AAFES RESTRICTS PURCHASE OF MEDICINES CONTAINING DEXTROMETHORPHAN Published March 27, 2007 By AAFES DALLAS, TX -- Dextromethorphan is a common cough-suppressing ingredient contained in more than 140 over-the-counter cough and cold medicines. When taken as directed and used properly, DXM is safe, but recent media reports and research indicate abuse of DXM is becoming more of an issue than previously thought. While there is not yet a legal requirement to flag products with this ingredient, as of Jan. 24 AAFES is voluntarily limiting sales of products with DXM to customers over the age of 18. A message on the cash register will alert cashiers to verify the age of the person buying products with DXM. Customers can still find cough and cold medicines with DXM in the health and beauty care department of their base or post exchange. The only difference customers will encounter will be at checkout. "AAFES wants to be proactive when it comes to the health of military service members," said AAFES Sales Directorate Senior Vice President Maggie Burgess. "It is our hope that monitoring DXM sales will ensure our military families are not susceptible to abuse."