Commonly Misused Prescription Drugs
Stonegate Center Addiction Treatment in TexasCommonly Misused Prescription Drugs
Commonly misused prescription drugs include barbiturates, benzodiazepines and sleep medications, opioid and morphine-based pain relievers, amphetamines, ADHD medications and DXM found in cough syrups. This list provides examples of their commercial and street names, how they are administered, their effects, health risks and other information.
| Depressants | ||
|---|---|---|
| Substances: Category & Name | Examples of Commercial & Street Names | DEA Schedule*/ How Administered** |
| Barbiturates | Amytal, Nembutal, Seconal, Phenobarbital: barbs, reds, tooies, yellows, yellow jackets | IV/swallowed |
| Benzodiazepines | Ativan, Halcion, Librium, Valium, Xanax, Klonopin: candy, downers, sleeping pills, tranks | IV/swallowed |
| Sleep Medications | Ambien (zolpidem), Sonata (zaleplon), Lunesta (eszopiclone) | IV/swallowed |
Acute Effects: Sedation/drowsiness, reduced anxiety, feelings of well-being, lowered inhibitions, slurred speech, poor concentration, confusion, dizziness, impaired coordination and memory
For barbiturates – euphoria, unusual excitement, fever, irritability
Health Risks: Slowed pulse, lowered blood pressure, slowed breathing, tolerance, withdrawal, addiction; increased risk of respiratory distress and death when combined with alcohol
For barbiturates – life-threatening withdrawal in chronic users
| Opioids & Morphine Derivatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| Substances: Category & Name | Examples of Commercial & Street Names | DEA Schedule*/ How Administered** |
| Codeine | Empirin with Codeine, Fiorinal with Codeine, Robitussin A-C, Tylenol with Codeine: Captain Cody, Cody, schoolboy; (with glutethimide: doors & fours, loads, pancakes & syrup) | II, III, IV/injected, swallowed |
| Morphine | Roxanol, Duramorph: M, Miss Emma, monkey, white stuff | II, III/injected, swallowed, smoked |
| Methadone | Methadose, Dolophine: fizzies, amidone (with MDMA: chocolate chip cookies) | II/swallowed, injected |
| Fentanyl & Analogs | Actiq, Duragesic, Sublimaze: Apache, China girl, dance fever, friend, goodfella, jackpot, murder 8, TNT, Tango & Cash | II/injected, smoked, snorted |
| Other Opioid Pain Relievers (Oxycodone Hcl, Hydrocodone Bitartrate, Hydromorphone, Oxymorphone, Meperidine, Propoxyphene) | Tylox, Oxycontin, Percodan, Percocet: Oxy, O.C., oxycotton, oxycet, hillbilly heroin, percs Vicodin, Lortab, Lorcet: vike, Watson-387 Dilaudid: juice, smack, D, footballs, dillies Opana, Numorphan, Numorphone: biscuits, blue heaven, blues, Mrs. O, octagons, stop signs, O Bomb Demerol, meperidine hydrochloride: demmies, pain killer Darvon, Darvocet | II, III, IV/chewed, swallowed, snorted, injected, suppositories |
Acute Effects: Pain relief, euphoria, drowsiness, sedation, weakness, dizziness, nausea, impaired coordination, confusion, dry mouth, itching, sweating, clammy skin, constipation
For fentanyl – 80–100 times more potent analgesic than morphine
For oxycodone – muscle relaxation, twice as potent analgesic as morphine
For codeine – less analgesia, sedation, and respiratory depression than morphine
For methadone – used to treat opioid addiction and pain; significant overdose risk when used improperly
Health Risks: Slowed or arrested breathing, lowered pulse and blood pressure, tolerance, addiction, unconsciousness, coma, death; risk of death increased when combined with alcohol or other central nervous system depressants
For oxycodone – high potential for misuse
| Stimulants | ||
|---|---|---|
| Substances: Category & Name | Examples of Commercial & Street Names | DEA Schedule*/ How Administered** |
| Amphetamines | Biphetamine, Dexedrine: bennies, black beauties, crosses, hearts, LA turnaround, speed, truck drivers, uppers | II/swallowed, snorted, smoked, injected |
| Methylphenidate | Concerta, Ritalin: JIF, MPH, R-ball, Skippy, the smart drug, vitamin R | II/injected, swallowed, snorted |
Acute Effects: Feelings of exhilaration, increased energy, mental alertness
For amphetamines – rapid breathing, tremor, loss of coordination, irritability, anxiousness, restlessness
Health Risks: Increased heart rate, blood pressure, and metabolism, reduced appetite, weight loss, nervousness, insomnia, seizures, heart attack, stroke
For amphetamines – delirium, panic, paranoia, hallucinations, impulsive behavior, aggressiveness, tolerance, addiction
For methylphenidate – increase or decrease in blood pressure, digestive problems, loss of appetite, weight loss
| Other Compounds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Substances: Category & Name | Examples of Commercial & Street Names | DEA Schedule*/ How Administered** |
Acute Effects: Euphoria, slurred speech
Health Risks: Increased heart rate and blood pressure, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, confusion, paranoia, distorted visual perceptions, impaired motor function
* Schedule I and II drugs have a high potential for misuse. They require greater storage security and have a quota on manufacturing, among other restrictions. Schedule I drugs are available for research only and have no approved medical use. Schedule II drugs are available only by prescription and require a new prescription for each refill. Schedule III and IV drugs are available by prescription, may have five refills in 6 months, and may be ordered orally. Most Schedule V drugs are available over the counter.
** Taking drugs by injection can increase the risk of infection through needle contamination with staphylococci, HIV, hepatitis, and other organisms. Injection is a more common practice for opioids, but risks apply to any medication taken by injection.
Source: National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2012). Commonly abused drugs. [Online]. Retrieved May 21, 2013 from http://www.drugabuse.gov/sites/default/files/rx_drugs_placemat_508c_10052011.pdf.
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