As the chilly months roll in, so do colds and the flu, leading many families to stock up on over the counter (OTC) medicines. While these remedies are essential for easing symptoms and safe when used according to labeling instructions, parents may not realize the hidden risks they pose for teens curious about experimenting with OTC cough medicine.

Cough medicines containing dextromethorphan (DXM) can be abused by teens for their mind-altering effects when taken in large doses. What starts as innocent curiosity can quickly lead to risky behavior, especially during a time of year when medicine cabinets are more stocked than usual.

Why Teens Are at Risk

Teens may be tempted to misuse OTC cough medicines because of the nature of these medicines being readily accessible in their households. As such, they may even assume it’s safer than prescription medication or illicit substances, even when taken in high doses. Teens may also feel peer pressure from friends or even be motivated out of sheer curiosity. But, when abused or misused, DXM can have serious risks.

Safely Store and Monitor OTC Medicines

Does this mean we should not keep these medicines in our houses? Of course not. It’s just important that we take proactive steps to safely store OTC medicines. Keeping medicines in a secure location, where you can keep an eye on them is a great way to keep a mental inventory of how much medicine is on hand and track usage to ensure it’s only being taken as appropriate.

Holiday Season: A Time to Connect

The holiday season is a natural opportunity to connect with teens about important topics, including medicine safety. During this time of togetherness, you can engage in open, non-judgmental conversations about the risks of OTC medicine misuse and abuse. It’s cold and flu season for them too, so if they reach for some medicine to alleviate any symptoms they feel, use it as a moment to start a dialogue about safe dosing. Again, many teens may not be fully aware of the dangers or might believe that because these medications are available without a prescription, they are safe to misuse.

The holiday season can also be a stressful one for teens who are in the midst of preparing for midterms or finals. The pressures and anxieties from upcoming deadlines and general stressors at school or in their social lives can be enough for teens to seek relief using OTC medicines or other substances. Giving them the encouragement and support they need to relax during school breaks can help them begin to learn how to develop healthy coping mechanisms rather than impulsively reaching for medicine to intentionally misuse.

Staying Safe Together

It’s important to remember that conversations about medicine safety should be ongoing and not just during cold and flu season. Keeping an open line of communication with your teen and setting a positive example can help them make informed decisions when it comes to medicine use. By being proactive, monitoring your household’s OTC medicines, and using the holiday season to deepen connections, you can help protect your teen from the risks of OTC cough medicine abuse—keeping their health, and your peace of mind, intact.