For decades, cough suppressants containing dextromethorphan (DXM)—the active ingredient in Robitussin—were available to anyone. However, a rise in recreational misuse among adolescents led to a wave of state-level legislation.
: As of recent years, over 20 states (including California, New York, Florida, and Washington) have passed laws prohibiting the sale of DXM-containing products to anyone under 18 without a prescription. do you have to be 18 to buy robitussin
: Even in states without specific laws, major pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens often implement their own nationwide policies requiring purchasers to be 18 or older to discourage misuse. : Even in states without specific laws, major
: In these states, retailers must verify the buyer's age using a government-issued ID if they appear to be under 25. While there is no federal ban on sales
In most parts of the United States, you must be at least to purchase Robitussin and similar over-the-counter (OTC) cough medicines. While there is no federal ban on sales to minors, many states have enacted individual laws to restrict access to these products due to their potential for abuse. The Evolution of Cough Medicine Regulation