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Guide to DXM
in Non-Prescription Drugs
by Erowid
v 2.0 - Feb 26, 2008
INTRODUCTION
For those who choose to use DXM recreationally, it is extremely important to pay attention to the active ingredients list of the brand they choose to use. People knowledgeable in the field recommend that only products containing DXM alone (sometimes listed as 'Dextromethorphan hydrobromide') in the Active Ingredients list should be used.

The Active Ingredients list on the side of pharmaceutical products will include all ingredients which may have a strong effect on the mind or body. While some ingredients shown in an Active Ingredients lists may have recreational potential at higher-than-recommended dosages, others may be deadly. It is extremely important to know which is which. Never use a product recreationally which contains an Active Ingredient which you are not familiar with. Users should be familiar with each ingredient's possible side-effects, likelihood of allergic reaction, dose range, and overdose symptoms.

Most products will also include an Inactive Ingredients list. In general, substances in this list will have little effect on the mind or body. One exception to this is Sorbitol, a sugar substitute used in diet foods. See below for more details.

Below are two lists. The first describes some of the most common ingredients found in combination with DXM in over-the-counter products, and lists possible side effects and health hazards from ingesting high doses of these ingredients. Second is a list of more than 60 non-prescription medications containing various forms of DXM. Listed are the common active ingredients (as of 2008 in most cases) and any relevant notes or cautions. Be aware that over time, companies may change what chemicals are in a product. In other cases, products with different names have the same ingredients lists and UPC codes. Always read the label.



SPECIAL WARNING - Coricidin HBP Cough & Cold (formerly Coricidin Cough & Cold)
There are many over-the-counter products which contain DXM. Most contain additional active ingredients which are best avoided at high doses. The higher the dose, the more likely problems are. One product which has caused problems for many people is Coricidin [HBP] Cough & Cold, which contains DXM and Chlorpheniramine Maleate. If you are using DXM recreationally, avoid using Coricidin Cough and Cold as your DXM source. We have collected a few reports specifically about people's experiences with Coricidin.


INGREDIENTS
  • Acetaminophen
    • High doses of Acetaminophen can cause serious liver damage and possibly death. Symptoms of overdose may include bloody, black, or tarry stool; bloody or cloudy urine; pain in lower back and/or side; sores, ulcers, or white spots on lips or in mouth; sore throat; or unusual bleeding or bruising.
    • We have seen recommendations that no more than 4000 mg of acetaminophen be taken in a day (and no more than 2600mg/day for long-term use).
    • ReadersDigestHealth.com

  • Aspirin
    • Symptoms of overdose may include rapid breathing, difficulty swallowing, ringing in the ears or loss of hearing, bloody urine, diarrhea, nausea, dizziness, fever, swelling of eyelids, face or lips, and convulsions.
    • Toxic Aspirin overdoses can be seen beginning at 150-300 mg/kg (10,000 mg for a person weighing 160 lb).
    • HealthCentral.com

  • Chlorpheniramine Maleate
    • High doses of Chlorpheniramine Maleate (CPM) can cause severe and life-threatening symptoms including seizures; shortness of breath or troubled breathing; weakness; loss of consciousness; severe dryness of mouth, nose, or throat; bleeding from skin, mouth, eyes, rectum, and vagina; and possibly death.
    • We have seen recommendations that no more than 24 mg of CPM be taken in a day.
    • Medline Plus Chlorpheniramine
    • Search PubMed
    • See Experiences with CPM Containing DXM Products

  • Guaifenesin
    • High doses of Guaifenesin can cause severe nausea and vomiting.
    • MedlinePlus

  • Paracetamol
    • See Acetaminophen (above).

  • Phenylephrine (Hydrochloride)
    • High doses of phenylephrine phenylephrine can cause hypertension and seizures. Phenylephrine has replaced pseudoephedrine as a decongestant ingredient in some cold medicine following restrictions on pseudoephedrine sales.
    • Medline Plus
    • Search PubMed

  • Pseudoephedrine (Hydrochloride)
    • High doses of pseudoephedrine can cause irregular heartbeat, headaches, difficulty breathing, anxiety, and seizures. Though some people use pseudoephedrine recreationally, there is too much pseudoephedrine in these products to use them as a source for DXM.
    • Medline Plus
    • Search PubMed

  • Sorbitol
    • Sorbitol is a sugar substitute that is used in some "sugar-free" brands of cough syrup. High doses of Sorbitol (between 10 and 50 grams) can cause gastrointestinal distress from mild discomfort to severe diarrhea.
    • MedlinePlus



DXM-CONTAINING PRODUCTS (OVER-THE-COUNTER)
  1. Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold & Cough Medicine
    by Bayer Healthcare
    Active Ingredients (per tablet):
    • Aspirin 325mg,
    • Chlorpheniramine Maleate 2mg,
    • Phenylpropanolamine Bitartrate 20mg,
    • DXM HBr 10mg.
    Notes: In water the aspirin is converted into its soluble ionic form, sodium acetylsalicylate.


  2. Alka-Seltzer Plus Night-Time Cold
    by Bayer Healthcare
    Active Ingredients (per effervescent tablet):
    • Aspirin 500mg,
    • Doxylamine Succinate 6.25mg,
    • Phenylpropanolamine
    • Bitartrate 20mg,
    • DXM HBr 15mg.
    Notes: In water the aspirin is converted into its soluble ionic form, sodium acetylsalicylate. Doxylamine Succinate is an antihistamine.


  3. Alka-Seltzer Plus Night Cold Formula
    by Bayer Healthcare
    Active Ingredients (per effervescent tablet):
    • Acetaminophen 250 mg,
    • Doxylamine Succinate 6.25mg,
    • Phenylephrine HCl 5 mg,
    • DXM HBr 10mg.
    Notes: Not recommended because of Acetaminophen. The Phenylephrine HCl (which has replaced Pseudoephedrine HCl) is a nasal decongestant.


  4. Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold & Cough Formula Liquid Gels
    by Bayer Healthcare
    Active Ingredients (per softgel):
    • DXM HBr 10mg,
    • Chlorpheniramine Maleate 2mg,
    • Phenylephrine hydrochloride 5 mg,
    • Acetaminophen 325mg.
    Notes: Not recommended because of Acetaminophen. The Chlorpheniramine Maleate is an antihistamine and the Phenylephrine HCl (which has replaced Pseudoephedrine HCl) is a nasal decongestant.


  5. Alka-Seltzer Plus Night Cold Formula Liquid Gels
    by Bayer Healthcare
    Active Ingredients (per softgel):
    • DXM HBr 15mg
    • Doxylamine Succinate 6.25mg,
    • Pseudoephedrine HCl 30mg,
    • Acetaminophen 325mg.


  6. Alka-Seltzer Plus Day Non-Drowsy Cold Formula Liquid Gels
    Alka-Seltzer Plus Day & Night Cold Formula Liquid Gels
    by Bayer Healthcare
    Active Ingredients (per softgel):
    • DXM HBr 10mg,
    • Phenylephrine hydrochloride 5 mg,
    • Acetaminophen 325mg.
    Notes: Not recommended because of Acetaminophen. The Phenylephrine HCl (which has replaced Pseudoephedrine HCl) is a nasal decongestant.


    **A number of other Alka-Seltzer formulations not listed here contain DXM plus other ingredients.


  7. Benylin Expectorant
    by Johnson & Johnson (Canada)
    Active Ingredients (per teaspoonful/5mL):
    • DXM HBr 5mg,
    • Guaifenesin 100mg.
    Notes: Guaifenesin may cause nausea in high doses.


  8. Benylin DM-D-E Extra Strength Chest Cough and Cold
    by Johnson & Johnson (Canada)
    Active Ingredients (per teaspoonful/5mL):
    • DXM HBr 15mg,
    • Pseudoephedrine HCl 30mg,
    • Guaifenesin 200mg.


  9. Benylin Dry Coughs Original / Non-Drowsy
    by Johnson & Johnson (United Kingdom)
    Active Ingredients (per teaspoonful/5mL):
    • DXM HBr 7.5mg.


    **A number of other Benylin formulations not listed here contain DXM plus other ingredients.


  10. Buckley's Mixture [DM]
    by Buckley's (owned by Novartis)
    Active Ingredients (per teaspoonful/5mL):
    • DXM HBr 12.5mg
    Note: In Canada, Buckley's DM contains DXM, their main product "Buckley's Mixture" does not contain any DXM in Canada. Buckley's Mixture [DM] is in a sugar-free base and contains several herbal ingredients which may not be appropriate for high-dose use. Ammonium Carbonate, Potassium Bicarbonate, Menthol, & Camphor.
    Manufacturer Website: Buckley's.

  11. Caffetin Cold
    by Alkaloid AD, Skopje, Macedonia
    Active Ingredients (per tablet):
    • DXM HBr 15mg,
    • Pseudoephedrine 30mg,
    • Paracetamol (Acetaminophen) 500mg,
    • Ascorbic acid 60mg.
    Note: This product is sold in Europe.

  12. Cerose DM
    by Wyeth-Ayerst
    Active Ingredients (per teaspoonful/5mL):
    • DXM HBr 15mg,
    • Chlorpheniramine Maleate 4mg,
    • Phenylephrine HCl 10mg,
    • Alcohol 2.4%.


  13. Cheracol-D Cough Formula
    by Roberts
    Active Ingredients (per teaspoonful/5mL):
    • DXM HBr 10mg,
    • Guaifenesin 100mg,
    • Alcohol 4.75%.


  14. Cheracol Plus Cough Syrup Multisymptom Cough/Cold Formula
    by Roberts
    Active Ingredients (per tablespoonful/15mL):
    • DXM HBr 20mg,
    • Phenylpropanolamine HCl 25mg,
    • Chlorpheniramine Maleate 4mg,
    • Alcohol 8%.


  15. Comtrex Day/Night Cough & Cold Maximum Strength
    by Novartis Consumer Health
    Active Ingredients (per caplet):
    • Acetaminophen,
    • DXM HBr,
    • Chlorpheniramine Maleate,
    • Phenylephrine HCl.


  16. Comtrex Non-Drowsy Cough & Cold Maximum Strength
    by Novartis Consumer Health
    Active Ingredients (per caplet):
    • Acetaminophen 325mg,
    • DXM HBr 10mg,
    • Phenylephrine HCl 5mg.


  17. Coricidin [HBP] Cough & Cold Tablets
     by Schering-Plough HealthCare
    Active Ingredients (per tablet):
    • Chlorpheniramine Maleate 4mg,
    • DXM HBr 30mg.
    Note: This is one of the more problematic products as some people have very strong reactions to Chlorpheniramine Maleate, which is present at higher doses in tablets of this product. There have been several reports of significant negative reactions (including fatalities) to this product when taken in high doses.


  18. Coricidin [HBP] Chest Congestion & Cold Tablets
    by Schering-Plough HealthCare
    Active Ingredients (per tablet):
    • Guaifenesin 200 mg,
    • DXM HBr 10mg.


  19. Coricidin HBP Maximum Strength Flu Tablets
    by Schering-Plough HealthCare
    Active Ingredients (per tablet):
    • Acetaminophen 500 mg,
    • Chlorpheniramine Maleate 2 mg,
    • DXM HBr 15 mg


  20. Cough X Lozenges
    by Ascher
    Active Ingredients (per lozenge):
    • DXM HBr 5mg,
    • Benzocaine 2mg.
    Note: This product's availability and ingredients list ould not be verified with reliable online sources (Feb 2008)


  21. Creomulsion Cough Medicine Adult Formula
    Active Ingredients: (per teaspoonful/5mL):
    • DXM HBr 20mg,
    • Alcohol 1.4%
    Other ingredients:
    • Beechwood Creosote, Menthol, Caramel, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Corn Syrup, Sucrose and Purified Water.


  22. CVS Tussin Maximum Strength Cough Formula
    Active Ingredients: (per teaspoonful/5mL):
    • DXM HBr 15mg,
    • Alcohol 1.4%


  23. CVS Tussin Cough Liquid Gels
    Active Ingredients: (per liquid gel):
    • DXM HBr 15mg.


  24. CVS Tussin DM Cough Formula
    Active Ingredients (per teaspoonful/5mL):
    • DXM HBr 10mg,
    • Guaifenesin HCl 100mg


  25. CVS Tussin CF Cough & Cold Liquid
    Active Ingredients (per teaspoonful/5mL):
    • DXM HBr 10mg,
    • Guaifenesin HCl 100mg
    • Phenylephrine HCl 5mg


  26. Delsym Extended-Release Suspension
    by Adams Respiratory Therapeutics
    Active Ingredients (per teaspoonful/5mL):
    • DXM Polistirex
    Notes: DXM Polistirex is a different form than DXM Hydrobromide. Contains DXM Polistirex equivalent to approx 30mg of DXM HBr.
    Not Recommended


  27. DexAlone
     by Xanodyne
    Active Ingredients (per gelcap):
    • DXM HBr 30mg.
    Note: This product's availability and ingredients list ould not be verified with reliable online sources (Feb 2008)


  28. Dimetapp Cold & Cough DM Elixir (Children's Formula)
    by Wyeth Consumer Healthcare
    Active Ingredients (per teaspoonful/5mL):
    • Brompheniramine Maleate 1mg,
    • Phenylephrine HCl 2.5mg,
    • DXM HBr 5mg.


  29. Dimetapp Long-Acting Cough Plus Cold (Children's Formula)
    by Wyeth Consumer Healthcare
    Active Ingredients (per teaspoonful/5mL):
    • Chlorpheniramine Maleate 1mg,
    • DXM HBr 7.5mg.


  30. Drixoral Cough Liquid Caps
    by Schering-Plough HealthCare
    Active Ingredients (per softgel):
    • DXM HBr 30mg.
    Note: This information may be out of date; while Drixoral is listed on the Schering-Plough website, no literature about it is included (Feb 2008)


  31. Drixoral Cough + Congestion Liquid Caps
    by Schering-Plough HealthCare
    Active Ingredients (per softgel):
    • DXM HBr 30mg,
    • Pseudoephedrine HCl 60mg.
    Note: This information may be out of date; while Drixoral is listed on the Schering-Plough website, no literature about it is included (Feb 2008)


  32. Drixoral Cough + Fever
    by Schering-Plough HealthCare
    Active Ingredients (per softgel):
    • Acetaminophen
    • DXM HBr
    Note: This information may be out of date; while Drixoral is listed on the Schering-Plough website, no literature about it is included (Feb 2008)


  33. Drixoral Cough + Sore Throat Liquid Caps
    by Schering-Plough HealthCare
    Active Ingredients (per softgel):
    • DXM HBr 15mg,
    • Acetaminophen 325mg.
    Note: This information may be out of date; while Drixoral is listed on the Schering-Plough website, no literature about it is included (Feb 2008)


  34. Mucinex DM
    by Adams Respiratory Therapeutics
    Active Ingredients (per extended release tablet):
    • DXM HBr extended release 30mg,
    • Guaifenesin 600mg.


  35. PediaCare Children's Long-Acting Cough Liquid
    by McNeil-PPC
    Active Ingredients (per teaspoonful/5mL):
    • DXM HBr 7.5mg.


  36. PediaCare Children's Multi-Symptom Cold Liquid
    by McNeil-PPC
    Active Ingredients (per teaspoonful/5mL):
    • Phenylephrine 15mg,
    • DXM HBr 5mg.


  37. Robitussin CoughGels Long-Acting
    by Wyeth Consumer Healthcare
    Active Ingredients (per softgel):
    • DXM HBr 15mg.


  38. Robitussin Cough DM Liquid
    by Wyeth Consumer Healthcare
    Active Ingredients (per tsp/5ml):
    • DXM HBr 10mg,
    • Guaifenesin 100mg.


  39. Robitussin Cough Long-Acting Liquid
    by Wyeth Consumer Healthcare
    Active Ingredients (per tsp/5ml):
    • DXM HBr 15mg,


    **A number of other Robitussin formulations not listed here contain DXM plus other ingredients.


  40. Sucrets 8-Hour Cough Relief DM Cough Formula Lozenges
    by Insight Pharmaceuticals
    Active Ingredients (per lozenge):
    • DXM HBr 10mg.


  41. Sudafed Multi-Symptom Cold & Cough LiquidCaps
    by McNeil-PPC
    Active Ingredients (per softgel):
    • DXM HBr 10mg,
    • Guaifenesin 100mg,
    • Pseudoephedrine HCl 30mg,
    • Acetaminophen 250 mg.


  42. Children's Sudafed Cold & Cough Liquid
    by McNeil-PPC
    Active Ingredients (per teaspoonful/5mL):
    • Pseudophedrine HCl 15mg,
    • DXM HBr 5mg,


  43. Theraflu Cold & Cough Hot Liquid
    by Novartis Consumer Health
    Active Ingredients (per packet):
    • Phenylephrine HCl 10mg,
    • Pheniramine Maleate 20mg,
    • DXM HBr 20mg.


  44. Theraflu ThinStrips Daytime Cold & Cough
    by Novartis Consumer Health
    Active Ingredients (per strip):
    • Phenylephrine HCl 10mg,
    • DXM 14.8mg (equivalent to DXM HBr 20mg).


  45. Theraflu Daytime Severe Cold Caplets
    by Novartis Consumer Health
    Active Ingredients (per caplet):
    • DXM HBr 15mg,
    • Phenylephrine HCl 5mg,
    • Acetaminophen 325mg.


  46. Theraflu Nighttime Severe Cold Caplets
    by Novartis Consumer Health
    Active Ingredients (per caplet):
    • DXM HBr 15mg,
    • Phenylephrine HCl 5mg,
    • Acetaminophen 325mg,
    • Chlorpheniramine Maleate 2mg.


  47. Triaminic Daytime Cold & Cough Liquid
    by Novartis Consumer Health
    Active Ingredients (per teaspoonful/5mL):
    • Phenylephrine HCl 2.5mg,
    • DXM HBr 5mg.


  48. Triaminic Long-Acting Cough Liquid
    by Novartis Consumer Health
    Active Ingredients (per teaspoonful/5mL):
    • DXM HBr 7.5mg.


  49. Triaminic Thin-Strips Long-Acting Cough
    by Novartis Consumer Health
    Active Ingredients (per strip):
    • DXM 5.5mg (equivalent to DXM HBr 7.5mg).


    **Several other Triaminic formulations not listed here contain DXM plus other ingredients. Triaminicol (Canada) was discontinued 07-30-2001 [Health Canada Drug Products Database]


  50. TYLENOL Cough & Sore Throat Daytime Liquid
    by McNeil Consumer Health
    Active Ingredients (per Tbs/15 ml):
    • Acetaminophen 500mg,
    • DXM HBr 15mg.


  51. TYLENOL Cold Multi-Symptom Daytime Liquid
    TYLENOL Cold Multi-Symptom Daytime Rapid Release Gelcaps
    TYLENOL Cold Multi-Symptom Daytime CoolBurst Caplets
    TYLENOL Cold Multi-Symptom Daytime Gelcaps
    by McNeil Consumer Health
    Active Ingredients (per Tbs/15 ml liquid; per tablet/gelcap):
    • Acetaminophen 325mg,
    • DXM HBr 10mg,
    • Phenylephrine 5mg.


    **Several other TYLENOL formulations not listed here contain DXM plus other ingredients. All TYLENOL formulations contain Acetaminophen. See Tylenol.com


  52. PediaPressin Drops
    by Quintex
    Active Ingredients (per drop):
    • Pseudoephedrine HCl 15mg,
    • Guaifenesin 50mg,
    • DXM HBr 5mg. Note: This product's availability and ingredients list ould not be verified with reliable online sources (Feb 2008)


  53. Scot-Tussin Sugar-Free DM Maximum Strength
    by Scot-Tussin
    Active Ingredients (per teaspoonful/5mL):
    • DXM HBr 15mg,
    • Chlorpheniramine Maleate 2mg.
    Notes: This contains pure DXM, not DXM HBr.


  54. Suppressin DM Caplets
    by Quintex
    Active Ingredients (per caplet):
    • DXM HBr 15mg,
    • Guaifenesin 200mg. Note: This product's availability and ingredients list ould not be verified with reliable online sources (Feb 2008)


  55. Vicks Formula 44 Maximum Strength Cough Relief
    by Procter & Gamble
    Active Ingredients (per tablespoon/15ml):
    • DXM HBr 30mg.


  56. Vicks Formula 44D Cough & Head Congestion Relief
    by Procter & Gamble
    Active Ingredients (per tablespoonful/15mL):
    • DXM HBr 20mg,
    • Phenylephrine HCl 10mg.


  57. (Pediatric) Vicks Formula 44e Cough & Chest Congestion Relief
    by Procter & Gamble
    Active Ingredients (per tablespoonful/15mL):
    • DXM HBr 10mg,
    • Guaifenesin 100mg.


  58. (Pediatric) Vicks Formula 44m Cough & Cold Relief
    by Procter & Gamble
    Active Ingredients (per tablespoonful/15mL):
    • DXM HBr 15mg,
    • Chlorpheniramine Maleate 2mg.


  59. Vicks Formula 44E Cough & Chest Congestion Relief
    by Procter & Gamble
    Active Ingredients (per tablespoonful/15mL):
    • DXM HBr 20mg,
    • Guaifenesin 200mg.


  60. Vicks Formula 44M Cough, Cold & Flu Relief
    by Procter & Gamble
    Active Ingredients (per teaspoonful/5mL):
    • DXM HBr 7.5mg,
    • Chlorpheniramine Maleate 1mg,
    • Acetaminophen 162.5.


  61. Vicks Children's NyQuil Cold & Cough
    by Procter & Gamble
    Active Ingredients (per tablespoonful/15mL):
    • DXM HBr 15mg,
    • Chlorpheniramine Maleate 2mg.


  62. Vicks DayQuil Cold/Flu Relief
    by Procter & Gamble
    Active Ingredients (per tablespoonful/15mL):
    • Phenylephrine HCl 5mg,
    • Acetaminophen 325mg,
    • DXM HBr 10mg.


  63. Vicks Dayquil Cough
    by Procter & Gamble
    Active Ingredients (per tablespoonful/15mL):
    • DXM HBr 15mg.


  64. Vicks DayQuil Cold/Flu Relief LiquiCaps
    by Procter & Gamble
    Active Ingredients (per softgel):
    • Phenylephrine HCl 5mg,
    • Acetaminophen 325mg,
    • DXM HBr 10mg.


  65. Vicks NyQuil Cold & Flu Relief LiquiCaps
    by Procter & Gamble
    Active Ingredients (per softgel):
    • DXM HBr 15mg,
    • Doxylamine Succinate 6.25mg,
    • Acetaminophen 325mg.


  66. Vicks NyQuil Cold & Flu Relief Liquid
    by Procter & Gamble
    Active Ingredients (per tablespoon/15ml):
    • DXM HBr 15mg,
    • Doxylamine Succinate 6.25mg,
    • Acetaminophen 500mg.


  67. Zicam Cough Relief
    by Matrixx Initiatives
    Active Ingredients (per spray):
    • DXM HBr 5mg


  68. Zicam Cough Max
    Zicam Cough Max Nighttime
    by Matrixx Initiatives
    Active Ingredients (per spray):
    • DXM HBr 6mg


  69. Zicam Cough Plus D
    by Matrixx Initiatives
    Active Ingredients (per spray):
    • DXM HBr 5mg
    • Phenylephrine HCl 3.3mg


  70. Zicam Cough Max Melts
    Zicam Cough Max Nighttime
    by Matrixx Initiatives
    Active Ingredients (per tablet):
    • DXM HBr 30mg
Additional Notes:
"Athos" reportedly a name brand of DXM-only tablets in Mexico (Nov 2000).

CREDITS, COPYRIGHTS & REVISION HISTORY
  • 1.7 - Feb 2008 - Erowid.org. All products and ingredients lists checked on manufacturer websites where possible; most manufacturer names updated; obselete products deleted; changes in product names updated; Mucinex DM added; Phenylephrine HCl added to Description of Ingredients.
  • 1.61 - Mar 2006 - Erowid.org. Zicam product added as suggested by sam b and stephen b.
  • 1.6 - Jun 15 2004 - Erowid.org - Many small changes.
  • Version 1.5 - Mar 2001 - by Erowid.org. New entries added and some old entries updated. Introduction, Special Warning, and Description of Ingredients added. Entire document html'd.
  • Version 1.0 - Jan 1997 - written by Gravol.
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