Quick Answer
Taking 70 mg of dextromethorphan is likely safe for most adults in the short term, but high doses can cause dangerous side effects. The recommended maximum daily dose is 120 mg. Consuming very large amounts can lead to overdose. It’s best to follow dosage instructions on the product label or consult a doctor.
What is Dextromethorphan?
Dextromethorphan, also known as DXM, is a cough suppressant found in many over-the-counter cold and cough medicines. It works by depressing activity in the cough center of the brain, reducing the urge to cough.
Some common brand name cold medicines that contain dextromethorphan include NyQuil, Delsym, Robitussin, and Vicks 44. It is available in syrup, capsule, tablet, lozenge, and liquid gel capsule forms.
In addition to treating coughs, dextromethorphan has gained popularity as a recreational drug for its dissociative, psychedelic effects at high doses. However, consuming very large amounts carries serious health risks.
What is the Recommended Dosage?
The recommended therapeutic dosage for dextromethorphan depends on the patient’s age:
- Age 4-6: 15 mg every 4 hours, not exceed 90 mg in 24 hours
- Age 7-12: 30 mg every 4 hours, not exceed 120 mg in 24 hours
- Age 12+: 30-60 mg every 4 hours, not exceed 120 mg in 24 hours
Lower doses are recommended for children due to their smaller body size and sensitivity. Adult doses may be adjusted based on the severity of symptoms.
It’s important not to exceed the maximum daily dose to reduce the risk of side effects. Dextromethorphan should also not be used continuously for more than a few days without consulting a doctor.
Is 70 mg of Dextromethorphan Safe?
For most healthy adults, a single 70 mg dose of dextromethorphan is considered safe and unlikely to cause serious side effects. This amount is within the recommended limits of 30-60 mg every 4 hours, not exceeding 120 mg per day.
However, the following groups should exercise caution with 70 mg doses of dextromethorphan:
- Elderly patients – Increased risk of side effects due to slower metabolism
- Patients with liver disease – Impaired ability to metabolize the drug
- Children under 12 years old – Higher sensitivity to the effects
Additionally, taking 70 mg doses too frequently (such as every 2-3 hours) or consuming multiple doses within 24 hours can potentially lead to an accidental overdose. It’s crucial to carefully follow dosage directions and not exceed 120 mg per day.
What are the Side Effects of Dextromethorphan?
At recommended therapeutic doses, dextromethorphan is generally well tolerated. Side effects are usually mild and may include:
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Stomach pain
- Headache
- Blurred vision
These effects often resolve after a few hours as the body metabolizes and clears the drug. Taking dextromethorphan with food can help minimize upset stomach.
At very high doses, dextromethorphan starts to act more like dissociative anesthetics such as PCP or ketamine. Side effects may include:
- Euphoria and dissociative mental effects
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Disturbed coordination
- Nausea and vomiting
- Tachycardia (rapid heart rate)
- Blurred vision
- Numbness
- Neurological toxicity
Extremely high doses can also lead to seizures, coma, respiratory depression, and death. Recreational use should be avoided due to the risks.
What Happens if you Take Too Much?
Consuming excessive amounts of dextromethorphan can result in a dangerous overdose. Signs and symptoms include:
- Agitation
- Confusion
- Vomiting
- Tremors or lack of coordination
- Seizures
- Tachycardia
- Hypo- or hypertension
- Psychosis
- Impaired consciousness
- Respiratory depression
- Coma
The effects often start within 1-2 hours of overdosing as the drug gets rapidly absorbed and distributed throughout the body. Higher than recommended doses can produce profound intoxication and dangerous health consequences.
Some cases of recreational abuse have involved consuming up to 500-1500 mg in a single dose. This carries a high risk of severe reactions, including:
- Serotonin syndrome – Excessive serotonin activity causing muscle rigidity, high fever, seizures.
- Neurotoxicity – Damage to neurons in the brain.
- Hyperthermia – Life-threateningly high body temperature.
- Rhabdomyolysis – Breakdown of muscle fibers releasing toxins into blood.
- Respiratory arrest – Breathing stops completely.
Overdose can be fatal if emergency medical treatment is not promptly administered. Urgent medical care is vital for dextromethorphan poisoning.
How Much Dextromethorphan is Lethal?
The lethal dose of dextromethorphan has not been definitively established. However, acute overdoses above 1000 mg are potentially fatal.
Recreational users have suffered adverse effects and death after single doses ranging from 500 mg to 5000 mg. The risk of severe toxicity or fatal overdose rises substantially at doses exceeding 1000-1500 mg.
Factors that influence dextromethorphan toxicity include:
- Dose amount
- Frequency of use
- Presence of other drugs or medications
- Individual variations in metabolism
- Tolerance level
For example, first-time users with no tolerance may experience life-threatening effects at lower doses compared to chronic heavy users. Combining dextromethorphan with alcohol or other depressant drugs also increases overdose risk.
While the lethal dose varies between individuals, consuming more than 1500 mg should be considered a medical emergency with potential for fatal complications. Immediate medical treatment is vital to prevent serious harm or death.
Long-Term Effects of Abuse
Recreational abuse of dextromethorphan to get high carries many physical and mental health risks, especially with prolonged use:
- Physical dependence – Withdrawal symptoms when stopping use, requiring larger doses to get the same effect.
- Psychological addiction – Intense cravings, compulsive drug-seeking behavior.
- Tolerance – Larger, more dangerous doses needed to achieve intoxication.
- Respiratory issues – Cough suppressant effects increase risk of mucus buildup and aspiration.
- Neurological damage – Impaired cognition, memory and psychomotor performance.
- Mental illness – Psychosis, depression, anxiety disorders exacerbated by long-term abuse.
The risks of organ damage, mental impairment, and addiction rise substantially with high-dose, long-term dextromethorphan abuse. Treatment programs are often needed to safely stop using and recover normal functioning.
Signs of Addiction
Warning signs of dextromethorphan addiction may include:
- Taking doses well above therapeutic levels to get high
- Frequent urges and cravings to use DXM
- Continuing abuse despite negative consequences
- Building up a tolerance, needing more to feel effects
- Withdrawal symptoms when not using
- Hiding or lying about the extent of use
- Failing obligations at school, work, or home because of use
- Spending significant time, energy, and money obtaining DXM
- Using DXM in physically hazardous situations
- Giving up hobbies, activities, and social life to use
The more symptoms present, the more urgent it is to seek help through counseling, therapy, support groups, or drug rehab. Getting appropriate treatment can stop progression to severe substance use disorder.
Should You Use Dextromethorphan to Get High?
Dextromethorphan should never be used for the intention of getting high or intoxicated. Attempting to abuse cough medicine comes with many dangers:
- Overdose and organ damage from extremely high doses
- Interactions with other medications or health conditions
- Severe allergic reactions in sensitive individuals
- Physical and psychological dependence
- Impaired brain development when abused by adolescents
- Automobile crashes, falls, and other injuries while intoxicated
- Problems with school, work, finances, and relationships
- Legal issues around possession of abused medication
The risks substantially outweigh any perceived recreational benefit. Safer alternatives for managing cough or getting high legally do not exist. It’s best to use dextromethorphan only as directed by a doctor and avoid recreational abuse.
Drug Interactions
Dextromethorphan should not be combined with certain medications or drugs due to potentially dangerous interactions:
- MAO inhibitors – Serotonin syndrome risk. Requires 14 day withdrawal period before using DXM.
- SSRIs/SNRIs – Serotonin syndrome risk. Includes fluoxetine, paroxetine, venlafaxine.
- Tramadol – Risk of seizures and serotonin syndrome.
- Cocaine – Increased blood pressure, heart rate, and risk of stroke, seizure.
- Amphetamines – Tachycardia, hypertension, arrhythmias.
- Muscle relaxants – Enhanced sedative effects and respiratory depression.
- Alcohol – Excessive sedation, impaired coordination and breathing.
Combining dextromethorphan with stimulants like caffeine or nicotine may also increase agitation, blood pressure, and heart rate to dangerous levels.
It’s essential to inform your doctor of all current medications and discuss potential interactions before using dextromethorphan. Read labels carefully to identify compounds that should not be combined.
Safety Tips
To use dextromethorphan more safely and avoid potential harm:
- Carefully follow dosage directions – do not exceed
- Do not mix with alcohol, medications, or street drugs
- Avoid driving or hazardous activities when using
- Do not use with pre-existing liver disease or enzyme deficiencies
- Consult a doctor if cough persists longer than 7-10 days
- Store medicine safely away from children
- Never give cough medicine to children under 4 years without asking a doctor first
- Avoid use if you have glaucoma or trouble urinating
- Stop use and call emergency services if overdose symptoms appear
Using dextromethorphan responsibly under medical supervision can help gain relief from coughs while avoiding misuse and harm.
Conclusion
For most healthy adults, taking 70 mg of dextromethorphan is unlikely to cause serious side effects, provided it is an isolated dose within the daily limits. However, exceeding the maximum recommended amounts of 120 mg per day substantially increases the risks.
Dextromethorphan becomes dangerous at high recreational doses over 500-1000 mg, with potentially fatal overdose effects. It should never be used to get high due to the health hazards and likelihood of addiction. By following dosage directions carefully and avoiding misuse, dextromethorphan can be used safely to temporarily relieve coughs. But prolonged use or abuse requires caution to avoid severe adverse outcomes.
