What are the effects of abusing dextromethorphan?
The effects of the abuse of cough medicines containing dextromethorphan vary with the amount taken. Common effects include confusion, dizziness, blurred vision, slurred speech, loss of physical coordination, stomach pain, vomiting, and rapid heart beat, and can vary from person to person. Those who have abused dextromethorphan describe different “plateaus” ranging from mild distortions of color and sound to visual hallucinations, “out of-body” dissociative sensations, and loss of motor control. The effects worsen as the dose increases. Side effects can also be worsened when the cough medicine being abuse contains other ingredients to treat more than just coughs or when combined with alcohol or illegal drugs.
