Concomitant use of dextromethorphan and alcohol-induced dissociation in a patient with alcohol dependence.
Yasuhito Nagai, Yuko Tajima, Koichi Miyakawa
PCN reports : psychiatry and clinical neurosciences December 1, 2024 DOI: 10.1002/pcn5.70011 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1 |
| Population | A patient with alcohol dependence |
| Intervention | haloperidol |
| Topics | Addiction |
| Keywords | Alcohol dependence Dextromethorphan Over‐the‐counter otc drug |
| Key findings | Concomitant use of DXM and alcohol can cause acute psychotic dissociation that is difficult to distinguish from alcohol withdrawal symptoms. |
Abstract
Dextromethorphan (DXM) is an over-the-counter drug that is commonly abused by teenagers. Its main pharmacological property is a low-affinity N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist. We report acute psychotic dissociation induced by DXM and alcohol in a patient with alcohol dependence, which made it difficult to distinguish alcohol withdrawal symptoms with limited information. The psychotic symptoms were ameliorated by haloperidol; however, in cases of DXM abuse, haloperidol treatment should be avoided. In the consultation of patients with addiction, the possibility of various addictive drugs must be kept in mind. The concomitant use of DXM and alcohol causes easy dissociation and high-dose usage of DXM and alcohol withdrawal symptoms are difficult to distinguish.