SUBSTANCE ABUSE ALERT # WV002
While the information contained in this news article was current and accurate when we posted it, it may not necessarily represent current WVOEMS policy or procedure. If you have any questions, please contact our office at 304-558-3956.
Posted: Wednesday, September 16, 2015 4:26 PM
TO: West Virginia
FROM: Elizabeth J. Scharman, Pharm.D., DABAT, BCPS, FAACT; Director, West Virginia Poison Center
DATE: September 15, 2015
High School Students Snorting Non-prescription Medications:
Benadryl, Mucinex D
Benadryl is a brand name allergy medicine which contains the medication: diphenhydramine
To snort the medication, the tablet form would need to be crushed or the capsules would need to be opened.
Mucinex is a brand name product line used for wet coughs, dry coughs, colds, and/or sinus congestion
Mucinex contains guaifenesin only - this drug is not toxic
Mucinex D contains guaifenesin + pseudoephedrine (60 mg or 120 mg)
Mucinex DM contains guaifenesin + dextromethorphan (30 mg or 60 mg)
Current Problem
The WV Poison Center has been made aware that 11th and 12th graders in WV have recently admitted to snorting Benadryl and Mucinex D. Some students have been selling these drugs to fellow students. They stated that their goal is a "cocaine-like" effect. Reports have been from a variety of student demographics including some top students.
It is the experience of the WV Poison Center that when non-prescription drugs are involved, not all children buy the product they have heard about (meaning in this case, a student may actually purchase Mucinex or Mucinex DM instead of Mucinex D).
Recommendations
Please report cases to the West Virginia Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222 so that this trend can be monitored.
School employees, parents, and health care providers should be on the look-out for adolescents with any of the following: altered behavior, hallucinations, persistent nasal congestion not explained by an obvious medical cause, bloody noses (without a history of bloody noses), powder under the nostrils, or students with any of these drugs on their person or in lockers/room. The West Virginia Poison Center can be consulted for management recommendations.