One of the most common and easily accessible medications on your pharmacy shelf is cough syrup. Cough syrups can be used for relief of cough, and cold symptoms (and most would consider them to be safe use). However, one may not consider that an overdose of cough syrup could be dangerous or, an overdose can be fatal.
Most cough syrup contains other active ingredients such as dextromethorphan, codeine, chlorpheniramine, and preps based off of anti-histamine. These active ingredients can work in the body in different ways to mediate/relieve cough, however, when taken at larger than recommended doses, these agents, depending on dose and combination with other drug or alcohol, can cause harmful effects in relation to the brain, liver, and respiratory drive.
For example, dextromethorphan, when taken at larger than recommended doses (an example of an overdose) can be considered a psychoactive agent. An overdose is subject to change an otherwise healthy person’s brain function of operation, effecting his or her central nervous system.
The effects can vary from dizziness, confusion, hallucinations, increased heart rate, and lack of coordination. The worst case scenario of dextromethorphan can lead to respiratory depression and coma. Clearly, an overdose of dextromethorphan could be quite harmful. Likewise, even with coded substances in cough syrup acquired by a prescription, such as, a corticosteroid cough syrup, comes with its own risks of overdose due to codeine being an opioid-drug that also oh substantial risks of respiratory depression and overdose as well.
A hidden danger can come from other contents in cough syrup including sedating antihistamines and alcohol, which potentiate the depressant properties of the main medications and without careful monitoring for other medications or alcohol, the outcome could be devastating. The misuse of cough syrup, primarily among youth and adolescents looking for a “high”, is a growing epidemic referred to as “lean” or “syrup abuse”. This trend can lead to lasting health effects and emphasizes the need for public health interventions.
Pharmacists and other health professionals are in key position to help mitigate harm and risk of overdosing on cough syrup. Patient education on proper dosing, possible adverse effects, and avoidance of self-medication is imperative. Proper labelling of medications, restricting sales of codeine containing cough syrups and delivery methods, and awareness agent campaigns will also minimize misuse and misuse-related activity.
In summary, cough syrups are designed to be beneficial, and unintentional misuse can be avoided if patients are cognizant of potential outcomes. One extra spoonful may seem harmless, however, it can have detrimental and long lasting effects in health. Awareness, responsibility, and guidance from a qualified professional are the necessary means to provide medical relief and prevent medical harm.
Author is a pharmacy student.
