DXM

Medical abbreviation · Drug

DXM
Stands forDextromethorphan
CategoriesMedical

DXM stands for Dextromethorphan, a drug abbreviation.

Cough suppressant found in many over-the-counter cold medicines, such as Robitussin DM and Delsym. At high doses it acts as an NMDA receptor antagonist and is misused for dissociative effects.

Example: Teen with tachycardia and hallucinations after 40 DXM gel caps.

Usage notes

Recreational misuse is called "robotripping" or "skittling". Combining dextromethorphan with MAO inhibitors or other serotonergic drugs can cause serotonin syndrome. It is also a prescription ingredient: with quinidine in Nuedexta for pseudobulbar affect, and with bupropion in Auvelity, approved in 2022 for depression.

More drug abbreviations

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  • DPH – Diphenhydramine
  • DPT – Demerol-Phenergan-Thorazine
  • DRV – Darunavir
  • DSS – Dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate (docusate sodium)
  • DTG – Dolutegravir
  • EE – Ethinyl estradiol
  • EFV – Efavirenz
  • EMB – Ethambutol
  • EMLA – Eutectic mixture of local anesthetics
  • Epi – Epinephrine
  • EPO – Erythropoietin (epoetin alfa)

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Edited by the AbbreviationList.com team. Spotted an error or a missing meaning? Contact us.

This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.