Dextromethorphan in the hands of a teenager – cheap and legal ticket on a „trip“
Authors:
J. Gécz 1,2; M. Gecíková 1; L. Géczová 3,4; M. Brenner 1; J. Buchanec 2
Authors‘ workplace:
Oddelenie urgentného príjmu Detskej fakultnej nemocnice s poliklinikou, Bratislavaprimár MUDr. M. Brenner
1; Klinika detí a dorastu Jesseniovej lekárskej fakulty Univerzity Komenského a Univerzitnej nemocnice, Martinprednosta prof. MUDr. P. Bánovčin, CSc.
2; Ústav patologickej fyziológie Lekárskej fakulty Univerzity Komenského, Bratislavaprednosta prof. MUDr. M. Bernadič, CSc.
3; Klinika detskej hematológie a onkológie Lekárskej fakulty Univerzity Komenského a Detskej fakultnej nemocnice, Bratislavaprimárka MUDr. J. Horáková, PhD.
4
Published in:
Čes-slov Pediat 2014; 69 (6): 381-385.
Category:
Short News
Overview
Dextromethorphan is a recreational drug, sold over the counter in pharmacies and abused by teenagers in Slovakia and Czech Republic. Often used as an antitussive drug, dextromethorphan becomes a disociative halucinogen in higher doses. It is an opioid derivate with fast action, relatively short elimination halftime, metabolized in liver and eliminated by kidneys. Dextromethorphan is not physicaly addictive, it is easily available and cheap. It´s excessive use brings a risk of serious adverse effects which can, in the worst scenario, lead to death. We acknowledge the spectrum of adverse effects personally while taking care of patients admitted to children hospitals.
Key words:
dextromethorphan, abuse, teenagers
Sources
1. Schwartz AR, Pizon AF, Brooks DE. Dextromethorphan – induced serotonin syndrome. Clin Toxicol (Phila) 2008; 46 (8): 771–773.
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3. Pechnick RN, Poland RE. Comparison of the effects of Dextromethorphan, Dextrorphan, and Levorphanol on the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis. Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics 2004; 309 (2): 515–522.
4. Ogu CC, Maxa JL. Drug interactions due to cytochrome P450. Proc (Bayl Univ Med Cent) 2000; 13 (4): 421–423.
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6. Bailey DG, Dresser GK, Bend JR. Bergamottin, lime-juice, and red wine as inhibitors of cytochrome P450 3A4 activity: comparison with grapefruit juice. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2003; 73 (6): 529–537.
7. Bem JL, Peck R. Dextromethorphan. An overview of safety issues. Drug Saf 1992; 7 (3): 190–199.
8. http://www.adcc.sk/web/humanne-lieky/ucinna-latka/dextrometorfan-5451.html.
9. http://www.sukl.cz/uploads/medication/export-8355.zip.
10. http://www.infodrogy.estranky.cz/clanky/dextrometorfan--dxm-.html.
Labels
Neonatology Paediatrics General practitioner for children and adolescentsArticle was published in
Czech-Slovak Pediatrics
2014 Issue 6
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