It’s not a new drug, and it’s not illegal, but Coricidin HBP is the subject of school officials’ recent warnings to parents.

According to a Feb. 11 announcement from Cedarcrest High School in the Riverview School District, three students had an adverse reaction to the then-unknown drug, after consuming it in a manner different from manufacturer’s directions. Emergency services were called to treat the students, whose symptoms included nausea, dilated pupils, agitation and feeling extremely warm.

Since then, the district has determined students had been experimenting with the cold medicine, sometimes referred to as “Triple C,” and may have been abusing antihistamines, as well. Superintendent Dr. Anthony Smith said the district is also working with the Duvall and Carnation police to get the information about over-the-counter drug abuse out to families.

“We’re sending prevention information out to parents… because these kids are getting this at home,” Smith said in a phone call. “We’re reminding parents keep these things locked up. Just because it’s not prescription doesn’t mean kids won’t be grabbing it and abusing it.”

Smith urges parents, in both the Riverview and Snoqualmie Valley School Districts, to talk to their children about the issue, and to lock up all of their medications, not just the prescription drugs.

The district has also sent parents links to additional information that may be helpful, including “A parent’s guide to the legal drugs kids are abusing” at http://pact360.org/images/uploads/general/Prescription_and_Over_the_Counter_Cough_Medicine_Guide.pdf, and a video on cough medicine abuse, http://www.webmd.com/parenting/teen-abuse-cough-medicine-9/video-teens-abusing-cough-cold-medicine.