Prescription Drugs

3 Specific Classifications of Prescription Drugs – Narcotics – Stimulants – Depressants

Prescription Drugs Terms – Over-The-Counter OTC drug labels contain information about ingredients, uses, warnings and directions that are important to read and understand. – Drug-Drug InteractionsDrug- Drug interactions occur when two or more drugs react with each other. This may cause you to experience an unexpected side effect. – Drug-Condition Interactions Drug-condition interactions may occur when an existing medical condition makes certain drugs potentially harmful.

Prescription Drugs Many teens mistakenly believe that pharmaceuticals (prescription drugs) are safer than “street drugs” for a variety of reasons: – These are medicines – They can be obtained from doctors, pharmacies, friends or family members; – It’s not necessary to buy them from traditional “drug dealers”; – Information on the effects of these drugs is widely available

Prescription Drugs Narcotics – They are the most used and abused drugs in the U.S. today. – They are used to aleve varying types of pain. – They work by attaching to certain proteins in the brain and spinal cord that are responsible for pain. Once attach they can change the way that someone feels pain.

Prescription Drugs Nacotics – The narcotics also affect the region of the brain that is responsible for pleasure, this making someone feel like they are in a state of euphoria.

Prescription Drugs Narcotics – Short Term Effects – Drowsiness Constipation Short Breath – Long Term Effects – Physical Dependence Physical Tolerance

Prescription Drugs Narcotics – Specific Types Oxycontin Vicodin Codeine Demerol Percocet Morphine

Prescription Drugs Oxycontin – History Developed in Germany in It was designed to be a better medication other than heroin, codeine, and even morphine. At that time, no one thought that this new drug would become one of the most widely used and abused prescription drugs of all time. Oxycodone first came to the U.S. in It wasn’t until 1996 that it became widely used. By 2001 it was the best selling narcotic pain reliever in the country.

Prescription Drugs Oxycontin – Short Term Effects nausea Vomiting constipation loss of appetite Dizziness Headache tired feeling dry mouth Sweating itching.

Prescription Drugs Vicodin – Contains a combination of acetaminophen and hydrocodone – It is used to relieve moderate to severe pain. Side Effects – shallow breathing – slow heartbeat – feeling light-headed – fainting – Confusion – Fear – unusual thoughts or behavior Side Effects (con’t) – seizure (convulsions); – problems with urination – feeling anxious – mild nausea – Vomiting – constipation – Headache – mood changes – blurred vision – dry mouth.mouth

Prescription Drug Percocet – A combination of acetaminophen and oxycodone. – Used to relieve severe pain. Side Effects – shallow breathing – slow heartbeat – feeling light-headed – loss of appetite – jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes) – drowsy – constipation – blurred vision

Prescription Drugs Morhphine – Used for moderate pain relieve. – Comes in a liquid form or an injection. – Highly addicting. Side Effects – shallow breathing – slow heartbeat – seizure (convulsions) – warmth – tingling, or redness under your skin – Memory problems – Sleep problems (insomnia)

Prescription Drugs Stimulants – Drugs that increase alertness and energy. – Most typically prescribed for individuals that have attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. – Also prescribed for some forms of narcolepsy (sleeping disorder), along with depression. – Most common types are Ritalin and Adderall – Chemicals in these medicines cause the increase of dopamine.

Prescription Drugs Ritalin – Affects areas of the brain that are responsible for hyperactivity. – Used to treat ADD and ADHD – Also used to treat narcolepsy (sleeping disorder). Side Effects – fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeats – aggression – Restlessness – motor tics (muscle twitches) – loss of appetite – Sweating – nervous feeling – weight loss – insomnia

Prescription Drugs Adderall – Used to help with hyperactivity such as ADHD. – Is very addicting – Long term use can result in stunting of growth in young people. Side Effects – feeling light-headed – Tremor – unusual behavior – motor tics (muscle twitches) – dry mouth or an unpleasant taste in your mouth – Loss of appetite

Prescription Drugs Depressants – They are used to treat anxiety disorders and short- term sleeping problems. – There are two types of depressant prescription drugs Barbiturates Benzodiazepines

Prescription Drugs Barbiturates – Are used to treat anxiety (stress), tension, and sleeping disorders Benzodiazepines – Used to treat anxiety, acute stress reactions, and panic attacks. – Examples: Valium Xanax

Prescription Drugs Valium – It affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause anxiety. – used in the management of anxiety disorders, shakiness, and hallucinations during alcohol withdrawal and to relieve certain types of muscle pain. Side Effects – unusual thoughts – unusual risk-taking behavior – decreased inhibitions – depressed mood – hostility – muscle twitching – Jaundice – Nightmares – lack of balance or coordination

Prescription Drugs Xanax – It helps that chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause anxiety. – Also used to treat anxiety disorders, panic disorders, and anxiety caused by depression. Side Effects – unusual risk-taking behavior – decreased inhibitions – thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself – agitation – Hostility – feeling irritable – amnesia or forgetfulness, trouble concentrating – slurred speech