English: Commonly abused prescription and over the counter
drugs: (16,229)
Drug Abuse: Drug abuse isn't just
about street drugs. Besides marijuana, legal medicines are the most commonly
abused drugs in the U.S. Over-the-counter and prescription drugs can help and
heal us. But some can be addictive and dangerous if they’re used the wrong way.
Keep your family safe. Use this guide to help you spot some commonly misused
medicines.
Drug Abuse: What you
can do: Worried that someone you
love might be abusing drugs? The best thing to do is ask directly. Keep an eye
out for signs of abuse, like behavior changes or missing medicines. Many kids assume that common household drugs
or even prescription medicines are safer than street drugs because they're
legal. Explain the risks. Head off problems -- and clean out your medicine
cabinet. Get rid of the drugs you don't need, and keep track of the ones you
do.
Amphetamines: When prescribed, stimulants like the
amphetamines Adderall,Adderall XR and
Dexedrine can help people with ADHD. But some people use amphetamines to get
high, to boost energy and alertness, or to keep their weight down. You can get
addicted to stimulants. High doses can cause a dangerous rise in body
temperature, irregular heartbeat, and even cardiac arrest.
Barbiturates:
These are sedatives like phenobarbital,
pentobarbital (Nembutal), and secobarbital (Seconal). They help with anxiety,
sleep problems, and some seizures. But if you take more than prescribed, you
can get addicted. High doses can cause trouble breathing, especially if you use
them when you drink alcohol. If you can’t function without barbiturates, get
help. Going into withdrawal can be dangerous.
Benzodiazepines:
Alprazolam (Xanax)
and diazepam (Valium) are two examples of benzodiazepines -- another type of
sedative that can help with anxiety, panic attacks, and sleep problems. They
work well and they're safer than barbiturates. But overused, they can also lead
to physical dependence and addiction. Prescription drugs shouldn't be shared.
They are only for the person with the prescription.
Codeine and
Morphine: Some of the most commonly abused prescription meds are
painkillers -- specifically, opioids. These drugs dull pain, but in large doses
they can also cause a euphoric high -- and dangerous side effects. Doctors
usually prescribe morphine for severe pain and codeine for milder pain or
coughing. Brands of morphine include Avinza,Kadian, and MS Contin.
Dextromethorphan (DXM):
It's not just prescription drugs that are a problem. Dextromethorphan is a
common ingredient in over-the-counter cold and cough medicines -- it helps stop
the cough. But large doses can get you high and cause hallucinations. It's
popular among teens, since cough syrup is so easy to find in medicine cabinets.
High doses also cause vomiting, rapid heart rate, and -- rarely -- brain
damage.
Methylphenidate:
This is a stimulant in ADHD drugs like Concerta, Daytrana, Metadate, Methylin,
and Ritalin. If you take stimulants, combining them with common decongestants
can cause dangerously high blood pressure or an irregular heartbeat.
OxyContin,
Percocet: Another opioid painkiller is oxycodone. It's in drugs like
OxyContin, Percocet,Percodan, and Roxicodone. People who abuse oxycodone
sometimes crush it and snort it or inject it -- greatly raising the risk of
overdose
Pseudoephedrine:
This is a decongestant in lots of non-prescription cold medicines. While it
helps clear up a stuffy nose, it's also an ingredient in illegal
methamphetamine ("meth"). To curb meth abuse, U.S. laws now control
how you buy pseudoephedrine products. That's why some cold medicines are
located behind the counter and why you may have to sign for some.
Sleep Medicinesb:
If you have trouble sleeping, drugs like zolpidem (Ambien), eszopiclone
(Lunesta), and zaleplon (Sonata) can help you get the rest you need. But if you
use them longer than your doctor suggests, you may start to believe you need
them to sleep. Although they're not as addictive as some sleeping pills,
doctors are concerned about abuse if they're not taken as prescribed.
Vicodin, Lortab,
Lorcet: These drugs contain the opioid hydrocodone plus acetaminophen.
Opioids cause drowsiness and constipation. High doses can cause dangerous breathing
problems.
As always, stay safe
!
Bird
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