Dextromethorphan is used as a temporary cough suppressant in official clinical prescription, though some formulations containing dextromethorphan are available over the counter, notes Medline Plus. However, many individuals use dextromethorphan as a narcotic, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which likens the effects to alcohol or ketamine, depending on dosage strength. Over time, the abuse of dextromethorphan can lead to a number of side effects.
Addiction
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration notes that in doses above and beyond recommended medical use, dextromethorphan is addictive. Those who metabolize the drug well are at higher risk of becoming dependent on dextromethorphan, and the "Journal of The American Board of Family Medicine" reports that issues with dextromethorphan addiction date back to the 1950s.
Bromide Poisoning
One of the effects of long-term abuse of dextromethorphan is bromide poisoning. Inchem reports that chronic use of the medication will produce bromide poisoning. In adults, daily doses of up to 960 mg may be tolerated, but the "Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine" notes that cognitive impairment may be another potential effect of the bromidism.
Hallucinations
"The Journal of The American Board of Family Medicine" notes that dextromethorphan has disassociative effect like PCP or ketamine. "The Journal of The American Board of Family Medicine" further notes that acute psychotic episodes and mania can result from long-term use of the medication in daily quantities of 100 mL to 400 mL.
Psychological Dependence and Depression
Long-term abuse of dextromethorphan can leave psychological marks on the brain. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration links dextromethorphan to both dependence on the medication for psychological state maintenance and mild to severe depression. "The Journal of The American Board of Family Medicine" noted that depressed mental states may be a result of withdrawal or down cycles in drug use.
Loss of Fine Motor Skills
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration links dextromethorphan abuse with impaired motor skills. Long-term abusers of dextromethorphan have reported trembling and tremors in the hands, according to the "Journal of The American Board of Family Medicine", which can prevent the successful accomplishment of fine work with the hands.
