Abused Over-the-Counter Medications (Representative List)
| Class | Medication | Medical (Legal) Use | Nonmedical Use | Physical Findings of Nonmedical Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dietary supplements | Supplement with piperazine | Anorexia | Hallucinations | Acute psychosis |
| Dissociative substances | Dextromethorphan | Cough suppressant | Dissociative effect | Psychiatric effects |
| Coricidin | Decongestant | Euphoria | Euphoria psychosis | |
| Chlorpheniramine | Decongestant | Euphoria | Euphoria psychosis | |
| Dimenhydrinate | Antiemetic | Euphoria, hallucinations | Extreme euphoria, hallucinations | |
| Diphenhydramine | Sedation | Euphoria “high” | Tachycardia, euphoria, hallucinations, psychosis | |
| Stomach preparations | Calcium-bromide combinations | Antacid stomach medication | Euphoria, hallucinations | Neuropsychiatric symptoms |
| Stimulants | Nicotine gum | Smoking cessation | “High” | Agitation |
| Phenylpropanolamine | Decongestant | “High” physical performance enhancement | Agitation, rapid heartbeat | |
| Ephedrine | Anti-asthma | Prolonged erection and sexual performance | Priapism | |
| Pseudoephedrine | Decongestant | Prolonged erection and sexual performance | Priapism | |
| Methylephedrine | Decongestant | Prolonged erection and sexual performance | Priapism | |
| Caffeine | Awareness | Performance enhancement | Agitation, rapid heartbeat | |
| Ephedra | Stimulant | “High” | Agitation, tachycardia, flushing | |
| Cyclizine | Antihistamine | Euphoria | Euphoria | |
| Epinephrine | Bronchodilator | Euphoria | Headache, nausea, chest pains | |
| Laxatives | Oral and rectal laxatives | Anticonstipation | Psychological dependence | GI disturbances |
| Sedatives | Diphenhydramine | Sedation | Sedation | Somnolence, coma |
| Steroids | Androstenedione (herbal sources) | Hormone replacement | Exercise enhancement | Acne, glandular failure, hyperaggressive behavior |
| Herbal | Antidepressant | Antidepressant | Adverse psychiatric reactions | Psychosis |
| Detox cocktail | Detox from drugs | Serotonin syndrome | Psychosis |