Dextromethorphan (DXM) is a morphinan-class dissociative commonly found in over-the-counter cough suppressants. First approved by the FDA in 1957, it acts primarily as a prodrug, with most dissociative effects mediated by its metabolite dextrorphan through NMDA receptor antagonism. Despite its structural similarity to opioids like codeine, dextromethorphan lacks significant mu-opioid receptor activity. Its widespread availability in household cold medicines has made it one of the most accessible dissociatives, contributing to its prevalence as a recreationally misused substance.
Dekstrometorfan molecular structure diagram from the DrugsPRO substance library.
Also known as: Dxm, Robo, Syrup, Robitussin, Dextromethorphan polistirex, DXM Poli, DXM extended‑release, DXM polistirex ER, Dextromethorphan, Dextrométhorphane
Classification
Chemical: Medicine
Chemical: Morphinan
Psychoactive: Dissociative
Tag: Common
Tag: Habit-Forming
Tag: Hallucinogen
Tag: substituted morphinan
Effects
Spontaneous Tactile Sensations
Nausea
Cough Suppression
Creativity Enhancement
Physical Euphoria
Tactile Disconnection
Ego Suppression Loss And Death
Time Distortion
Introspection
Dejavu
Conceptual Thinking
Physical Autonomy
Hallucinations
Environmental Cubism
Environmental Orbism
Scenery Slicing
Internal Hallucination
External Hallucination
Routes of Administration
Oral
Dosage
Heavy: 750+ mg
Light: 75 – 200 mg
Common: 200 – 500 mg
Strong: 500 – 750 mg
Threshold: 75 mg
Duration
Onset: 0.5-2 h
Comeup: 1-2 h
Peak: 3-6 h
Offset: 8-14 h
After Effects: 12-36 h
Total Duration: 8-14 h
Harm Reduction
Check interactions before mixing substances, pay attention to dose spacing and hydration, and treat all dosage guidance as approximate rather than guaranteed safe.
Sources
Substance data is aggregated from the following public harm-reduction and reference sources.
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Dextromethorphan - DrugsPRO stoffveiledning
Dextromethorphan: Dextromethorphan (DXM) is a morphinan-class dissociative commonly found in over-the-counter cough suppressants. First approved by the FDA in 1957, it acts primarily as a prodrug, with most dissociative effects mediated by its metabolite dextrorphan through NMDA receptor antagonism.
