Cold & Flu Treatment Over the Counter Overdosing on Cold and Flu Medications Intentional and Unintentional By Kristina Duda, RN facebook twitter linkedin Kristina Duda, BSN, RN, CPN, has been working in healthcare since 2002. She specializes in pediatrics and disease and infection prevention. Learn about our editorial process Kristina Duda, RN Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Sanja Jelic, MD on November 08, 2019 Sanja Jelic, MD, is board-certified in sleep medicine, critical care medicine, pulmonary disease, and internal medicine. Learn about our Medical Review Board Sanja Jelic, MD Updated on March 30, 2020 Print Over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold medicines are widely available, low-cost, and, in many cases, highly effective in providing relief from upper respiratory infection and flu symptoms. While these are all notable pluses and self-treating such an illness is not unreasonable, these medications—like others—carry a risk of overdosing. This is a serious situation for adults and an even more worrisome one for children. The overdosing of OTC cold and flu remedies is often accidental—due to, for example, misreading product labels or self-determining dosing—but is nevertheless dangerous. These medications area also intentionally abused by some. In fact, this is a growing concern among public health officials who report an increase in the recreational use of these products. How to Choose the Right Cold Medicine SB / Getty Images How an Accidental Overdose Happens Overdosing on OTC cold and flu medications can happen when someone ignores dosing recommendations and takes whatever dose they deem necessary, or larger or more frequent doses in an effort to overcome illness faster. In addition, it can also occur from simple human error: misreading a product label or not measuring out a dose correctly. Using these these medications with alcohol can also lead to overdosing. But it most often occurs when someone takes several different OTC cold and flu remedies without realizing they contain some of the same ingredients. For example, if you were to take a multi-symptom medication like NyQuil along with Tylenol (or Tylenol Extra Strength) for fever and pain, you could easily overdose on acetaminophen contained in both products. Taking too much acetaminophen can potentially cause liver damage, the risk of which is increased if alcohol is consumed. According to research published in the Journal of Clinical and Translational Hepatology, acetaminophen overdose today accounts for more than 50% of acute liver failures and around 20% of liver transplants in the United States. This is only one such example. The overconsumption of other drugs found in cold and flu remedies, such as dextromethorphan, pseudoephedrine, and antihistamines, also pose health risks. By reading the product labels, avoiding the co-administration of remedies with the same ingredients, and limiting yourself to the recommended dose, you can greatly reduce the risk of accidental overdose. Ultimately, the safest way to manage OTC treatment is to take single-ingredient medications only. Cold/Flu Medicines and Kids A 2015 report in the journal Pediatrics in Review concluded that OTC preparations are no more effective in treating cough and cold symptoms compared to placebo and that the products have yet to be proven to be safe and effective in young children.Moreover, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises against the use of these medications in children under 2 and asserts that most children will recover from cold and flu on their own without the need for medicine.In other words, a potential risk of overdose in young people is not worth the potential benefit you seek unless otherwise directed by a doctor. How Cold and Flu Are Treated Signs of Accidental Overdose Though you may never anticipate a cold and flu medication overdose, they can easily happen. It's important to recognize the signs of overdose should one occur. Symptoms of a potential overdose of OTC cold and flu medication include: Excessive tiredness or lethargyExtreme dizziness or drowsinessSudden anxiety or jitterinessConfusionAbdominal painLabored or shallow breathingLoss of appetiteNausea or vomitingRapid heart rateBlurred visionDilated pupilsDark-colored urineUnresponsivenessness Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 and seek emergency care if you think you've given yourself or your child too much cold and flu medication. How to Treat Cold and Flu in Children Medication Abuse In the past, codeine and alcohol contained in many OTC cough syrups were abused by some for the euphoric and calming effects they could deliver. In response to public health warnings, alcohol has now been removed from most OTC remedies, while codeine has been reclassified as a Schedule II controlled substance when used in products containing more than 90 milligrams (mg) per dosage unit. OTC products containing less than 90 mg of codeine, like Tylenol 3, are now Schedule III controlled substances. With the removal of these products from market shelves, some younger people have turned to OTC cold, cough, and flu remedies containing dextromethorphan (DMX), an opiod, for a cheap and easy high. These products are readily available throughout the United States in syrup, tablet, and powder form. The abuse of DMX is most common among 8th to 12th graders. When swallowed or snorted in excess, DMX can cause hallucinogenic effects similar to the anesthetic drug ketamine or the street drug phencyclidine (also known as PCP or "angel dust.") Depending on how much is taken, the effects can last for as long as six hours or even more; some youth have been known to drink several bottles of cough syrup at a time. The overuse of DMX is associated with an array of side effects, including: A feeling of floatingConfusion and disorientationImpaired judgmentBlurred visionLoss of coordinationSlurred speechDizzinessExcessive sweatingHyperactivityHallucinationsRapid or pounding heartbeatsA drop in body temperatureHot flashesDiarrheaAbdominal painNausea and vomitingUnconsciousness An overdose of DMX can lead to more serious symptoms, including seizures, cerebral hemorrhage (bleeding in the brain), permanent brain damage, and even death. The regular abuse of DXM at high doses can also cause a condition known as chemical psychosis in which a person loses touch with reality. Referred to by some as "poor man's psychosis," the DMX-induced disorder (characterized by paranoia, delusions, hallucinations, and disassociation) has been known to lead to impulsive and even violent acts, including assault and self-harm. How to Recognize Psychosis in Teens Signs of Cold/Flu Medication Abuse Since DMX abuse is largely hidden, it is important to recognize the signs of overdose in not only adolescents and teens but some adults as well. If you suspect that someone has overdosed on DMX, call 911 if there are any of the following symptoms: Extreme disorientation or drowsinessBlueish lips, fingernails, or skinVomitingSeizuresVery slow or very rapid heartbeatsSlow, shallow, or labored breathingUnconsciousnessNo breathing Until help arrives, call Poison Control 1-800-222-1222 for instructions on what to do. A Word From Verywell To prevent abuse in your family, educate your kids about the dangers of DMX, monitor their activities, keep track of all cold and flu medications in the home, and avoid stockpiling medications containing DMX. And if you're self-treating a cold, be sure to carefully read and follow product instructions and only treat the symptoms you have. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Looking to avoid getting the flu? Our free guide has everything you need to stay healthy this season. Sign up and get yours today. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. 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