What are the Prescription Drugs Most Commonly Misused?
Prescription drugs encompass a broad category of psychotherapeutic drugs that includes narcotic analgesics or pain relievers, tranquilizers, sedatives, and stimulants available by prescription. These drugs have been developed, tested and approved for legitimate medical uses, and are regularly prescribed by physicians to treat an array of medical and psychological maladies.
Pain Relievers
Taken as directed, opiates or opioids are very effective analgesics which are used to treat pain, relieve coughs, or diarrhea. They can also create an intense sense of euphoria. Although produced in laboratories, these medications share similar potential for addiction and medical consequences as heroin. They are the category of prescription drugs most commonly misused.
Commercial names for pain relievers include:
- Darvocet®
- Darvon®
- Tylenol® with Codeine
- Percocet®
- Percodan®
- Tylox®
- Vicodin®
- Lortab®
- Lorcet®
- Lorcet Plus®
- Codeine
- Demerol®
- Dilaudid®
- Fioricet®
- Fiorinal®
- Hydrocodone
- Methadone
- Morphine
- OxyContin®
- Phenaphen® with Codeine;
- Propoxyphene
- SK-65®
- Stadol®
- Talacen®
- Talwin®
- Talwin NX®
- Tramadol
- Ultram®
Tranquilizers and Sedatives
Also known as central nervous system (CNS) depressants, tranquilizers and sedatives are substances that slow down normal brain functions by increasing the activity of a neurotransmitter called GABA. This results in a drowsy or calming effect. CNS depressants are primarily used to treat anxiety, tension, panic attacks, and sleep disorders. In higher doses, some CNS depressants can be used as general anesthetics.
Commercial names for tranquilizers include:
- Klonopin®
- Clonazepam
- Xanax®
- Alprazolam
- Ativan®
- Lorazepam
- Valium®
- Diazepam
- Atarax®
- BuSpar®
- Equanil®
- Flexeril®
- Librium®
- Limbitrol®
- Meprobamate
- Miltown®
- Rohypnol®
- Serax®
- Soma®
- Tranxene®
- Vistaril®
Commercial names for sedatives include:
- Methaqualone
- Sopor®
- Quaalude®
- Nembutal®
- Pentobarbital
- Seconal®
- Secobarbital
- Butalbital
- Restoril®
- Temazepam
- Amytal®
- Butisol®
- Chloral Hydrate
- Dalmane®
- Halcion®
- Phenobarbital
- Placidyl®
- Tuinal®
Stimulants
Stimulants are a class of drugs that enhance brain activity. These medications are prescribed to treat narcolepsy, obesity, asthma, depression, and most notably attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). They increase alertness, attention, and energy as well as elevate blood pressure, heart rate, and respiration.
Commercial names for stimulants include:
- Desoxyn®
- Methedrine®
- Amphetamines
- Benzedrine®
- Biphetamine®
- Fastin®
- Phentermine
- Ritalin®
- Methylphenidate
- Cylert®
- Dexedrine®
- Dextroamphetamine
- Didrex®
- Eskatrol®
- Ionamin®
- Mazanor®
- Obedrin‐LA®