Prescription Drugs

Prescription Drug Abuse in Nebraska

jwilliams — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 15:36:44 -0600

Prescription Drug Abuse refers to the use of narcotic pain relievers, tranquilizers, stimulants, and sedatives for reasons not prescribed by a doctor. Recent data indicates that prescription drug abuse, particularly opioid, known commonly as pain killers, has increased at an alarming rate over the last 10 years and ranks second (behind marijuana) in illicit drug abuse among adults and youth.

According to the White House Drug Policy, prescription drug abuse calls for immediate action.

Ambien

jwilliams — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 15:36:31 -0600

Ambien is a Schedule IV controlled substance available in 5- and 10-mg tablets. A Schedule IV drug has a low potential for abuse relative to the drugs or other substances in Schedule III. A Schedule IV drug has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Also, a Schedule IV drug may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to the drugs or other substances in Schedule III.

Patients who abuse prescription sleep aids such as Ambien may form an addiction.

Ativan

jwilliams — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 15:35:46 -0600

The widespread availability of drugs such as Ativan has made them common as drugs of addiction. Most people who take Ativan take it responsibly; however, the nonmedical use or abuse of Ativan and other prescription medications remains a serious public health concern. Long-term users typically develop a tolerance to the drugs, requiring larger doses to achieve the desired effects. A psychological and/or physical dependence can develop, making it difficult to discontinue use.

Codeine

jwilliams — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 15:35:07 -0600

Many people are prescribed Codeine and come to find that while the medication they are taking is numbing their pain, they also experience the dreamy, disassociative feeling that goes along with the analgesic properties. One way of looking at it is, while the physical pain is being suppressed, so is whatever mental and emotional pain that they may be feeling.

They then begin to take more than is prescribed and they become addicted to Codeine. This is not always the case, nor does every Codeine addict come to take the drug in a medical setting. Some just take Codeine to get high.

Darvocet

jwilliams — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 15:34:26 -0600

Darvocet is prescribed to relieve mild to moderate pain, as well as treating fevers. Darvocet is a combination of acetaminophen and propoxyphene. Propoxyphene is a centrally acting narcotic analgesic agent. It works by changing the way your body feels pain. The propoxyphene in Darvocet, if taken in high doses or with other drugs has been associated with numerous drug-realted deaths. The acetaminophen in Darvocet can also be hazardous and cause liver damage; do not take more than 4000 mg of acetaminophen per day.

Hydrocodone

jwilliams — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 15:33:34 -0600

Hydrocodone addiction is a growing crisis in the United States. While illegal drugs like cocaine, marijuana, methamphetamine, and heroin remain in the headlines many individuals may be surprised to know that hydrocodone addiction could lurk right behind them as one of the most widely-abused drugs of addiction. In fact, the federal Drug Enforcement Administration believes hydrocodone may be the most abused prescription drug in the country. Nationwide, its use has quadrupled in the last ten years, while emergency room visits attributed to hydrocodone abuse soared 500 percent.

Morphine

jwilliams — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 15:32:55 -0600

Morphine is highly addictive. Tolerance (the need for higher and higher doses to maintain the same effect) and physical and psychological addiction to Morphine develop quickly. Withdrawal from Morphine causes nausea, tearing, yawning, chills, and sweating lasting up to three days. Morphine crosses the placental barrier, and babies born to Morphine-using mothers go through Morphine withdrawal.

Addictive drugs, such as Morphine activate the brain's reward systems.

OxyContin

jwilliams — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 15:32:08 -0600

OxyContin, approved by the FDA in 1995, is an opium derivative that contains the same active ingredient as Percodan and Percocet. OxyContin is intended for use by terminal cancer patients and chronic pain sufferers. The structural formula for oxycodone hydrochloride is as follows: The chemical formula is 4, 5-epoxy-14-hydroxy-3-methoxy- 17-methylmorphinan-6-one hydrochloride. OxyContin is designed so that the oxycodone is slowly released over time.

Oxycodone is a white, odorless, crystalline powder derived from the opium alkaloid.

Percocet

jwilliams — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 15:30:59 -0600

Percocet addiction is a major risk with prolonged use (over 2-3 weeks) of Percocet. Addictive drugs, such as Percocet activate the brain's reward systems. The promise of reward is very intense, causing the individual to crave Percocet and to focus his or her activities around taking Percocet. The ability of Percocet to strongly activate brain reward mechanisms and its ability to chemically alter the normal functioning of these systems can produce a Percocet addiction.

Ritalin

jwilliams — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 15:30:05 -0600

Ritalin (methylphenidate) is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant. It has effects similar to, but more potent than, caffeine and less potent than amphetamines. The way Ritalin works in a user is not completely understood. What is known about how Ritalin"works" is that it produces malfunctions in the brain rather than by improving brain function. This is the only way it works.

Ritalin is available as 5, 10, and 20 mg tablets for oral administration. A 20 mg extended-release tablet for oral administration is also available.