Prevalence Remains Low for Self-Reported Misuse of OTC Cough/Cold Medication by Teens

Washington, D.C. - The annual Monitoring the Futuresurvey (MTF), conducted by the Institute for Social Research at the University of Michigan, and funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), shows in 2025 that self-reported nonmedical use (i.e. abuse and intentional misuse) of over-the-counter (OTC) cough/cold medication by teens remains low.

Begun in 1975, Monitoring the Future (MTF) is an online survey completed each year by 25,000 students in 8th, 10th, and 12th grades at public and private schools in the United States. MTF provides the most current assessment of self-reported teen substance use. Survey questions about OTC cough/cold medicines were added to the survey in 2006.

The 2025 survey results show that prevalence rates for nonmedical use of OTC cough/cold medications remain low for all teen groups surveyed. Rates changed slightly for all age groups, although not with any statistical significance. Prevalence rates for OTC cough/cold medicine misuse for 2025 are:

• 4.2% of 8th graders (4.4% in 2024); lower than the 4.6% high in 2020;
• 5.1% of 10th graders (4.0% in 2024) lower than the 6% high in 2009;
• 3.1% of 12th graders (2.8% in 2024); lower than the 6.9% high in 2006.

Researchers noted that grades have tended to reverse the order of their prevalence levels in recent years, with higher prevalence among 8th and 10th graders and lower for 12th graders. Researchers also noted that the only other category showing the same pattern is inhalants, which are also often easily accessible items in homes.

The Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA) works alongside manufacturers, retailers, lawmakers, and educational partners including Partnership to End Addiction and the CADCA, to help prevent teen misuse and abuse of OTC cough and cold medicines that contain the ingredient dextromethorphan (DXM).

Over the past 16 years, CHPA's "Stop Medicine Abuse" campaign has educated parents about OTC cough medicine misuse, abuse, and prevention; informed and warned at-risk teens; and, advocated for age-restriction laws to prevent sales of DXM to minors. These laws are now effective in 21 states. In addition, OTC manufacturers have voluntarily added package labeling on cough medicines containing DXM ("PARENTS: Learn About Teen Medicine Abuse"), directing parents to www.StopMedicineAbuse.org, with information and resources to inform and empower parents.

The Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA), founded in 1881, is the national trade association representing the leading manufacturers and marketers of consumer healthcare products, including over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, dietary supplements, and OTC medical devices. CHPA is committed to empowering self-care by ensuring that Americans have access to products they can count on to be reliable, affordable, and convenient, while also delivering new and better ways to get and stay healthy. Visit www.chpa.org.