Common ingredient in cough syrup up for restriction

By Yvonne Gonzalez

Wednesday, March 15, 2017 | 2 a.m.

A Nevada lawmaker wants minors barred from buying medicine that contains a common ingredient in cough syrup, dextromethorphan.

Bill sponsor Sen. Patricia Farley, I-Las Vegas, said during a Wednesday hearing of the Health and Human Services Committee that this substance can cause a high and numerous side effects when used in excess.

Dextromethorphan is an active ingredient in Children’s Dimetapp, DayQuil and many other over-the-counter drugs.

Farley said Senate Bill 159 adds another layer of deterrence between minors and drugs that can be abused.

Medicine containing dextromethorphan would still be available over the counter, whereas state law requires that so-called precursors to methamphetamine are placed behind the counter.

Current law also limits and tracks purchase quantities of these precursors, including ephedrine, pseudoephedrine and phenylpropanolamine. SB159 does not require tracking for purchases of dextromethorphan products.

Minors would need a prescription in order to make these purchases if the bill is approved. Any adult who appears to be under the age of 25 is required to present identification under the bill.

Arizona and California are among a dozen states with laws that restrict minors from buying items containing the ingredient. Farley said these laws have been effective in decreasing abuse over the years.

One of the amendments to the bill would prevent unintentional liability for caretakers who properly dispense medicine containing dextromethorphan to minors.

No action was taken during the hearing.