FDA seeks to Throttle Robo-tripping Trend at Its Roots

As per information provided by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) there has been a steep augment in cough medication with constituent dextromethorphan (DXM) being abused by scores of people. As a consequence ER admissions in the recent past have shot up with fifty percent of them being youngsters in the age band of 12-20 years. The DEA has requested the FDA for looking into means of controlling this abhorrent trend.

Cough remedies such as Vicks, NyQuil are being recreationally used, the medicine being glugged down in syrupy form, mostly at 100 times the suggested dose. The horrendous practice is fondly dubbed by a myriad pet-names; skittles, dex, tussin, red devils and triple Cs. Presently encountered on the streets in blended form with other, far appetizing substances and known as ‘sizzurp’ (cocktail of fizz+ Jolly Rancher), ‘sippin syrup’ (coalesced with alcoholic drinks) and ‘purple drank’ (merged with fizz).

DXM (a cough suppressant) is not as effectual at curbing the prevalently occurring flu/cold caused coughs and obtainable OTC (over-the-counter) in over 120 product types like Nyquil Cough, Vicks 44, Coricidin, Robitussin DM. DXM usage as per directions is deemed safe according to the Food and Drug Administration. However merely standard dosages of the medicines could elicit agitated feelings, spasmodic sensations in muscles and allergy.

The over-usage or abuse has additionally been linked with grave side-effects inclusive of high cardiac rate and hypertension, puking, losing consciousness & co-ordination, delirium and ‘highs’ analogous to psychotropic drug forms. Several of such products additionally have other constituents like pain-allayer, fever-reducing acetaminophen that could harm the liver when abused or merged with alcoholic drinks. Decongestant/expectorant pseudoephedrine when overly used could be causal to hypertension.

DEA has pointed out that several websites online are furnishing comprehensive instructions on abusing such drugs which has played a part in spreading the robo-tripping trend. An express peek at ‘You Tube’ reveals several youngsters actually videotaping themselves as they abuse such medicines and posting their videos on the net. Pop culture could partly be influencing such behaviourisms with rap stars like Lil Wayne crooning to objectionable tunes of ‘sippin’ syrup’ and stances such as ‘weed & syrup till I die’. Just last year Katie Couric made a clean breast about being addicted to prescription-only cough medicines.

The FDA has reported that since the medicine’s observed safety, easy accessibility and needed psychoactive side-effects, it is been increasingly procured by people keen on altering the state of their minds.

The FDA has shortage of choices on adding regulations for DXM and would shortly be consulting a board of specialists for advice & guidance. FDA could curb medicines – presently easily obtainable at medical stores – to prescription-only. In most likelihood it would necessitate the medications to be obtainable behind counters or restricting procurements by people who are under-aged or below eighteen years old.

Teenagers and children are the ones with the maximum likelihood of abusing DXM, principally due to the medicine being easily accessible and comparatively reasonably priced.

Popularity: 5% [?]