Mania after misuse of dextromethorphan: a case report and brief review of "robotripping"

Dextromethorphan (DXM) in combination with antihistamines and/or pseudoephedrine is widely available as an over-the-counter remedy commonly used for relief of colds and cough. In supratherapeutic amounts, DXM can be extremely activating. These cough preparations have been adopted by many young users...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inJournal of addiction medicine Vol. 9; no. 2; p. 159
Main Authors Stanciu, Cornel N, Penders, Thomas M
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.03.2015
Subjects
Antitussive Agents - adverse effects
Bipolar Disorder - chemically induced
Dextromethorphan - adverse effects
Female
Humans
Nonprescription Drugs - adverse effects
Young Adult
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Summary:Dextromethorphan (DXM) in combination with antihistamines and/or pseudoephedrine is widely available as an over-the-counter remedy commonly used for relief of colds and cough. In supratherapeutic amounts, DXM can be extremely activating. These cough preparations have been adopted by many young users of recreational drugs for their psychoactive effects. When used in amounts exceeding those recommended, this practice, known as "robotripping," may result in a manic toxidrome of psychomotor agitation, hostility, grandiose behavior, hallucinations, paranoia, and panic. A case illustration of this phenomenon is described and implications of this phenomenon discussed. There are few reports associating DXM use with bipolar symptomatology.
ISSN:1935-3227
DOI:10.1097/ADM.0000000000000104