DXM
Legal Status
U.S. FEDERAL LAW #
Caution : All legal information should be verified through other sources. [see below]
U.S. FEDERAL LEGAL SUMMARY | |
DXM | |
REGULATED | Yes |
STATUS | Over-The-Counter Drug |
SCHEDULE | Un-Scheduled |
A bill to restrict bulk sales of Dextromethorphan has been introduced in the US House of Representatives. See HR 5280 : Dextromethorphan Distribution Act of 2006 and Larsen Introduces Bill to Address DXM Abuse.
Dextromethorphan is unscheduled in the United States. It is sold over-the-counter as an approved drug and is legal to buy, possess, and ingest without a license or prescription. Sales for human consumption are regulated by the FDA and each formulation or product requires specific FDA approval.
Two men were convicted on Jan 11, 2006 in Indiana of selling DXM over the internet after 5 people died taking their product. See IndyStar.com's coverage: "Drug shipped from Indy killed 5 : 2 local men to plead guilty to drug charges linked to Internet sales".
Dextromethorphan is unscheduled in the United States. It is sold over-the-counter as an approved drug and is legal to buy, possess, and ingest without a license or prescription. Sales for human consumption are regulated by the FDA and each formulation or product requires specific FDA approval.
Two men were convicted on Jan 11, 2006 in Indiana of selling DXM over the internet after 5 people died taking their product. See IndyStar.com's coverage: "Drug shipped from Indy killed 5 : 2 local men to plead guilty to drug charges linked to Internet sales".
U.S. STATE LAW #
DXM is increasingly difficult to purchase around the U.S. Some pharmacies and mega-stores like WalMart have instituted voluntary procedures to reduce the sale of DXM-containing products to minors. Some states have passed laws further regulating DXM-containing products, but it is still unscheduled (legal to purchase and possess without a prescription) in every state as far as we know.
We've received reports from several states around the U.S. that WalMart no longer sells DXM products to people under 18 and often asks for ID from those who wish to purchase it. Some areas are now restricting the maximum number of units (boxes, bottles) of DXM-containing product they will sell to one person.
We've received reports from several states around the U.S. that WalMart no longer sells DXM products to people under 18 and often asks for ID from those who wish to purchase it. Some areas are now restricting the maximum number of units (boxes, bottles) of DXM-containing product they will sell to one person.
Arkansas #
"In Arkansas, purchasers of any product containing Dextromethorphan Hydrobromide (DXM) must be 18 years of age or older and present a photo ID." Unconfirmed, thanks NR.
Florida #
BP reports that stores in central Florida are now restricting the number of DXM-containing product units sold to a single person and not selling DXM-containing products to "kids who like they're getting high". Dec 2005, Unconfirmed, thanks BP.
Georgia #
DC reports that WalMart no longer sells Robitussin products to those under 18 but that other stores still sell the products.. Nov 2005, (Unconfirmed, thanks DC)
Illinois #
Pure DXM now banned for sale in Illinois. DXM-containing approved pharmaceutical products still legal and widely available. Law signed into effect May, 2006. See Chicago Tribune. (Confirmed, Thanks FE)
Iowa #
RBD reports that stores are currently requiring ID and that purchasers of DXM-containing products be 18 or older.
Michigan #
In Jan 2006, M reported "I tried to go to WalMart and Target to buy Robitussin, and both asked for They no longer sell DXM or Pseudophedrine products to minors under the age of 18."
New York #
It is unlawful to "give, sell or cause to be given or sold 2 or more containers of medicine containing dextromethorphan to any person under the age of 18."
(http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=S06244)
North Carolina #
DXM-containing products sold over the counter normally in most stores, large national chains may ask for ID. (Unconfirmed, thanks to Brannon)
Ohio #
DXM-containing products are available in store aisles but that large stores (Wal-Mart, Walgreens, Rite-Aid, etc) now require ID and that purchasers be 18 years old. (Thanks morpheus)
Pennsylvania #
One visitor writes that DXM-containing products are available in store aisles but that large stores (Wal-Mart, Walgreens, Rite-Aid, etc) now require ID and that purchasers be 18 years old. (Thanks y)
If you have information about the legal status of this substance in any other U.S. state, please let us know.
INTERNATIONAL LAW #
Australia #
DXM is legal as an over the counter cough suppressant, but import restrictions on DXM-only products may exist. [unverified; thanks Oli]
Canada #
DXM-containing products sold over the counter in Canada.
Hong Kong #
We have heard that DXM is not available over-the-counter in Hong Kong, but instead requires a prescription.
Czech Republic #
Received word that some pharmacies require prescription for tabletted DXM, but not for liquid preparations (HUMEX and Robitussin available brands).
Denmark #
DXM is available over the counter in pill and liquid form. Liquid 1-3 mg / ml and tablets 15-30mg per tablet.
Germany #
DXM available without a prescription in pharmacies in both syrup and pills. Rathiopharm-Hustenstiller capsules for example, contains 30mg per capsule.
Finland #
We have been told that DXM containing cough syrups are sold over-the-counter in Finland, but generally contain sorbitol which acts as a laxative and can cause diarrhea at high doses. Some DXM containing products are legal to possess and can be purchased over-the-counter, but require a permit to sell. Other DXM containing products require a prescription for purchase, perhaps based on the quantity per dosage unit.
France #
Available behind the counter at the pharmacy without a prescription.
Greece #
One visitor reported that DXM is only available by prescription in Greece, but we have no confirmation of that.
Israel #
Available in popular over the counter cough medicines
Japan #
DXM is legal in Japan. As of Aug 1999 we have reports of it being sold in headshops for 5000 to 6000 yen for 2 doses.
Netherlands #
Dinantriks writes: "In the Netherlands, DXM is sold over the counter as an cough remedy. It is sold under the name 'Daro Retard Hoestprikkeldempende Capsules' and a package contains 10 capsules of 29.5 grams DXM each. Prices range from 5 to
6 euro's per package. The people behind the counter will not ask for ID or prescription." (Unconfirmed, thanks D)
Poland #
DXM available over the counter in Poland. Available in tablets/gelcaps/syrups forms. Tablets are 5-30mg, syrups 1-3mg/ml. A few medicines were moved from 'prescription category' to OTC ('Acodin' tablets). Prices in fall of 2003 were approximately Tussidex (15x30mg gelcaps) - ~2USD, Acodin (30x15mg pills) - ~2USD, Tussal (10x15mg pills) - ~1.8 USD. Thanks to NephrE.
Romania #
Pure DXM Prescription-only, liquid forms available Over The Counter (OTC). Sold as "Tussin" and "Tussin Forte" in both pills and syrup. Tussin pills 10mg DXM and Tussin Forte 20mg DXM per pill. Tussin Forte costs about 2 USD per 20 tablets (2003, thanks tadb).
Sweden #
Pure DXM sold by internet stores in Sweden. DXM-containing products available OTC. - LM
Thailand #
DXM is available behind the counter at the pharmacist. Prescription is obtained from the pharmacist. (Thanks RHCN, CH)
If you have information about the legal status of this substance in any other country, please let us know.
CAUTION & DISCLAIMER #
Erowid legal information is a summary of data gathered from site visitors, government documents, websites, and other resources. We are not lawyers and can not guarantee the accuracy of the information provided here. We do our best to keep this information correct and up-to-date, but laws are complex and constantly changing. Laws may also vary from one jurisdiction to another (county, state, country, etc)...this list is not comprehensive.