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NIDA Home > Drugs of Abuse/Related Topics > Prescription Medications

Prescription Medications

Brief
Description:

Prescription drug abuse means taking a prescription medication that is
not prescribed for you, or taking it for reasons or in dosages other
than as prescribed. Abuse of prescription drugs can produce serious
health effects, including addiction. Commonly abused classes of
prescription medications include opioids (for pain), central nervous
system depressants (for anxiety and sleep disorders), and stimulants
(for ADHD and narcolepsy). Opioids include hydrocodone (Vicodin®),
oxycodone (OxyContin®), propoxyphene (Darvon®), hydromorphone
(Dilaudid®), meperidine (Demerol®), and diphenoxylate (Lomotil®).
Central nervous system depressants include barbiturates such as
pentobarbital sodium (Nembutal®), and benzodiazepines such as diazepam
(Valium®) and alprazolam (Xanax®). Stimulants include
dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine®), methylphenidate (Ritalin® and
Concerta®), and amphetamines (Adderall®).

Street Names:

oxy, cotton, blue, 40, 80 (OxyContin®)
More at Street Terms (Office of National Drug Control Policy Web Site)

Effects:

Long-term use of opioids or central nervous system depressants can
lead to physical dependence and addiction. Opioids can produce
drowsiness, constipation and, depending on amount taken, can depress
breathing. Central nervous system depressants slow down brain
function; if combined with other medications that cause drowsiness or
with alcohol, heart rate and respiration can slow down dangerously.
Taken repeatedly or in high doses, stimulants can cause anxiety,
paranoia, dangerously high body temperatures, irregular heartbeat, or
seizures.

Statistics
and Trends:

In 2008, 15.2 million Americans age 12 and older had taken a
prescription pain reliever, tranquilizer, stimulant, or sedative for
nonmedical purposes at least once in the year prior to being surveyed.
Source: National Survey on Drug Use and Health (Substance Abuse and
Mental Health Administration Web Site). The NIDA-funded 2008
Monitoring the Future Study showed that 2.9% of 8th graders, 6.7% of
10th graders, and 9.7% of 12th graders had abused Vicodin and 2.1% of
8th graders, 3.6% of 10th graders, and 4.7% of 12th graders had abused
OxyContin for nonmedical purposes at least once in the year prior to
being surveyed. Source: Monitoring the Future (University of Michigan
Web Site)

NIDA's Featured Publications

Topics in Brief: Prescription Drug Abuse

Topics in Brief: Prescription Drug Abuse

NIDA Infofacts: Perscription Meds

NIDA InfoFacts: Prescription Drugs and Pain Medications. Describes the
health effects of abusing prescription drugs. For a general audience.
(Report).
En Español

Research Reports:  Hallucinogens cover

NIDA Research Report: Prescription Drugs: Abuse and Addiction. More
detailed look at research findings on prescription drug abuse. For a
general audience. (Report).
En Español

NIDA Infofacts: Perscription Meds

NIDA InfoFacts: Methylphenidate (Ritalin®). Overview of the health
effects of Ritalin® when it is used for non-medical purposes. For a
general audience. (Fact sheet).

NIDA Infofacts: Perscription Meds

NIDA InfoFacts: Steroids (Anabolic-Androgenic). Brief description of
the health hazards of anabolic steroids when they are used for
non-medical purposes. For a general audience. (Fact sheet).

Other NIDA Resources on Prescription Medications

Prescription Drugs of Abuse Chart

Prescription Drug Abuse (Topics in Brief PDF formatted, 88Kb)

View all related NIDA publications >> 2199300since 2/07/01

Need a drug treatment referral call 1.800.662.4357

See Also:

Other Recommended Reading

Drugs, Brains, and Behavior - The Science of Addiction

Fentanyl Abuse - Message from the NIDA Director

Fentanyl

Increased Abuse of Prescription Drugs is Cause for Concern -
 Message from the NIDA Director

Preventing Drug Use Among Children and Adolescents: A
 Research-Based Guide for Parents, Educators, & Community Leaders,
 2nd edition

NIDA InfoFacts: High School and Youth Trends

NIDA InfoFacts: Hospital Visits (Trends and Statistics)

NIDA InfoFacts: Nationwide Trends

NIDA's Publication Series

Research Reports

InfoFacts (fact sheets)

NIDA Notes (newsletter)

Addiction Science & Clinical Practice (journal for researchers &
 health care providers)

Mind Over Matter: Drug info for grades 5-9

Topics in Brief

Other Web Sites

Proper Disposal of Prescription Drugs - (ONDCP, PDF, 95 Kb)

The RADARS System provides timely surveillance and monitoring to
 detect and characterize prescription drug abuse, misuse, and
 diversion

clubdrugs.gov - a NIDA Companion Web site

SteroidAbuse.gov - a NIDA Companion Web site

Buying Prescription Medicines Online: A Consumer Safety Guide -
 U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

MEDLINEplus Health Information on Substance Abuse - National
 Library of Medicine (NIH)

freevibe.com - Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP)

Scholastic - Heads Up

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