Abuse Prevention & Education
Back-to-School Conversations That Matter: Talking to Your Teen About OTC Medicine Misuse and Online Challenges
The start of a new school year brings fresh schedules, new friendships, and more independence for many teens. It’s also a natural time to check in about the choices they’ll face both at school and online.
While parents often talk with their teens about grades, activities, and staying safe while driving, conversations about medicine safety deserve a place on that list, too.
One topic worth bringing up is the misuse of common over-the-counter (OTC) medicines. These include medicines containing dextromethorphan (DXM), a cough suppressant found in many OTC cough medicines, as well as diphenhydramine, an antihistamine found in some allergy and sleep medicines. When used as directed, these medicines are safe and effective but taking more than the intended dose can cause serious health effects and, in some cases, can be life-threatening.
The good news? You don’t need to have one big, serious talk. Small, honest conversations over time can help your teen make safer choices and know they can come to you with questions.
Start the conversation before they need it
Today’s teens encounter a constant stream of online trends, dares, and misinformation that can spread widely and quickly. Social media can make medicine misuse and other risky behaviors seem funny, harmless, attention-grabbing, or a way to fit in.
Challenges such as the “Sleepy Chicken Challenge” and the “Benadryl Challenge” have encouraged young people to misuse OTC medicines, leading to serious injuries and even death. These examples reinforce why parents should be aware of the types of content their teens may encounter online.
A simple conversation today can make a difference when it matters most.
Ages 11–13: Build trust early
Middle school is often when your child begins spending more time with friends, using social media, and making more decisions on their own. This is a great time to establish family expectations around medicine safety.
Try talking about:
- Why medicines should only be taken as directed and for their intended purpose.
- Why it’s never safe to take medicine to see what it feels like or because someone else suggests it.
- How online videos don’t always show the real-life consequences of risky behavior.
You might ask:
- “Have you ever seen videos of people doing dangerous dares online?”
- “What would you do if a friend challenged you to try something that didn’t feel right?”
Keep the conversation positive. The goal is to help your child feel confident saying no to unsafe choices and comfortable coming to you with questions.
Ages 14–16: Talk about peer pressure and online influence
As teens gain more independence, they may encounter greater pressure to fit in, both in person and online. This is a good time to discuss how social media can make risky behavior seem more common or accepted than it really is.
It can also help to remind your teen that a medicine being sold over the counter doesn’t mean it’s safe to take in any amount. Products used for everyday concerns like coughs, allergies, or sleep can still cause serious harm when they are intentionally misused.
Talk with your teen about:
- Thinking critically before participating in online trends or challenges.
- The difference between getting attention online and making safe decisions.
- How to respond if friends encourage them to misuse medicine or participate in risky behavior.
- Why videos showing people taking large amounts of cough, allergy, or sleep medicine may not show what happened afterward.
- Checking the Drug Facts label and paying attention to a medicine’s active ingredients.
You might say:
“Not everything that gets likes is worth trying. If something involves taking medicine in a way it wasn’t meant to be used, it’s not worth the risk.”
Encourage your teen to pause before acting and ask themselves:
- Is this safe?
- Would I do this if my parent or guardian were watching?
- What could happen if this goes wrong?
Helping teens think through situations before they happen can make it easier for them to make safe decisions in the moment.
Ages 17–19: Support independence with open communication
Older teens may be preparing for college, work, or living more independently. While they’re making more decisions on their own, they still benefit from knowing they have your support.
Continue talking about:
- Reading and following medicine labels.
- Using only medicines intended for them.
- Looking out for friends who may be making unsafe choices.
- Calling a trusted adult if they ever find themselves in an uncomfortable or dangerous situation.
Rather than lecturing, ask open-ended questions about situations they might encounter and how they would handle them. These conversations reinforce that making safe decisions is part of becoming an independent adult.
Related Resources
Help prevent misuse at home
Parents can take a few simple steps to reduce opportunities for medicine misuse:
- Know what medicines you have at home — including cough, cold, allergy, and sleep medicines — and store them in a secure location.
- Read and follow medicine labels and encourage your teen to do the same.
- Avoid referring to medicine as a quick fix for every problem.
- Properly dispose of expired or unused medicines.
- Check in regularly with your teen about school, friendships, and what’s happening online.
These everyday habits reinforce that OTC medicines are meant to help when used as directed, not something to experiment with, share with friends, or misuse.
Keep the conversation going
No single conversation will prepare your teen for every situation they’ll face. The most effective approach is creating an environment where talking about difficult topics feels normal.
Your teen doesn’t need you to have all the answers. They need to know you’re someone they can trust, whether they’re asking about something they saw online, feeling pressure from friends, or simply looking for advice.
Looking for more ways to talk with your teen about medicine safety? Explore the resources available from Stop Medicine Abuse for practical conversation tips, prevention guidance, and information to help families keep teens safe.
