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 |