Interventional Study of Dextromethorphan Abuse Within the U.S. Military Community in Okinawa, Japan
Cody Armstrong, Michelle R Kapolowicz
Military Medicine August 14, 2020 DOI: 10.1093/milmed/usaa049 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Commentary Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | U.S. military community residing in Okinawa, Japan, compared with U.S. military communities elsewhere in the Pacific region |
| Key points | The authors argue that dextromethorphan overuse and abuse is widespread in Okinawa's U.S. military community, based on higher sales of dextromethorphan-containing medications than in other Pacific military communities and high rates of medical treatment for dextromethorphan intoxication. They report that stricter policies were followed by decreased sales and a substantial drop in hospital visits for intoxication, suggesting the interventions were largely effective and should be maintained. |
Abstract
Abstract: Dextromethorphan, a common over-the-counter cough suppressant, has potential for abuse. In the present commentary, we summarize findings to suggest extensive dextromethorphan overuse/abuse within the U.S. military community residing in Okinawa, Japan. We first compared sales of dextromethorphan-containing medications within the U.S. military community of Okinawa, Japan with sales within the U.S military community from the other nearby locations in the Pacific region. Our report revealed that dextromethorphan use is far more prevalent within the military community in Okinawa. To further substantiate the claim that dextromethorphan abuse is widespread in Okinawa’s U.S. military community, a survey of medical records showed high rates of treatment provided for dextromethorphan intoxication. These findings motivated interventions established throughout the military community in Okinawa to combat dextromethorphan overuse. These stricter policy changes resulted in decreases in sales of dextromethorphan-containing medications as well as a substantial drop in hospital visits from dextromethorphan intoxication, suggesting that the interventions were largely effective and should be maintained.