Have you ever wondered why you must show I.D. and be over 18 when purchasing certain over-the-counter medications or face drug charges for possessing specific amounts of these medications? The answer is that some OTC medicines have active ingredients with the potential to be misused at high doses or by being made into other harmful substances.
This is a common ingredient in many over-the-counter cold medicines and cough suppressants. However, when misused and taken in large quantities or mixed with other substances such as alcohol, DXM can cause a depressant and sometimes hallucinogenic effect on the brain, similar to PCP and ketamine.
This common nasal decongestant, often found in over-the-counter cold medicines, can make methamphetamine. Due to this, statewide restrictions exist on how old someone must be to purchase the product and how much someone can buy within a specific time.
This anti-diarrheal medicine can be misused in large quantities or combined with other substances. When taken incorrectly like this, it can cause similar effects to opioids such as prescription pain relievers or heroin. Most people do not know that you can overdose on these common OTC medications.
If you or a loved one faces drug charges stemming from OTC medications, you need help from a legal professional who can handle your legal defense while you focus on healing.