NJ Preps For New Cough Medicine Laws: Minors Can't Buy Nyquil, Robitussin, Other Meds

Starting next month, New Jersey residents will only be able to buy many brands of cough medicine if they’re an adult.

On Feb. 1, the state’s new law banning sales of dextromethorphan (DXM) – the ingredient found in many over-the-counter cough medicines such as Nyquil and Robitussin – will take effect.

Signed into law in October, the new rules prohibit the sale of OTC products containing DXM to children under 18 without a prescription.

“DXM is affordable, easy accessible, and legal… Unfortunately, that’s a combination which makes it appealing to teenagers who are taking increased doses to get high,” NJ Assemblywoman Mary Pat Angelini, who co-sponsored the legislation, stated at the time in a release.

New Jersey is the ninth state to enact legislation banning sales of products with DXM to minors.

The 2015 National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and University of Michigan’s Monitoring the Future survey - released in December - found that three percent of teens currently abuse of over-the-counter cough medicine containing DXM to get high, as opposed to six percent in 2006.

According to NIDA, “dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant and expectorant found in many OTC cold medicines… It may produce euphoria and dissociative effects or even hallucinations when taken in quantities greater than the recommended therapeutic dose.”

“When taken as intended, cough and cold medicines safely treat symptoms of lower and upper respiratory congestion and discomfort caused by colds and flu,” the NIDA states on its website. “But when taken in higher quantities or when such symptoms aren’t present, they may affect the brain in ways very similar to illegal drugs.”

The NIDA continues:

“When taken in high doses, DXM acts on the same cell receptors as dissociative hallucinogenic drugs like PCP or ketamine. Users describe effects ranging from mild stimulation to alcohol- or marijuana-like intoxication, and at high doses, sensations of physical distortion and hallucinations.”

WHAT PRODUCTS CONTAIN DXM?

According to www.erowid.org, the following products and brands may contain DXM:

1. Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold & Cough Medicine
   by Bayer Healthcare
   Active Ingredients (per tablet):
   
   • Aspirin 325 mg,
   • Chlorpheniramine Maleate 2 mg,
   • Phenylpropanolamine Bitartrate 20 mg,
   • DXM HBr 10 mg.
   Notes: In water the aspirin is converted into its soluble ionic form, sodium acetylsalicylate.
   
   
2. Alka-Seltzer Plus Night-Time Cold
   by Bayer Healthcare
   Active Ingredients (per effervescent tablet):
   
   • Aspirin 500 mg,
   • Doxylamine Succinate 6.25 mg,
   • Phenylpropanolamine
   • Bitartrate 20 mg,
   • DXM HBr 15 mg.
   Notes: In water the aspirin is converted into its soluble ionic form, sodium acetylsalicylate. Doxylamine Succinate is an antihistamine.
   
   
3. Alka-Seltzer Plus Night Cold Formula
   by Bayer Healthcare
   Active Ingredients (per effervescent tablet):
   
   • Acetaminophen 250 mg,
   • Doxylamine Succinate 6.25 mg,
   • Phenylephrine HCl 5 mg,
   • DXM HBr 10 mg.
   
   
4. Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold & Cough Formula Liquid Gels
   by Bayer Healthcare
   Active Ingredients (per softgel):
   
   • DXM HBr 10 mg,
   • Chlorpheniramine Maleate 2 mg,
   • Phenylephrine hydrochloride 5 mg,
   • Acetaminophen 325 mg.
   Notes: Not recommended because of Acetaminophen. The Chlorpheniramine Maleate is an antihistamine and the Phenylephrine HCl (which has replaced Pseudoephedrine HCl) is a nasal decongestant.
   
   
5. Alka-Seltzer Plus Night Cold Formula Liquid Gels
   by Bayer Healthcare
   Active Ingredients (per softgel):
   
   • DXM HBr 15 mg
   • Doxylamine Succinate 6.25 mg,
   • Pseudoephedrine HCl 30 mg,
   • Acetaminophen 325 mg.
   
   
6. Alka-Seltzer Plus Day Non-Drowsy Cold Formula Liquid Gels
   Alka-Seltzer Plus Day & Night Cold Formula Liquid Gels
   by Bayer Healthcare
   Active Ingredients (per softgel):
   
   • DXM HBr 10 mg,
   • Phenylephrine hydrochloride 5 mg,
   • Acetaminophen 325 mg.
   **A number of other Alka-Seltzer formulations not listed here contain DXM plus other ingredients.
   
   
7. Benylin Expectorant
   by Johnson & Johnson (Canada)
   Active Ingredients (per teaspoonful/5mL):
   
   • DXM HBr 5 mg,
   • Guaifenesin 100 mg.
   
   
8. Benylin DM-D-E Extra Strength Chest Cough and Cold
   by Johnson & Johnson (Canada)
   Active Ingredients (per teaspoonful/5mL):
   • DXM HBr 15 mg,
   • Pseudoephedrine HCl 30 mg,
   • Guaifenesin 200 mg.
   
   
9. Benylin Dry Coughs Original / Non-Drowsy
   by Johnson & Johnson (United Kingdom)
   Active Ingredients (per teaspoonful/5mL):
   
   • DXM HBr 7.5 mg.
   **A number of other Benylin formulations not listed here contain DXM plus other ingredients.
   
   
10. Buckley’s Mixture [DM]
    by Buckley’s (owned by Novartis)
    Active Ingredients (per teaspoonful/5mL):
    
    • DXM HBr 12.5 mg
    Note: In Canada, Buckley’s DM contains DXM, their main product “Buckley’s Mixture” does not contain any DXM in Canada. Buckley’s Mixture [DM] is in a sugar-free base and contains several herbal ingredients which may not be appropriate for high-dose use. Ammonium Carbonate, Potassium Bicarbonate, Menthol, & Camphor.
    
    
11. Caffetin Cold
    by Alkaloid AD, Skopje, Macedonia
    Active Ingredients (per tablet):
    
    • DXM HBr 15 mg,
    • Pseudoephedrine 30 mg,
    • Paracetamol (Acetaminophen) 500 mg,
    • Ascorbic acid 60 mg.
    Note: This product is sold in Europe.
    
    
12. Cerose DM
    by Wyeth-Ayerst
    Active Ingredients (per teaspoonful/5mL):
    
    • DXM HBr 15 mg,
    • Chlorpheniramine Maleate 4 mg,
    • Phenylephrine HCl 10 mg,
    • Alcohol 2.4%.
    
    
13. Cheracol-D Cough Formula
    by Roberts
    Active Ingredients (per teaspoonful/5mL):
    
    • DXM HBr 10 mg,
    • Guaifenesin 100 mg,
    • Alcohol 4.75%.
    
    
14. Cheracol Plus Cough Syrup Multisymptom Cough/Cold Formula
    by Roberts
    Active Ingredients (per tablespoonful/15mL):
    
    • DXM HBr 20 mg,
    • Phenylpropanolamine HCl 25 mg,
    • Chlorpheniramine Maleate 4 mg,
    • Alcohol 8%.
    
    
15. Comtrex Day/Night Cough & Cold Maximum Strength
    by Novartis Consumer Health
    Active Ingredients (per caplet):
    
    • Acetaminophen,
    • DXM HBr,
    • Chlorpheniramine Maleate,
    • Phenylephrine HCl.
    
    
16. Comtrex Non-Drowsy Cough & Cold Maximum Strength
    by Novartis Consumer Health
    Active Ingredients (per caplet):
    
    • Acetaminophen 325 mg,
    • DXM HBr 10 mg,
    • Phenylephrine HCl 5 mg.
    
    
17. Coricidin [HBP] Cough & Cold Tablets
    by Schering-Plough HealthCare
    Active Ingredients (per tablet):
    
    • Chlorpheniramine Maleate 4 mg,
    • DXM HBr 30 mg.
    Note: This is one of the more problematic products as some people have very strong reactions to Chlorpheniramine Maleate, which is present at higher doses in tablets of this product. There have been several reports of significant negative reactions (including fatalities) to this product when taken in high doses.
    
    
18. Coricidin [HBP] Chest Congestion & Cold Tablets
    by Schering-Plough HealthCare
    Active Ingredients (per tablet):
    
    • Guaifenesin 200 mg,
    • DXM HBr 10 mg.
    
    
19. Coricidin HBP Maximum Strength Flu Tablets
    by Schering-Plough HealthCare
    Active Ingredients (per tablet):
    
    • Acetaminophen 500 mg,
    • Chlorpheniramine Maleate 2 mg,
    • DXM HBr 15 mg
    
    
20. Cough X Lozenges
    by Ascher
    Active Ingredients (per lozenge):
    
    • DXM HBr 5 mg,
    • Benzocaine 2 mg.
    Note: This product’s availability and ingredients list could not be verified with reliable online sources (Feb 2008)
    
    
21. Creomulsion Cough Medicine Adult Formula
    Active Ingredients: (per teaspoonful/5mL):
    
    • DXM HBr 20 mg,
    • Alcohol 1.4%
    Other ingredients:
    
    • Beechwood Creosote, Menthol, Caramel, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Corn Syrup, Sucrose and Purified Water.
    
    
22. CVS Tussin Maximum Strength Cough Formula
    Active Ingredients: (per teaspoonful/5mL):
    
    • DXM HBr 15 mg,
    • Alcohol 1.4%
    
    
23. CVS Tussin Cough Liquid Gels
    Active Ingredients: (per liquid gel):
    
    • DXM HBr 15 mg.
    
    
24. CVS Tussin DM Cough Formula
    Active Ingredients (per teaspoonful/5mL):
    
    • DXM HBr 10 mg,
    • Guaifenesin HCl 100 mg
    
    
25. CVS Tussin CF Cough & Cold Liquid
    Active Ingredients (per teaspoonful/5mL):
    
    • DXM HBr 10 mg,
    • Guaifenesin HCl 100 mg
    • Phenylephrine HCl 5 mg
    
    
26. Delsym Extended-Release Suspension
    by Adams Respiratory Therapeutics
    Active Ingredients (per teaspoonful/5mL):
    • DXM Polistirex
    Notes: DXM Polistirex is a different form than DXM Hydrobromide. Contains DXM Polistirex equivalent to approx 30 mg of DXM HBr.
    
    
27. DexAlone
    by Xanodyne
    Active Ingredients (per gelcap):
    • DXM HBr 30 mg.
    Note: This product’s availability and ingredients list could not be verified with reliable online sources (Feb 2008)
    
    
28. Dimetapp Cold & Cough DM Elixir (Children’s Formula)
    by Wyeth Consumer Healthcare
    Active Ingredients (per teaspoonful/5mL):
    
    • Brompheniramine Maleate 1 mg,
    • Phenylephrine HCl 2.5 mg,
    • DXM HBr 5 mg.
    
    
29. Dimetapp Long-Acting Cough Plus Cold (Children’s Formula)
    by Wyeth Consumer Healthcare
    Active Ingredients (per teaspoonful/5mL):
    
    • Chlorpheniramine Maleate 1 mg,
    • DXM HBr 7.5 mg.
    
    
30. Drixoral Cough Liquid Caps
    by Schering-Plough HealthCare
    Active Ingredients (per softgel):
    
    • DXM HBr 30 mg.
    Note: This information may be out of date; while Drixoral is listed on the Schering-Plough website, no literature about it is included (Feb 2008)
    
    
31. Drixoral Cough + Congestion Liquid Caps
    by Schering-Plough HealthCare
    Active Ingredients (per softgel):
    
    • DXM HBr 30 mg,
    • Pseudoephedrine HCl 60 mg.
    Note: This information may be out of date; while Drixoral is listed on the Schering-Plough website, no literature about it is included (Feb 2008)
    
    
32. Drixoral Cough + Fever
    by Schering-Plough HealthCare
    Active Ingredients (per softgel):
    
    • Acetaminophen
    • DXM HBr
    Note: This information may be out of date; while Drixoral is listed on the Schering-Plough website, no literature about it is included (Feb 2008)
    
    
33. Drixoral Cough + Sore Throat Liquid Caps
    by Schering-Plough HealthCare
    Active Ingredients (per softgel):
    
    • DXM HBr 15 mg,
    • Acetaminophen 325 mg.
    Note: This information may be out of date; while Drixoral is listed on the Schering-Plough website, no literature about it is included (Feb 2008)
    
    
34. Duract Max Strength Cough QuickMelt Tablets
    by Matrixx Initiatives
    Active Ingredients (per tablet):
    
    • DXM HBr 30 mg
    
    
35. Mucinex DM
    by Adams Respiratory Therapeutics
    Active Ingredients (per extended release tablet):
    
    • DXM HBr extended release 30 mg,
    • Guaifenesin 600 mg.
    
    
36. PediaCare Children’s Long-Acting Cough Liquid
    by McNeil-PPC
    Active Ingredients (per teaspoonful/5mL):
    
    • DXM HBr 7.5 mg.
    
    
37. PediaCare Children’s Multi-Symptom Cold Liquid
    by McNeil-PPC
    Active Ingredients (per teaspoonful/5mL):
    
    • Phenylephrine 15 mg,
    • DXM HBr 5 mg.
    
    
38. Robitussin CoughGels Long-Acting
    by Wyeth Consumer Healthcare
    Active Ingredients (per softgel):
    
    • DXM HBr 15 mg.
    
    
39. Robitussin Cough DM Liquid
    by Wyeth Consumer Healthcare
    Active Ingredients (per tsp/5ml):
    
    • DXM HBr 10 mg,
    • Guaifenesin 100 mg.
    
    
40. Robitussin Cough Long-Acting Liquid
    by Wyeth Consumer Healthcare
    Active Ingredients (per tsp/5ml):
    
    • DXM HBr 15 mg,
    **A number of other Robitussin formulations not listed here contain DXM plus other ingredients.
    
    
41. Sucrets 8-Hour Cough Relief DM Cough Formula Lozenges
    by Insight Pharmaceuticals
    Active Ingredients (per lozenge):
    
    • DXM HBr 10 mg.
    
    
42. Sudafed Multi-Symptom Cold & Cough LiquidCaps
    by McNeil-PPC
    Active Ingredients (per softgel):
    
    • DXM HBr 10 mg,
    • Guaifenesin 100 mg,
    • Pseudoephedrine HCl 30 mg,
    • Acetaminophen 250 mg.
    
    
43. Children’s Sudafed Cold & Cough Liquid
    by McNeil-PPC
    Active Ingredients (per teaspoonful/5mL):
    
    • Pseudophedrine HCl 15 mg,
    • DXM HBr 5 mg,
    
    
44. Theraflu Cold & Cough Hot Liquid
    by Novartis Consumer Health
    Active Ingredients (per packet):
    
    • Phenylephrine HCl 10 mg,
    • Pheniramine Maleate 20 mg,
    • DXM HBr 20 mg.
    
    
45. Theraflu ThinStrips Daytime Cold & Cough
    by Novartis Consumer Health
    Active Ingredients (per strip):
    
    • Phenylephrine HCl 10 mg,
    • DXM 14.8 mg (equivalent to DXM HBr 20 mg).
    
    
46. Theraflu Daytime Severe Cold Caplets
    by Novartis Consumer Health
    Active Ingredients (per caplet):
    
    • DXM HBr 15 mg,
    • Phenylephrine HCl 5 mg,
    • Acetaminophen 325 mg.
    
    
47. Theraflu Nighttime Severe Cold Caplets
    by Novartis Consumer Health
    Active Ingredients (per caplet):
    
    • DXM HBr 15 mg,
    • Phenylephrine HCl 5 mg,
    • Acetaminophen 325 mg,
    • Chlorpheniramine Maleate 2 mg.
    
    
48. Triaminic Daytime Cold & Cough Liquid
    by Novartis Consumer Health
    Active Ingredients (per teaspoonful/5mL):
    
    • Phenylephrine HCl 2.5 mg,
    • DXM HBr 5 mg.
    
    
49. Triaminic Long-Acting Cough Liquid
    by Novartis Consumer Health
    Active Ingredients (per teaspoonful/5mL):
    
    • DXM HBr 7.5 mg.
    
    
50. Triaminic Thin-Strips Long-Acting Cough
    by Novartis Consumer Health
    Active Ingredients (per strip):
    
    • DXM 5.5 mg (equivalent to DXM HBr 7.5 mg).
    **Several other Triaminic formulations not listed here contain DXM plus other ingredients. Triaminicol (Canada) was discontinued 07-30-2001 [Health Canada Drug Products Database]
    
    
51. TYLENOL Cough & Sore Throat Daytime Liquid
    by McNeil Consumer Health
    Active Ingredients (per Tbs/15 ml):
    
    • Acetaminophen 500 mg,
    • DXM HBr 15 mg.
    
    
52. TYLENOL Cold Multi-Symptom Daytime Liquid
    TYLENOL Cold Multi-Symptom Daytime Rapid Release Gelcaps
    TYLENOL Cold Multi-Symptom Daytime CoolBurst Caplets
    TYLENOL Cold Multi-Symptom Daytime Gelcaps
    by McNeil Consumer Health
    Active Ingredients (per Tbs/15 ml liquid; per tablet/gelcap):
    
    • Acetaminophen 325 mg,
    • DXM HBr 10 mg,
    • Phenylephrine 5 mg.
    **Several other TYLENOL formulations not listed here contain DXM plus other ingredients. All TYLENOL formulations contain Acetaminophen. See Tylenol.com
    
    
53. PediaPressin Drops
    by Quintex
    Active Ingredients (per drop):
    
    • Pseudoephedrine HCl 15 mg,
    • Guaifenesin 50 mg,
    • DXM HBr 5 mg. Note: This product’s availability and ingredients list ould not be verified with reliable online sources (Feb 2008)
    
    
54. Scot-Tussin Sugar-Free DM Maximum Strength
    by Scot-Tussin
    Active Ingredients (per teaspoonful/5mL):
    
    • DXM HBr 15 mg,
    • Chlorpheniramine Maleate 2 mg.
    Notes: This contains pure DXM, not DXM HBr.
    
    
55. Suppressin DM Caplets
    by Quintex
    Active Ingredients (per caplet):
    
    • DXM HBr 15 mg,
    • Guaifenesin 200 mg. Note: This product’s availability and ingredients list ould not be verified with reliable online sources (Feb 2008)
    
    
56. Vicks Formula 44 Maximum Strength Cough Relief
    by Procter & Gamble
    Active Ingredients (per tablespoon/15ml):
    
    • DXM HBr 30 mg.
    
    
57. Vicks Formula 44D Cough & Head Congestion Relief
    by Procter & Gamble
    Active Ingredients (per tablespoonful/15mL):
    
    • DXM HBr 20 mg,
    • Phenylephrine HCl 10 mg.
    
    
58. (Pediatric) Vicks Formula 44e Cough & Chest Congestion Relief
    by Procter & Gamble
    Active Ingredients (per tablespoonful/15mL):
    
    • DXM HBr 10 mg,
    • Guaifenesin 100 mg.
    
    
59. (Pediatric) Vicks Formula 44m Cough & Cold Relief
    by Procter & Gamble
    Active Ingredients (per tablespoonful/15mL):
    
    • DXM HBr 15 mg,
    • Chlorpheniramine Maleate 2 mg.
    
    
60. Vicks Formula 44E Cough & Chest Congestion Relief
    by Procter & Gamble
    Active Ingredients (per tablespoonful/15mL):
    
    • DXM HBr 20 mg,
    • Guaifenesin 200 mg.
    
    
61. Vicks Formula 44M Cough, Cold & Flu Relief
    by Procter & Gamble
    Active Ingredients (per teaspoonful/5mL):
    
    • DXM HBr 7.5 mg,
    • Chlorpheniramine Maleate 1 mg,
    • Acetaminophen 162.5.
    
    
62. Vicks Children’s NyQuil Cold & Cough
    by Procter & Gamble
    Active Ingredients (per tablespoonful/15mL):
    
    • DXM HBr 15 mg,
    • Chlorpheniramine Maleate 2 mg.
    
    
63. Vicks DayQuil Cold/Flu Relief
    by Procter & Gamble
    Active Ingredients (per tablespoonful/15mL):
    
    • Phenylephrine HCl 5 mg,
    • Acetaminophen 325 mg,
    • DXM HBr 10 mg.
    
    
64. Vicks Dayquil Cough
    by Procter & Gamble
    Active Ingredients (per tablespoonful/15mL):
    
    • DXM HBr 15 mg.
    
    
65. Vicks DayQuil Cold/Flu Relief LiquiCaps
    by Procter & Gamble
    Active Ingredients (per softgel):
    
    • Phenylephrine HCl 5 mg,
    • Acetaminophen 325 mg,
    • DXM HBr 10 mg.
    
    
66. Vicks NyQuil Cold & Flu Relief LiquiCaps
    by Procter & Gamble
    Active Ingredients (per softgel):
    
    • DXM HBr 15 mg,
    • Doxylamine Succinate 6.25 mg,
    • Acetaminophen 325 mg.
    
    
67. Vicks NyQuil Cold & Flu Relief Liquid
    by Procter & Gamble
    Active Ingredients (per tablespoon/15ml):
    
    • DXM HBr 15 mg,
    • Doxylamine Succinate 6.25 mg,
    • Acetaminophen 500 mg.
    
    
68. Zicam Cough Relief
    by Matrixx Initiatives
    Active Ingredients (per spray):
    
    • DXM HBr 5 mg
    
    
69. Zicam Cough Max
    Zicam Cough Max Nighttime
    by Matrixx Initiatives
    Active Ingredients (per spray):
    
    • DXM HBr 6 mg
    
    
70. Zicam Cough Plus D
    by Matrixx Initiatives
    Active Ingredients (per spray):
    
    • DXM HBr 5 mg
    • Phenylephrine HCl 3.3 mg
    
    
71. Zicam Cough Max Melts
    Zicam Cough Max Nighttime
    by Matrixx Initiatives
    Active Ingredients (per tablet):
    
    • DXM HBr 30 mg