The age requirement usually applies to medicines containing these specific ingredients:
In the United States, you typically must be to purchase over-the-counter (OTC) cough medicines containing certain active ingredients. These age restrictions are primarily designed to prevent the misuse and abuse of these products by minors. Restricted Ingredients age to buy cough medicine
: A decongestant used to make methamphetamine. Under federal law, purchasers must be 18, show a valid government ID, and the retailer must log the sale. The age requirement usually applies to medicines containing
While some states have explicit laws, many major retailers voluntarily implement age-restriction policies nationwide. Under federal law, purchasers must be 18, show
: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) limits the use of prescription cough medicines containing these opioids to adults 18 and older due to risks of serious breathing problems and addiction. Retailer and State Requirements
: A common cough suppressant found in brands like Robitussin , Delsym , and DayQuil . At least 20 states, including Michigan, Ohio, and Florida, have passed laws requiring purchasers to be 18 or older to buy DXM-containing products.