Tag: Cough medicine abuse

As recently as 2024, authorities reclassified some linctus formulations to prescription-only status due to concerns over misuse, dependency, and overdose. Knowing what happens if you have too much linctus is critical, as the consequences can be severe, even life-threatening, especially with products containing active ingredients like codeine or dextromethorphan.

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), dextromethorphan (DXM), the active ingredient in many cold medicines, is monitored due to its potential for misuse. The slang term 'Triple C' refers to Coricidin HBP Cough & Cold, an over-the-counter medication with a legitimate use for relieving cold and flu symptoms in people with high blood pressure, but is notoriously abused by teens and young adults for its dissociative effects.