Faced with stress largely stemming from their studies, many Chinese teenagers are excessively using cough medicines. A cause for concern among authorities, this trend, aimed at escaping reality, can nevertheless lead to overdose.
Why misuse these medications?
On August 28, 2026, a BBC article highlighted a phenomenon increasingly visible in China. For several years, a growing number of adolescents have been misusing cough medicines to get high. This involves taking tablets or syrups in large doses. The substance primarily targeted is dextromethorphan (DXM), a cough suppressant that, at high doses, can produce psychotropic, hallucinogenic, and dissociative effects similar to those of ketamine.
Most of these young people misuse these medicines to cope with stress and chronic anxiety, a condition fueled by academic pressure. It should be noted that China’s education system is highly competitive. The national university entrance exam (Gaokao) epitomizes this. Sometimes teenagers spend up to ten hours a day studying for it, often with fear in their hearts.
Another major source of anxiety comes from the family, especially the parent-child relationship. It must be said that the one-child policy, though abolished in 2016, created families in which the sole child bears all the expectations of parental success. Consequently, this psychological burden can lead to social isolation and tensions that are hard to bear.
Stricter restrictions
It should be noted that the vast majority of the medicines consumed are available only by prescription. However, obtaining these products online is much easier. As China Daily revealed in a 2024 article, the government officially classified dextromethorphan as a Schedule II psychotropic substance. This move made access to the molecule considerably harder. DXM had already been subject to a measure in 2021, shifting it from over-the-counter to prescription-only.
“Its inclusion in the national catalog of category II psychotropic medicines means sellers must dispense it in accordance with prescribed dosages and upon presentation of a medical prescription. Prescriptions must be kept for two years, and sales to minors are prohibited, according to the administration. A dedicated register, maintained by designated staff, must be established to record sales.”
However, Chinese authorities have gone even further by implementing a broad structural reform in 2026. From now on, the state closely monitors the distribution, potential downstream use, and the safety of every substance from production to sale. Still, there is little doubt that adolescents will find other pharmaceutical means to relieve themselves despite the restrictions. It should be noted that medicines are fairly cheap in China.
Major risks that can even lead to death
In the long term, abusing this kind of substance carries risks for both mental and physical health. There can be a rapid deterioration of memory, a decline in concentration, and impaired judgment. High doses can also trigger delirium, hallucinations, intense paranoia, and psychotic episodes.
Additionally, the presence of paracetamol in these medicines slowly damages the liver when taken in large amounts, due to acute liver failure. Some users may also experience seizures, severe breathing difficulties, profound tachycardia, and even coma that can be fatal. Moreover, these medications can induce strong physical and psychological addiction among teenagers.
