{"id":7920,"date":"2020-01-29T10:00:59","date_gmt":"2020-01-29T15:00:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=7920"},"modified":"2025-10-20T15:07:53","modified_gmt":"2025-10-20T19:07:53","slug":"cough-syrup-addiction-abuse","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/cough-syrup-addiction-abuse\/","title":{"rendered":"Learn the dangers of a cough syrup addiction"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s common knowledge that <\/span>prescription drugs<\/span><\/a> can be addictive. But did you know that over-the-counter medications can be misused and abused? Cough syrup is completely safe (and useful) when used as intended. When you take too much\u2014intentionally or by accident\u2014it causes a high, like some illicit drugs. Some types are riskier than others, especially if you have teens or young children at home. Here\u2019s what you need to know to treat that nasty cold <\/span>and<\/span><\/i> stay safe.<\/span><\/p>\n

Is cough syrup addictive?\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

It depends. <\/span>There are a few different types of cough and cold medications on the market, and some may have ingredients that are considered safer and less risky to have at home.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere are two different ways that cough syrups may act depending on what medication you take,\u201d explains <\/span>Kimberly Brown, MD<\/span><\/a>, an emergency physician in Memphis, Tennessee. \u201cOne way is to suppress the cough (suppressant), and the other is to help loosen mucus to help it to be coughed up (expectorant).\u201d Based on what they do, the active ingredients are different\u2014and the risk for cough syrup addiction and abuse is different.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Cough suppressants<\/span><\/h3>\n

\u201c<\/span>Common active ingredients of cough syrup include codeine and dextromethorphan [DXM],\u201d says Kristi Torres, Pharm.D., pharmacist-in-charge with <\/span>The Austin Diagnostic Clinic Pharmacy<\/span><\/a> and a member of the SingleCare medical review board. \u201cBoth of these ingredients have the potential to cause drowsiness and impairment, and also have a potential for abuse.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

(Codeine cough syrups are only available over the counter in certain states, and even then many pharmacies will only dispense with a prescription.)\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If a patient has a persistent cough that is interrupting sleep, or impeding their daily functioning and productivity, their physician might prescribe a stronger cough medication. Prescription-strength cough syrups may contain codeine or hydrocodone, which are opioids with potential for addiction.<\/span><\/p>\n

Many cough syrups also contain alcohol, so patients who struggle with alcohol dependence or are sensitive to alcohol should always check the ingredient list, says Dr. Torres.<\/span><\/p>\n

Expectorants<\/span><\/h3>\n

\u201cExpectorants typically have guaifenesin, which is a medication that has a much lower risk of someone becoming addicted to it,\u201d Dr. Brown says.<\/span><\/p>\n

What happens if you take too much cough syrup?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Cough suppressants and expectorants are intended to treat short-term, non-chronic coughs, <\/span>such as the common cold<\/span><\/a>, in small doses. When they are taken too long, or in too high does, the negative effects come into play.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOver-the-counter cough syrups commonly contain a medication called dextromethorphan (DXM), which is biochemically similar to codeine,\u201d Dr. Brown says. \u201cWhen abused, dextromethorphan can cause dizziness, distortion of perception, and hallucinations.\u201d It\u2019s important that if you are taking over-the-counter prescription cough medications, you take them as directed, and that you\u2019re aware of the potential for abuse and addiction in ingredients like dextromethorphan, explains Dr. Brown.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Is cough syrup dangerous?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Misusing or abusing cough and cold syrup can be dangerous or even lethal. \u201cDXM affects the brain like some hallucinogens do, including ketamine and PCP, causing mild to severe hallucinations and out of body experiences accompanied by euphoria,\u201d says <\/span>Stephen Loyd, MD<\/span><\/a>, an internal medicine physician and associate professor at East Tennessee State University. \u201cDuring what some users may refer to as a \u2018bad trip,\u2019 DXM can cause users to injure themselves, become severely sick, or experience a rapid heart rate.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

What cough syrups are safe?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Cough syrup should ideally be used for extreme coughs, says Dr. Torres. Cough drops, honey, and warm drinks are alternatives that she suggests before reaching for cough syrup.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

An example of a medication available that doesn\u2019t include DXM is plain <\/span>Mucinex<\/span><\/a> (be sure to grab the box that says Mucinex, and not Mucinex DM, which does contain DXM), an expectorant that contains the ingredient guaifenesin. Dr. Brown also recommends benzonatate as an alternative, a prescription cough suppressant that works to numb the throat.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What cough syrups can be abused?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Some of the potentially <\/span>addictive ingredients<\/span><\/a> that can be found in cough and cold syrup include <\/span>dextromethorphan (DXM), <\/span>hydrocodone, and codeine. The list below includes some of the most common cough and cold medications that contain these ingredients.<\/span><\/p>\n