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Commonly Abused Prescription and OTC Drugs ( medicineNet.com )
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Prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drug abuse involves
using a drug for a purpose or in a way other than what is recommended
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Drug Abuse
Prescription
and nonprescription (over-the-counter) drug abuse involves using a drug for a
purpose or in a way other than what is prescribed by a doctor, or recommended
on the package. For example, drugs may be taken by people who were not
prescribed the medication, people may take more of the drug than prescribed, or
they may crush pills and inhale them rather than swallowing them as directed.
Some commonly abused prescription drugs include depressants, pain relievers,
and stimulants.
Barbiturates
Depressants,
or "downers," are drugs that slow the central nervous system. One
type of depressant is a barbiturate, commonly prescribed for anxiety or
insomnia. Barbiturates can be addictive, and when mixed with other drugs or
alcohol the effects can be fatal. Types of barbiturates include phenobarbital
(Nembutal), mephobarbital (Mebaral), and secobarbital (Seconal). Slang terms
used for barbiturates includes "barbs," "reds," red
birds," "phennies," "tooies," "yellows," and
"yellow jackets."
Benzodiazepines:
Valium, Xanax
Another
type of depressant is a benzodiazepine. Drugs in this class include
tranquilizers such as diazepam (Valium) and alprazolam (Xanax), often
prescribed for anxiety, sleep disorders, and panic attacks. They are usually
only prescribed short-term for these conditions, and even with short-term use
patients can have withdrawal symptoms when they stop taking the drugs.
Sleep
Medicines
Sedative
medicines to treat sleep disorders such as insomnia are also types of
depressants. Hypnotic sedatives such as zolpidem (Ambien, Ambien CR), zaleplon
(Sonata), and eszopiclone (Lunesta) are classified as nonbenzodiazapines. These
drugs do have a risk for dependence and withdrawal symptoms, though it is
thought to potentially be less than benzodiazepine-type medicines.
Codeine and
Morphine
According
to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the most commonly abused type of
prescription drug is narcotic, or opioid, pain relievers, including codeine and
morphine. These drugs are usually prescribed for moderate to severe pain. Drugs
such as these can be highly addictive, and abuse can lead to fatal overdose.
Injecting these drugs may also lead to higher risk for contracting HIV.
OxyContin,
Percocet
Oxycodone is another type of
opioid pain reliever. It is found in drugs such as OxyContin (which goes by the
street names "oxy," "O.C.," and "oxycotton"),
Percocet and Percodan ("percs"), and Roxicodone ("roxys").
These narcotic analgesics (pain relievers) are often misused by crushing pills
so the time-release coatings are broken and abusers get the full narcotic
effects of the drug. Addiction rates are high and withdrawal symptoms can be
severe.
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Vicodin,
Lortab, Lorcet
Another
opioid is hydrocodone, found in drugs such as Vicodin (street name,
"vike," or "Watson-387"), Lortab, and Lorcet. These drugs
also contain the pain reliever acetaminophen, the main ingredient in Tylenol.
Opioids are abused for their potential to produce feelings of euphoria, but
opioid side effects include drowsiness, nausea or vomiting, constipation, and
slowed breathing.
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Amphetamines
Stimulants are drugs can increase
heart rate and open up breathing, causing users to feel more alert and
energetic. When prescribed and used properly, they can be effective aids in
treatment of narcolepsy, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and
depression that doesn't respond to other treatments. Commonly abused stimulants
include amphetamines such as dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine) and amphetamine and
dextroamphetamine (Adderall, Adderall XR), used to treat ADHD. Side effects can
include tremors, headache, heart palpitations, panic, hallucinations, and
paranoia. Overdosage can be fatalMethylphenidate
Stimulant
drugs such as methylphenidate are commonly used to treat attention deficit
hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Examples of ADHD drugs that are abused include
methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta, Metadate, Methylin). When prescribed for
ADHD, the doses are usually low. However, abusers often take high doses, which
can cause irregular heartbeat, seizures, or even heart failure. Street names
include "MPH," R-ball," "Skippy," "the smart
drug," and "vitamin R."
. Dextromethorphan (DXM)
An
ingredient found in over-the-counter cough and cold medicines, dextromethorphan
(DXM), is usually safe when taken as recommended. However, very large doses can
cause nausea and vomiting, rapid heart rate, confusion, dizziness, and even
hallucinogenic effects similar to PCP. Many parents are unaware their children
could be abusing this common nonprescription medication.
Pseudoephedrine
The
illegal drug methamphetamine ("meth") is made using an ingredient
called pseudoephedrine, commonly found in over-the-counter cold medicines such as
Sudafed. Because of this, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) limits the
amount of pseudoephedrine that can be purchased by individuals. While you do
not need a prescription, the drug usually must be purchased from a pharmacist
and you must present identification to buy it.
Identifying a
Suspicious Pill
Medication
errors can have serious consequences. If you have any pills in your home and
you are unsure what they are, use RxList’s Pill Identification Tool to identify
generic and brand name drugs by pill color, size, shape, and drug imprint.
Match your Pill ID to the pictures and quickly identify your medications. If
you do not find a match, call your doctor or pharmacist.
Abuse of
Prescription Painkillers on the Rise Among High School Athletes: Survey
HealthDay news article on MedicineNet
MONDAY,
August 4, 2014 -- "Abuse of prescription painkillers is on the rise among
high school athletes, and football players are among the worst offenders, a new
study shows..." Read full article on MedicineNet
Drug Abuse:
What to Do
If
you suspect someone you know is abusing drugs, call the Substance Abuse and
Mental Health Services Administration Treatment Routing Referral Service at
800-662-HELP to find a treatment center. Remember, prescription and
over-the-counter drugs can be abused just like street drugs.
Parents,
if you suspect your child may be using or abusing prescription or
nonprescription medicines, there are some steps you can take:
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Come right out and ask.
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Look for signs and symptoms of drug use (such as doing poorly in
school, engaging in risky behaviors, frequent fighting with family and friends,
getting into trouble with the law).
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Learn the risk factors for drug use, like a family history of
addiction or having friends who drink or use drugs.
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Monitor their activities and provide consequences when they use
drugs.
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