Chronic misuse of DXM can lead to long-lasting cognitive impairments affecting memory, concentration, and problem-solving skills. It’s also particularly hard on the liver, an effect compounded by the fact that DXM is often misused in combination with other substances that also affect the liver. In recent years, dextromethorphan has also been investigated for its role in treating other psychiatric conditions, such as the pseudobulbar affect and certain symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. Despite its promise, it is not considered the primary course of treatment for any condition other than coughing. This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with dextromethorphan.

The longer a person misuses stimulants and alcohol together, the higher the risk becomes of developing substance use disorders. Many people use cough remedies containing dextromethorphan, also called DXM, for quick cough relief. Its effectiveness is well known in over-the-counter medicines like Robitussin, and it is a widely used ingredient in many different cough remedies.

Side Effects

When DXM is the key ingredient in a cough and cold medicine, users will also experience other strong effects like dizziness or lightheadedness. As a result, users are told to avoid driving or operating heavy machinery for up to six hours after ingesting a medicine with this ingredient. For those seeking addiction or mental health treatment, The Recovery Village Indianapolis Drug and Alcohol Rehab stands as a beacon of hope.

What Are The Dangers of Mixing Alcohol With Dextromethorphan (DXM)?

In the short term, DXM can cause extreme drowsiness and sedation, impairing our dexterity, balance, reaction time, and mental clarity. Users may experience dizziness, confusion, and impaired motor coordination, increasing their risk of falls and injuries. It can also impair our judgment and decision-making abilities and lead to hallucinations, delusions, or a dissociative state. DXM suppresses coughing by reducing the activity of our central nervous system — the part of our brain responsible for breathing, blood pressure, and heart rate.

Painkillers

Delirium is a state of confusion or dissociation caused by many different things, including infection, illness, injury, and substance abuse. Delirious people may have trouble thinking clearly, they may be disoriented, and they may experience an out-of-body sensation. The effects of alcohol and dextromethorphan use can be very dangerous. Benadryl is a commonly used medicine for allergies that is available over the counter and with a prescription.

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Dextromethorphan (DXM), an ingredient in some of the most widely used cold medicines, is becoming increasingly popular as a recreational drug. It’s said to induce hallucinations and happiness, and it’s often mixed with other drugs to enhance their effects. Let’s look at how these two drugs work in the body and talk about why mixing DXM and alcohol makes for a particularly dangerous cocktail. Drowsiness and dizziness are common side effects of medications used to treat allergies, colds, and the flu. When the how long after taking dextromethorphan can i drink alcohol substances are combined, the effect is intensified, and your judgment and focus will be further impaired. Mixing isoniazid and ketoconazole with alcohol can also cause liver damage.

Hypertension Medications

Benadryl (diphenhydramine) is an over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamine drug commonly used to treat symptoms of allergies. It is a first-generation antihistamine with side effects such as drowsiness, slowed breathing, and sleepiness. In addition, herbal sleep remedies, like chamomile, valerian, and lavender, can cause increased drowsiness when mixed with alcohol. Some arthritis medicines, when combined with alcohol, can cause ulcers, stomach bleeding, and liver damage. Alcohol and medicines can cause harmful effects even if they’re not taken simultaneously. Sometimes, you can drink a few hours after taking a medication, other times you’ll need to wait a few days or longer.

• You might also experience withdrawal symptoms if you suddenly stop taking them.
• Paranoia can disrupt daily life and cause a person to miss work, school, or meaningful social engagements.
• It is never safe to combine any cough medicine containing dextromethorphan with alcohol, as this can lead to dangerous interactions and increased side effects.
• Intentionally combining dextromethorphan with alcohol to intensify the effects is also a type of substance misuse and it can lead to drug addiction.

Because it acts on such a critical part of our body, DXM has a wide range of side effects. Dextromethorphan, also known as DXM, is a cough suppressant used in many common cough and cold medicines. Not only does it suppress the subconscious cough reflex, but it suppresses the conscious feeling of irritation that causes us to cough when we’re sick. In addition, mixing alcohol and DXM can increase your risk of a potentially fatal DXM overdose.

Are there any severe side effects of combining Delsym and alcohol?

Combining two substances that affect the body in a similar manner can greatly increase the risk of overdose and exacerbate the negative effects these substances have on the body. Over 300 food and drugs might affect or be affected by the use of this substance and 72 are considered major interactions. But the most dangerous side effect of both substances is respiratory. Those that have developed a tolerance to lower quantities of the combo and therefore increase the volume they ingest are at an even higher risk of respiratory failure, which can lead to death.

However, even medications that don’t require a prescription can be unsafe when mixed with alcohol. One of the deadliest combinations is alcohol and narcotic pain medications. On their own, opioids can cause drowsiness, dizziness, slowed or impaired breathing, impaired motor control, abnormal behavior, and memory loss.

High doses of DXM can cause dangerous drug interactions with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). Your risk for overdose increases the more you take of either substance, because your liver gets overworked trying to metabolize them. You might also experience withdrawal symptoms if you suddenly stop taking them. Co-use can increase the common side effects of both, like becoming dizzy or drowsy, and increased heart rate. Read to learn how DXM and alcohol can affect the body and why you should avoid mixing them. Mild liver inflammation can occur in about 2% of people who take statins for a long time.

When misused at doses high enough to produce psychoactive effects, the central nervous system action of DXM can lead to significantly slowed breathing, which can be life-threatening. Alcohol can enhance the sedative effects of dextromethorphan present in Robitussin, leading to an increased risk of drowsiness, dizziness, and impaired motor skills. Additionally, if you have an underlying health condition like heart disease or high blood pressure (hypertension), mixing alcohol with your medications can put you at risk for complications. Additionally, drinking alcohol can also make the side effects of a medication worse or even cause new symptoms.

For example, women can experience the effects of mixing alcohol and medications more severely than men because of differences in metabolism. It is not recommended to drink alcohol if you have recently taken dextromethorphan as it can increase the risk of side effects and interactions. Regular dextromethorphan or alcohol abuse can weaken the body’s ability to function without them. As the body becomes more tolerant of the substances, more significant amounts are needed to achieve the desired effects. Among recreational users, dextromethorphan is known as skittles, triple c, or poor man PCP and it is often used with alcohol. This combination is sometimes called “Robo-tripping” or “Skittling.” This practice is popular because people want to experience the drug’s psychoactive effects.

There are several natural remedies for cough suppression, such as honey, ginger, and peppermint, that can be used as alternatives to dextromethorphan. Dextromethorphan has a half-life of around 2 to 4 hours, meaning it takes about 24 hours for the drug to be fully eliminated from your system. Paranoia can disrupt daily life and cause a person to miss work, school, or meaningful social engagements. However, these effects are generally not seen at standard therapeutic doses. Reframe supports you in reducing alcohol consumption and enhancing your well-being. You’ll meet millions of fellow Reframers in our 24/7 Forum chat and daily Zoom check-in meetings.

A sometimes-deadly combination of abused substances is the misuse of alcohol with a product containing dextromethorphan. When two system depressants are used together, the body can slow down dangerously, creating a powerful effect on the brain. Users will experience a slowed sense of coordination and ability to make judgments while also feeling a dulling of the senses.

Dextromethorphan is largely considered safe for most healthy adults when used as indicated. However, when combined with alcohol, dextromethorphan can be dangerous and cause potentially fatal complications. Mixing alcohol with cough syrup can interfere with the medication’s effectiveness. Moreover, it can prolong the duration of your illness by inhibiting the body’s ability to recover. In order to ensure your safety and well-being, it is advised to abstain from alcohol entirely for at least 24 hours after consuming cough syrup.

Some people intentionally take too much DXM, a practice called Robotripping, dexing and skittling. While the initial effects of Robitussin may subside after a few hours, it is still advisable to wait for at least four to six hours before consuming alcohol to avoid potential interactions. Combining alcohol with Robitussin too soon may intensify the sedative effects of the medicine, potentially resulting in extreme drowsiness, impaired judgment, and slowed reflexes. The dangers of mixing alcohol with prescription drugs are well known. When you pick your prescription up at the pharmacy, chances are the label or package insert will come with a warning if it is not safe to consume alcohol while you are taking the medication. Narcan (naloxone hydrochloride) is an opioid agonist—a medication that can help counteract the effects of opioid medications such as morphine, oxycodone, and heroin.