Both alcohol and DXM are central nervous system depressants, meaning they decrease the activity of the neurons of the brain and spinal cord. Taking two central nervous system depressants together enhances their actions, potential side effects, and potential dangers, often far more significantly than using either alone. There are many dextromethorphan warnings to consider, but the most severe ones have to do with combining DXM and other substances, especially alcohol. Chronic misuse of DXM can lead to long-lasting cognitive impairments affecting memory, concentration, and problem-solving skills. It’s also particularly hard on the liver, an effect compounded by the fact that DXM is often misused in combination with other substances that also affect the liver. In the short term, DXM can cause extreme drowsiness and sedation, impairing our dexterity, balance, reaction time, and mental clarity.

Mixing Alcohol and DXM

Dextromethorphan has a half-life of around 2 to 4 hours, meaning it takes about 24 hours for the drug to be fully eliminated from your system. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if or how dextromethorphan could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. Dextromethorphan may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious.

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Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns. Dextromethorphan misuse is dangerous, and it can lead to long-lasting health effects — much like alcohol can. When we consider the complexities of DXM and its interactions, especially with alcohol, we unravel a narrative filled with potential risks and unintended consequences. While DXM can be a valuable medicinal tool, mixing DXM and alcohol opens the door to a wide range of health hazards. By understanding the risks, recognizing the signs of misuse, and taking proactive steps for safe use, we can ensure that DXM serves its intended purpose without compromising our health and safety.

Others use DXM as a substitute for alcohol, thinking it offers a “safer” way to get drunk. The accessibility of DXM leads many to underestimate its dangers compared to illegal drugs. But make no mistake – abusing DXM is never safe, and adding alcohol alcohol and dextromethorphan to the mix creates a recipe for disaster. Dextromethorphan (DXM) is an active ingredient in many cough, cold and flu medicines.

A hospital or detoxification center will aid in your withdrawal from drugs or alcohol by prescribing medications to reduce your symptoms while increasing your comfort levels. Also, medical staff will monitor your physical condition to maintain your health and safety. If you struggle with drinking while taking DXM or are mixing DXM and alcohol to get high, stopping can seem overwhelming. At The Recovery Village Kansas City, our medical detox staff can help you wean off alcohol and DXM safely and comfortably. We also have inpatient rehab, intensive outpatient treatment, partial hospitalization and aftercare programs to help support your long-term sobriety. In addition, mixing alcohol and DXM can increase your risk of a potentially fatal DXM overdose.

The Severe Risks of Mixing DXM and Alcohol

• Abusers describe more negative effects, including serious vomiting, and some have been admitted to the hospital with alcohol poisoning.
• A 2024 study showed a link between using GLP-1 drugs (such as Ozempic) and reduced alcohol consumption in people with alcohol use disorder.
• Afterward, participants and researchers returned to the drinking lab to repeat the process.
• But large doses of DXM with binge drinking can increase health problems for both the mother and fetus.
• Abusing these drugs can result in intoxication, overdose, and addiction.
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Combining two substances that affect the body in a similar manner can greatly increase the risk of overdose and exacerbate the negative effects these substances have on the body. When participants returned to the living room lab at the end of the study, those taking semaglutide drank about 40% less alcohol than those on placebo, the study found. In additional measures in the study, participants on the medicine also drank fewer drinks per day overall and had fewer heavy drinking days, as well as reduced cravings for alcohol.

Drug and food interactions

While there is debate about the physically addictive potential of DXM, psychological addiction can occur in the form of cravings for the substance. Additionally, long-term, excessive usage of DXM has been linked with persistent psychotic symptoms that may last beyond use. And there is no debate about the potential for addiction and potentially life-threatening effects of alcohol use. Gaining awareness of the signs and symptoms of alcohol use, DXM abuse and the combined effects of the use of both substances will provide you with the ability to monitor and detect whether someone is abusing one or both drugs. The Recovery Village Indianapolis offers comprehensive addiction treatment for drug and alcohol addictions and co-occurring mental health conditions.

Other medications and drugs can interact with DXM and alcohol, increasing harmful effects on the body. These include stimulant drugs like amphetamines and depressant drugs like benzodiazepines. Your risk for overdose increases the more you take of either substance, because your liver gets overworked trying to metabolize them. You might also experience withdrawal symptoms if you suddenly stop taking them.

Clinical assessments also indicated that semaglutide (compared to placebo injections) reduced weekly alcohol craving, reduced average drinks on drinking days, and led to greater reductions in heavy drinking days, relative to placebo. One of the main safety concerns with taking cough drops while drinking alcohol is the risk of interactions with dextromethorphan (DXM). DXM is a cough suppressant that works by depressing activity in the brain centers responsible for coughing. When taken in very high doses, DXM can produce euphoric effects similar to dissociative hallucinogens. Dextromethorphan (DXM) is a drug found in many over-the-counter cough and cold medicines like Robitussin, Delsym, and Mucinex DM.

• When taken together, their effects are heightened and the dangers of each are potentiated.
• We specialize in compassionate, evidence-based care tailored to your needs.
• Using DXM and alcohol in combination represents a dangerous and potentially fatal practice.
• The fact that Ozempic slows the emptying of your stomach, plus its effect on blood sugar, could contribute to a hangover if you combine the drug with alcohol.
• Also known as alcoholism, AUD has been linked to an increased risk for many diseases, including heart disease, liver disease, osteoporosis, dementia, and digestive issues.

Smokers in the study who got the semaglutide also cut back on cigarettes, noted Luba Yammine of UTHealth Houston, who is leading other research on GLP-1 drugs for people who want to quit smoking. It’s unclear how safe the drugs would be for a person of normal weight, Klein said. The study also found a 40% lower rate of opioid overdose among people with opioid use disorder who were using GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic.

Using DXM and alcohol in combination represents a dangerous and potentially fatal practice. Because both drugs are central nervous system depressants, using them in combination enhances both their effects and can lead to numerous potentially serious conditions. The potential dangers of using these drugs in combination are significantly exacerbated when one uses DXM or alcohol at higher doses. Individuals who regularly abuse these drugs should seek professional help.