Dextromethorphan: A double-edged drug – Unveiling the pernicious repercussions of Abuse and forensic implications

Drug Abuse is a global menace. This problem becomes grave concern when pharmaceutical preparations are abused. Dextromethorphan (DXM) is one such drug which is an antitussive agent which is reported to be used for illicit purposes. DXM (C18H25NO) belongs to class of dissociative hallucinogens that a...

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Main Authors: Lovlish Gupta, Neha Tomar, Rajendra Kumar Sarin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2024-12-01
Series:Emerging Trends in Drugs, Addictions, and Health
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667118224000205
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author Lovlish Gupta
Neha Tomar
Rajendra Kumar Sarin
author_facet Lovlish Gupta
Neha Tomar
Rajendra Kumar Sarin
author_sort Lovlish Gupta
collection DOAJ
description Drug Abuse is a global menace. This problem becomes grave concern when pharmaceutical preparations are abused. Dextromethorphan (DXM) is one such drug which is an antitussive agent which is reported to be used for illicit purposes. DXM (C18H25NO) belongs to class of dissociative hallucinogens that are known to manifest detachment in sight and sound perceptions. Researchers in forensic lab in India have reported the presence of DXM in substantial amount in heroine samples as bulking agent/ additives. The drug not only adds to the bulk but also intensify the effects of heroin by synergism. Hence, it becomes mandatory that extensive studies should be carried out on every additive/ Bulking agent that is present in the seized samples so as to identify and address the abuse and trade of such compounds. The present paper aims to comprehensively study and present the Chemical Properties of the DXM and its metabolites, their pharmacological and pharmacokinetics action on Human body and other related aspects. The Compound annual growth rate, market trends, abuse trends, side effects and Forensic analysis of the Samples have been methodically presented.
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spelling doaj-art-c055897e6e594852be0aa46d83b25cd72025-08-20T01:56:34ZengElsevierEmerging Trends in Drugs, Addictions, and Health2667-11822024-12-01410016110.1016/j.etdah.2024.100161Dextromethorphan: A double-edged drug – Unveiling the pernicious repercussions of Abuse and forensic implicationsLovlish Gupta0Neha Tomar1Rajendra Kumar Sarin2Student, School of Forensic Sciences, National Forensic Sciences University, Delhi 110085, IndiaAssistant Professor, School of Forensic Sciences, National Forensic Sciences University, Delhi, 110085, India; Corresponding author.Professor, National Forensic Sciences University, Delhi 110085, IndiaDrug Abuse is a global menace. This problem becomes grave concern when pharmaceutical preparations are abused. Dextromethorphan (DXM) is one such drug which is an antitussive agent which is reported to be used for illicit purposes. DXM (C18H25NO) belongs to class of dissociative hallucinogens that are known to manifest detachment in sight and sound perceptions. Researchers in forensic lab in India have reported the presence of DXM in substantial amount in heroine samples as bulking agent/ additives. The drug not only adds to the bulk but also intensify the effects of heroin by synergism. Hence, it becomes mandatory that extensive studies should be carried out on every additive/ Bulking agent that is present in the seized samples so as to identify and address the abuse and trade of such compounds. The present paper aims to comprehensively study and present the Chemical Properties of the DXM and its metabolites, their pharmacological and pharmacokinetics action on Human body and other related aspects. The Compound annual growth rate, market trends, abuse trends, side effects and Forensic analysis of the Samples have been methodically presented.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667118224000205DextromethorphanCough suppressantsAntitussive drugsDrug abuseAdulterationForensic analysis
spellingShingle Lovlish Gupta
Neha Tomar
Rajendra Kumar Sarin
Dextromethorphan: A double-edged drug – Unveiling the pernicious repercussions of Abuse and forensic implications
Emerging Trends in Drugs, Addictions, and Health
Dextromethorphan
Cough suppressants
Antitussive drugs
Drug abuse
Adulteration
Forensic analysis
title Dextromethorphan: A double-edged drug – Unveiling the pernicious repercussions of Abuse and forensic implications
title_full Dextromethorphan: A double-edged drug – Unveiling the pernicious repercussions of Abuse and forensic implications
title_fullStr Dextromethorphan: A double-edged drug – Unveiling the pernicious repercussions of Abuse and forensic implications
title_full_unstemmed Dextromethorphan: A double-edged drug – Unveiling the pernicious repercussions of Abuse and forensic implications
title_short Dextromethorphan: A double-edged drug – Unveiling the pernicious repercussions of Abuse and forensic implications
title_sort dextromethorphan a double edged drug unveiling the pernicious repercussions of abuse and forensic implications
topic Dextromethorphan
Cough suppressants
Antitussive drugs
Drug abuse
Adulteration
Forensic analysis
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667118224000205
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AT rajendrakumarsarin dextromethorphanadoubleedgeddrugunveilingtheperniciousrepercussionsofabuseandforensicimplications