Are there any over-the-counter medicines being abused?

  • The most common one is cough medicine with dextromethorphan (DXM) abused for its almost hallucinogenic effects. 
  • Some over-the-counter drugs like pseudophedrine are mixed with other products such as nail polish removers and used to make illegal drugs like methamphetamine and GHB.
  • Over-the-counter drugs can cause adverse reactions due to medical conditions or other medications the user has already taken. Just because they are legally available without a prescription doesn’t mean they are safe, especially when not used according to directions.