Dextromethorphan in the hands of a teenager – cheap and legal ticket on a „trip“

Česká verzia

Authors: J. Gécz ^1,2; M. Gecíková ¹; L. Géczová ^3,4; M. Brenner ¹; J. Buchanec ²
Authors place of work: Oddelenie urgentného príjmu Detskej fakultnej nemocnice s poliklinikou, Bratislavaprimár MUDr. M. Brenner ¹; Klinika detí a dorastu Jesseniovej lekárskej fakulty Univerzity Komenského a Univerzitnej nemocnice, Martinprednosta prof. MUDr. P. Bánovčin, CSc. ²; Ústav patologickej fyziológie Lekárskej fakulty Univerzity Komenského, Bratislavaprednosta prof. MUDr. M. Bernadič, CSc. ³; Klinika detskej hematológie a onkológie Lekárskej fakulty Univerzity Komenského a Detskej fakultnej nemocnice, Bratislavaprimárka MUDr. J. Horáková, PhD. ⁴
Published in the journal: Čes-slov Pediat 2014; 69 (6): 381-385.
Category: Short News

Summary

Dextromethorphan is a recreational drug, sold over the counter in pharmacies and abused by teenagers in Slovakia and Czech Republic. Often used as an antitussive drug, dextromethorphan becomes a disociative halucinogen in higher doses. It is an opioid derivate with fast action, relatively short elimination halftime, metabolized in liver and eliminated by kidneys. Dextromethorphan is not physicaly addictive, it is easily available and cheap. It´s excessive use brings a risk of serious adverse effects which can, in the worst scenario, lead to death. We acknowledge the spectrum of adverse effects personally while taking care of patients admitted to children hospitals.

Key words:
dextromethorphan, abuse, teenagers

Zdroje

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