The recreational abuse of cough suppressants such NyQuil to  is becoming a relatively common form of adolescent substance abuse. As a result, the FDA was considering whether to control them via prescriptions -- but for the time being, such regulation will not take place.

“The FDA advisory panel recognized that abuse was a concern in adolescents, but decided that DXM [dextromethorphan] was not enough of a threat to general public health to warrant its classification within the Controlled Substance Act, which would have allowed states to consider it for prescription-use only.” [Source: National Examiner]

Though products containing DXM won’t be listed as controlled substances, the FDA considered the possibility of requiring drug stores to keep the products behind the counter. The committee is also considering instituting a minimum age requirement for purchases.

Labels: cough_syrup, over-the-counter-drugs

Posted By: Stefanie Hamilton