DXM probably not going anywhere

I know many of you were DEEPLY CONCERNED that you might lose OTC access to cough syrup, but allow me to assuage your fears:

Cough and cold medicines that contain dextromethorphan should remain available without prescription, a Food and Drug Administration advisory committee recommended Tuesday.

Dextromethorphan or DXM is found in many over-the-counter cough suppressant products, such as NyQuil, Robitussin and Tylenol Cold Tablets. When taken in large doses and when mixed with other drugs it can create a state of euphoria.

The Drug Enforcement Administration asked the FDA, back in 2007, to look at how the government could curb abuse of DXM, because a growing number of teenagers were using it to get high. In rare cases, death did occur.

The FDA advisory panel recognized that abuse was a concern in adolescents, but decided that dextromethorphan did not pose enough of a threat to the general public health. It voted 15 to 9 against having DXM fall under the Controlled Substance Act, which would have allowed states to consider it for prescription-only status.

OMFGWHEW!!

[Thanks, Luke!]