Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0010200 (cough)
 23,843 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Cases involving ingestion of a dextromethorphan-containing product recorded at a poison control center were studied. A retrospective review of all consultations involving the ingestion of Coricidin HBP Cough & Cold tablets recorded by the California Poison Control System was conducted for the period from January 1 to October 1, 2000. Computerized charts on the consultations were reviewed to obtain data on patient age and sex, number of tablets taken, reason for tablet ingestion, symptoms, treatment, disposition, and outcome. A total of 92 charts (for 92 patients) documenting Coricidin HBP Cough & Cold tablet ingestion were reviewed. The reason for tablet ingestion was classified as abuse in 65 patients (71%), a suicide attempt in 8 (9%), misuse in 1 (1%), malicious administration in 1 (1%), and normal use (but with an adverse drug reaction) in 1 (1%); 16 patients (17%) consumed the tablets for an unknown reason. The 92 patients comprised 42 males and 50 females. Among all patients, 78 (85%) were 13-17 years old, and among those classified as having abusive intent, 58 (89%) were in the same age range. The most commonly reported signs and symptoms associated with ingestion were tachycardia (50 patients), hypertension (29), lethargy (40), mydriasis (20), agitation (15), ataxia or dizziness (20), and vomiting (9). Sixty-one patients (66%) had some alteration in mental status. Fifty-six (61%) were treated in the emergency department; 11 (12%) were admitted. All patients recovered completely. Information on the ingestion of Coricidin HBP Cough & Cold tablets recorded at a poison control center indicated a high rate of abuse of the product among teenagers.
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PMID:Abuse of Coricidin HBP cough & cold tablets: episodes recorded by a poison center. 1159 95

Dextromethorphan hydrobromide (DXM), a constituent of more than 125 patent cough/cold remedies, is the most popular antitussive medication in the United States. Cough syrups or capsules also contain additional ingredients such as acetaminophen, chlorpheniramine maleate, guaifenesin, and/or pseudoephedrine, and toxicity with overdosage is additive to that of dextromethorphan alone. An unknown number of adolescents in the United States and Europe intoxicate themselves with acute megadoses of dextromethorphan. A megadose of DXM is defined as 5 to 10 times the dose recommended for control of annoying nonproductive coughs. Although a moderate overdose of pure DXM hydrobromide is free of serious adverse effects, approximately 5% of persons of European ethnicity lack the ability to metabolize the drug normally, leading to rapid acute toxic levels. Variable quantities of pure dextromethorphan powder in multiples of 1 gram are easily available from the worldwide web, including e-Bay. Recipe-like extraction procedures are quickly available on the Internet for seemingly simple and inexpensive home manufacture of concentrated dextromethorphan powder from Coricidin HBP Cough & Cold tablets (street name triple C). Adolescents intoxicate themselves at parties and even before or after school since the drug is legal, relatively inexpensive, and easily purchased or shoplifted at drug or convenient stores. Acute megadoses of the drug have profound psychological and physiological effects similar to those of phencyclidine (PCP). Megadoses of dextromethorphan used to self-intoxicate, can produce a false-positive screening test for phencyclidine in a urine specimen.
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PMID:Adolescent abuse of dextromethorphan. 1615 60