What Is Triple C?
Triple C is a slang term for a brand of over-the-counter cough medicine called Coricidin HBP Cough & Cold. This brand uses a medication called dextromethorphan, which can cause hallucinations if taken in high doses.
This type of medicine is usually in the form of a small red pill that comes in a few varieties designed for: chest pain & congestion, cold & cough, or the flu. Triple C is typically swallowed but can also be snorted or injected. The pill is usually available over-the-counter at drug stores, and some powdered forms exist.
Triple C is usually safe when taken every 6 hours; but because of its effects, it is sometimes taken recreationally and in higher doses than recommended.
What Triple C Can Do
People commonly misuse Triple C in pursuit of euphoria and hallucinogenic effects that produce a type of high coined as “robotripping,” which may be similar to what people experience when they use PCP. When someone is robotripping and having hallucinations from this medicine, their body might be experiencing:
- Vision changes
- Stomach issues and pain
- Loss of muscle control
- Irregular heartbeat
- Increased body temperature
- Nausea
- Brain damage
Since these symptoms can be highly dangerous, especially for someone who is not in their correct state of mind, it’s important to know the signs that someone might be using or “robotripping:”
- Sweatiness
- Slurred speech
- Vomiting
- Rapid eye movement
- Dizziness or loss of balance
- Drowsiness
- Paranoia
The high from Triple C can last up to 6 hours & can impact a person’s vision and thought processes. Since a person is not seeing or thinking clearly while under the influence of the drug, they’re at risk of harming themselves or others.
Abusing Triple C
- DMX or dex (short for the full medication name, dextromethorphan
- Candy (because of their candy-like appearance)
- Skittles
- Red devils
- Its low cost compared to illicit drugs
- Accessibility — either on the shelf and easy to steal or affordable to purchase