JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Ambulances rushed to an East Arlington school on Wednesday after several students became sick after ingesting some cold medicine.

The seven students, five boys and two girls, ages 13 and 14, were taken to Shands-Jacksonville and Baptist medical centers for treatment after reporting ill effects from having taken the over-the-counter cold medicine Coricidin D, which contains dextromethorphan -- also known as DMX.

Street slang for taking these drugs is "dexing," or "robo-tripping," and it can be dangerous.

A security worker at the school said she noticed something wasn't right with one of the students at the middle school, noting he was off balance and dizzy.

Later, officials found out the students wasn't the only one who overdosed on an over-the-counter drug -- six other students also took the pills.

Officials said some of the teens became dizzy and vomited before being rushed to an area hospital.

"They didn't know the consequences of what they were doing to themselves. I think they thought they were just going to get a few thrills out of it, and everybody got ill," said school resource officer Karen Goodin.

According to experts, Coricidin D comes in several different forms that could have had a similar effect on students.

"It does have properties get you high, feel kind of woozy and have a euphoria effect. A lot of people like that feeling and sometimes will go for the products that have that type of medication in it," said Cecia King of the Duval County Health Department.

Experts said the pills also have acetaminophen in them, which could cause liver damage if too much is taken.

Police said they know what the students took but that they don't know how it was obtained.

Goodin said the source of the drug remains under investigation but said she thinks a student may have shoplifted the medication.

Officials said two of the boys involved brought the pharmaceuticals to school.

She said she is also working to determine if giving out the drug at school is a crime.

"I'm checking with state attorney's office to see if children who dispersed it … if there would be any charge," Goodin said.

Parents, teachers and police said they were alarmed by the event and concerned by the damage the 13- and 14-year-old students could have done to themselves.

"I'm really surprised that it would cause such a problem for them or that they would even do that," said a parent of children who attend the school.

School officials sent home a letter, asking parents to talk with their children about drug use, including the use of over-the-counter medicines.

The students who became ill are expected to be OK.

Officials said all seven of students involved would face disciplinary actions by the school.