Dextromethorphan, a cough medicine ingredient known colloquially as DXM*, is landing an increasing number of California youths in hospitals, according to a report from the state's poison-control center.

Reuters reported Dec. 4 that calls to the California poison center regarding DXM rose about 50 percent annually between 1999 and 2004; misuse of the drug, found in cough medicines like Robutussin and Vicks 44, can cause hallucinations, rapid heartbeat, high blood pressure, and other problems.

Researchers found that adverse reactions among DXM users ages 9-17 accounted for most of the calls. They suggested that misuse of dextromethorphan-based drugs could be limited by placing them behind pharmacy counters rather than allowing youths to purchase the drugs off store shelves.

The research appears in the Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine.

* Correction, December 11, 2006:
As originally published on December 6, this research summary misspelled the colloquial term for dextromethorphan as "DMX". The correct term is "DXM".