MILL VALLEY (KRON) — North Bay school officials have issued a warning to families about the rise in over-the counter cough and cold medication abuse after five students were sent to the hospital over the past two weeks.

Three students at Tamalpais High School were hospitalized in the last week after overdosing on Coricidin, also known colloquially as “Triple C” or “Skittles,” Tamalpais High School Principal Julie Synyard said in a letter mailed to parents on Tuesday.

Nearly two weeks ago, two students needed medical attention while attending “school function” at Drake High School, according to Tamalpais Union High School District Senior Director of Student Services Wes Cedros. The students were found to have taken Coricidin.

“Many teens take the drug straight from the medicine cabinet at home, steal it from the store or receive it from another teen. Many retailers recognize Coricidin’s potential for abuse and keep it locked or behind the pharmacy counter, but that is not always the case,” Synyard said.

All five students have since been released from the hospital and are receiving counseling.

According to the Drug Enforcement Agency website, Dextromethorphan (DXM), an active ingredient found in Coricidin and several other popular brands of cough and combination cold medicines, can have dangerous side effects ranging from hallucinations, seizures and death when taken in large quantities.

Illicit use of DXM is referred to on the street as “Robotripping,” “skittling,” or “dexing,” the DEA said.

Some of the many psychoactive effects associated with high-dose DXM include: confusion, inappropriate laughter, agitation, paranoia, and hallucinations. Other sensory changes, including the feeling of floating and changes in hearing and touch. Long-term abuse of DXM is associated with severe psychological dependence. Abusers of DXM describe the following four dose-dependent “plateaus”: Plateau Dose (mg) Behavioral Effects 1st 100-200 Mild stimulation 2nd 200-400 Euphoria and hallucinations 3rd 300-600 Distorted visual perceptions Loss of motor coordination 4th 500-1500 Out-of-body sensations — DEA

Synyard is advising the parents at her campus to talk with their students about the dangers of over-the counter cough and cold medication abuse and is offering support services to students.

“As a school community we all need to be very aware of this issue because an overdose can result in death,” she said.ON THE WEB

Parents can learn more about dextromethorphan abuse and how to prevent it at StopMedicineAbuse.org. Our brochures, etc. are housed on this page: http://stopmedicineabuse.org/tools-to-take-action/parents