate the use of drugs containing DXM to minors, but parents and guardians should also monitor any potential signs of substance abuse among kids. If detected, proper steps related to recovery and rehabilitation can bring about positive results.