Recently, a 13-year-old girl, Xiao Xin (pseudonym), was in a coma and convulsions after taking an overdose of dextromethorphan tablets, and her parents urgently took her to the pediatric intensive care unit of Jiangxi Provincial Children's Hospital for treatment. The situation was urgent, and the amount of medicine taken by Xiaoxin was unknown, and the medical staff immediately gave symptomatic treatment such as gastric lavage, rehydration, and diuresis.
The next day, Xiao Xin's consciousness gradually cleared.
"Xiao Xin, do you remember how many dextromethorphan you took?"
"I don't remember."
"How many plates did you eat, remember?"
"5 boards."
"How many pieces are there in a board?"
"15 pieces, huh?"
"And you ate 75 slices?"
"Probably, I don't remember."
"And where did this medicine come from?"
"Classmates gave it."
After a brief conversation with her, Xiao Xin fell asleep again......
Can dextromethorphan cough suppressant abuse be addictive?
Dextromethorphan, the full name of dextromethorphan hydrobromide, is a derivative of dextromorphine with antitussive effect, which is often used to treat cough caused by various respiratory infections. At conventional doses, dextromethorphan acts as a cough suppressant by inhibiting the cough center of the brain. When used in excess, it can cause hallucinations, "out-of-body" sensations, and a sense of separation, a neurobehavioral effect similar to that of ketamine (commonly known as K powder).
Children who take 10 tablets at one time or more than 20 tablets a day of dextromethorphan are very likely to become addicted after taking them for half a month, and the dosage will continue to increase in the later stage, which is very easy to cause physical harm, overdose and even have the risk of death, and may cause upset, restlessness, headache, dizziness, insomnia, runny nose and other withdrawal reactions after discontinuation, forming drug dependence.
Was dextromethorphan obtained from legitimate sources?
In December 2021, the State Food and Drug Administration (NMPA) converted dextromethorphan, which was originally an over-the-counter drug, to a prescription drug, in order to strengthen control. At the same time, the instructions were revised to remove "non-addictive and tolerable to long-term use" and to add a warning about drug overdose. Such measures, which may limit access to and use of medicines to some extent, are still far from sufficient, and as it stands, many children still have access to them through various means. In May 2024, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Regulations on the Administration of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, the National Medical Products Administration, the Ministry of Public Security, and the National Health Commission decided to adjust the list of psychotropic drugs to include dextromethorphan, diphenoxylate combination preparations, nalfuraphine, and lorcaserin in the list of Class II psychotropic drugs.
behind
It may be a psychological problem in adolescents
Compared to the health hazards caused by drugs, psychological problems are the source. Adolescent children who abuse dextromethorphan often lack family affection and may also have experienced superimposed psychological trauma as they grow up. This group is depressed in daily life, has a declining learning status, is not understood by parents and teachers, and turns their emotional appeals to drug abuse as a way to release their emotions. Long-term drug abuse may also increase the risk of drug involvement if this group is not guided and intervened in a timely manner.
If parents find that their children have abnormal psychological symptoms, please give care and guidance in time, and seek help from professional medical institutions in time if necessary.
PIZZA
Zhu Yourong: Director of PICU Department, Chief Physician, Doctor, mainly engaged in the treatment of critically ill children, especially for severe pneumonia, respiratory failure, ARDS, sepsis, pediatric shock, pediatric trauma, and pediatric mechanically assisted ventilation technology.
Visiting hours: Honggutan Campus, Tuesday internal medicine specialist outpatient clinic, Friday morning special outpatient clinic
Yuan Aiqun: Chief physician, specializing in pediatric mechanically assisted ventilation technology, diagnosis and treatment of pediatric infectious diseases, severe pneumonia, respiratory failure, ARDS, and pediatric shock.
Wu Weiping: Chief physician, specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of common acute and critical diseases such as acute respiratory failure, heart failure, renal failure, brain failure, multi-organ failure, severe pneumonia, sepsis, various shocks, acute poisoning, critical hand, foot and mouth disease, DIC, etc.
Visiting hours: Honggutan Campus, internal medicine specialist outpatient clinic on Wednesday, internal medicine special outpatient clinic on Monday afternoon
Chen Yuanyuan: Chief physician, she has accumulated rich clinical experience in common acute and critical diseases in children, such as acute respiratory failure, heart failure, multiple organ failure, severe pneumonia, sepsis, various shocks, and childhood trauma.
Visiting hours: East Lake Campus, Wednesday internal medicine specialist outpatient clinic
Rao Xiaoping: Deputy Chief Physician, good at CRRT technology, pediatric first aid and diagnosis and treatment of common critical diseases.
Visiting hours: East Lake Campus, Friday internal medicine specialist outpatient clinic
Source: Jiangxi Provincial Children's Hospital
Correspondents: Zhan Yishan, Luo Ying, Wei Meijuan
Editor: Huang Menglin
Reviewer: Chen Shirui
Issued: Daley Red
Picture: Some of the pictures in this article are from the Internet, the copyright belongs to the original author, if there is any infringement, please contact us to delete.