OTC Drugs Teens Use to Get High

A lot of parents worry about their kids drinking, smoking, or using illegal drugs, but more and more teens are trying drugs that are already in the house. Teenagers are increasingly abusing over-the-counter (OTC) drugs that are meant to treat common illnesses like colds, coughs, and allergies. 

They do this to get a quick and cheap high. Many teens don't realize how dangerous these substances can be when taken in large amounts or used incorrectly because they are legal, easy to obtain, and often perceived as "safe."

For example, dextromethorphan, a cough medicine, can cause hallucinations, dissociation, and euphoria when taken in large amounts. This is sometimes called "robo-tripping." When abused, antihistamines like diphenhydramine can also make users delirious and extremely sleepy [1].  

Your teen doesn't need a dealer or a fake ID to get them; all they need is a trip to the pharmacy or a look through the bathroom cabinet. In this article, we'll talk about the most commonly abused over-the-counter drugs, their health risks, and what parents should look out for at home.

Why Teens Turn to Over-the-Counter Drugs to Get High

One of the main reasons teens try over-the-counter (OTC) drugs is that they are easy to get. Cough medicines, sleep aids, and cold medicines are easy to find in a family medicine cabinet or buy at a local drugstore, grocery, or gas station. 

Surveys show many teens think over-the-counter drugs are safer than street drugs, even when they are used incorrectly. More than half of teens say that prescription and over-the-counter drugs are easier to get than illegal drugs, with millions of teens reporting having tried medications like cough syrup just to get high [2].

National surveys show that around 4.4% of 8th graders, 4% of 10th graders, and 2.8% of 12th graders said they had misused over-the-counter cough or cold medicine in the past year. Younger teens are more likely to misuse substances around the home than older teens, which suggests that experimentation often starts in middle school, when many teens don't have access to illicit drugs [3]. 

Some teens say they take large amounts just to see what happens, while others are influenced by online trends or friends who talk about how some cough and cold medicines can make you feel dissociated or hallucinate.

Common OTC Medications Teens Misuse 

Cough Medications

Many cough and cold medicines contain dextromethorphan (DXM), a cough suppressant that can affect the brain when taken in high doses. Instead of simply calming a cough, large amounts can alter brain signaling in ways similar to dissociative drugs, producing feelings of euphoria, distorted perception, and even hallucinations. 

Allergy Medications

Some teens misuse antihistamine allergy meds such as diphenhydramine. These can cause sleepiness, anger, aggression, or even make teens feel like they are going crazy (hallucinations, paranoia).

Sleeping Pills

Many over-the-counter sleep aids contain antihistamines, such as doxylamine or diphenhydramine, which are also used to treat allergies. Teens might take a lot of it in the hopes of feeling relaxed, numb, or sleepy. When abused, these drugs can make you very sleepy or confused because they slow down activity in parts of the brain that control wakefulness, such as the reticular activating system, which helps regulate alertness and the sleep–wake cycle [4]. 

In high doses, they can also interfere with normal brain signaling, leading to dizziness, memory problems, blurred vision, and even delirium or hallucinations in some cases. But abusing them can also cause memory problems, dizziness, an irregular heartbeat, and, in some cases, dangerous overdose symptoms.

Laxatives 

Laxatives are not typically used to produce a “high,” but some teens misuse them for weight control or as part of disordered eating. Frequent use can disrupt electrolyte balance, which can indirectly affect brain and nerve function, leading to fatigue, confusion, and even heart complications.

Stimulant Cold Medication 

Some cold medicines contain stimulant decongestants such as pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine. These drugs work by stimulating parts of the nervous system that narrow blood vessels and reduce sinus pressure. 

Teens may misuse them, hoping for a burst of energy or alertness, because these medications can increase activity in the brain’s sympathetic nervous system, the system responsible for the body’s “fight-or-flight” response. When taken in high doses, they can overstimulate the brain and body, leading to anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, rapid heart rate, and dangerously high blood pressure.

Pain Relievers and NSAIDS 

People sometimes take more than the recommended amount of common painkillers such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and acetaminophen. These drugs don't give you a traditional "high," but some teens misuse them for experimentation. 

They don't directly affect the pleasure centers in the brain; instead, they block chemicals in the body that cause pain and inflammation. But taking too much can still be very dangerous, potentially causing stomach bleeding, kidney damage, or severe liver damage.

Warning Signs Your Teen May Be Misusing OTC Drugs

It can be hard to spot the signs of teens abusing over-the-counter drugs. Because these drugs are legal and easy to get, people often misuse them without anyone knowing. At first, it may seem like they are just sick or tired. However, parents can spot problems early by paying attention to changes in behavior, physical symptoms, and medication use.

Some common warning signs of OTC drug abuse include:

• Empty bottles and boxes of cough, cold, or sleep medication 
• Medications are missing from the medicine cabinet 
• Dizziness, extreme sleepiness, or fatigue
• Inability to think clearly, slurred speech, poor motor skills 
• Mood swings, irritability, agitation
• Feeling sick, throwing up, or having chronic stomach pain 
• Mood swings, irritability, or aggression that come on suddenly 
• Dilated or pinpoint pupils, bloodshot eyes 
• Buying OTC drugs without a health-related reason, from friends, or online 

The Hidden Health Risks of OTC Drug Abuse

Taking higher than recommended doses can change the chemistry of the brain and put stress on critical organs such as the liver or kidneys.

Possible health risks of abusing over-the-counter drugs include:

• Hallucinations, confusion, disorientation 
• Changes in heart rate or blood pressure 
• Damage to the liver or sudden liver failure 
• Kidney damage or dehydration 
• Stomach bleeding or ulcers 
• Seizures or loss of consciousness 
• An overdose that requires immediate medical attention 

How Parents Can Prevent and Address OTC Drug Misuse

Open communication is the most important thing to do to stop teens from abusing over-the-counter drugs. Parents should make sure their teen understands that "legal" doesn't always mean "safe." 

Teens can make better choices if you set clear rules about how to use medicine safely, talk about the risks, and encourage them to be honest. Some helpful ways to prevent OTC drug abuse include:

• Putting medications in a locked box or keeping them out of easy reach
• Teaching teens about the dangers of abusing over-the-counter drugs
• Talking about drug use and peer pressure with your friends on a regular basis
• Keeping an eye out for signs of abuse, like medications going missing or strange behavior
• Promoting healthy ways to deal with stress or anxiety
• Talk with a doctor or addiction counselor if you think your teen is abusing drugs.

Substance Abuse Counseling for Teens at Lotus Behavioral Health in FL

Lotus Behavioral Health is a residential treatment facility for teens located in Florida. Our programs are designed to support teens and their families with the tools they need to recover from substance abuse and co-occurring mental health disorders. 

We offer a blend of comprehensive recovery services such as individual therapy, group therapy, medication management, and skill-building workshops to help teens recover from OTC drug abuse. Contact our admissions team today to find support for your family. 

Sources 

[1] Schifano, F. et al. (2025). Over-the-counter Psychosis: A Systematic Review of the Misuse of Antihistamines, Cough Medicines, and Decongestants and the Risk of Developing Psychosis. Current neuropharmacology, 23(8), 956–973.

[2] DEA. 2013. How Teens Abuse Medicine. 

[3] CHPA. 2026. Prevalence Remains Low for Self-Reported Misuse of OTC Cough/Cold Medication by Teens. 

[4] Albert, S. M. (2017). Over-the-counter medications containing diphenhydramine and doxylamine used by older adults to improve sleep. International journal of clinical pharmacy, 39(4), 808–817.