Some Commonly Prescribed
Medications:
Use and Consequences
|
Opioids
 | Oxycodone (OxyContin)
| Propoxyphene (Darvon)
| Hydrocodone (Vicodin)
| Hydromorphone (Dilaudid)
| Meperidine (Demerol)
| Diphenoxylate (Lomotil) |
| | | | |
|
CNS Depressants
Barbiturates
| Mephobarbital (Mebaral)
| Pentobarbital sodium (Nembutal) |
|
Benzodiazepines
| Diazepam (Valium)
| Chlordiazepoxide hydrochloride (Librium)
| Alprazolam (Xanax)
| Triazolam (Halcion)
| Estazolam (ProSom) |
| | | |
|
Stimulants
| Dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine)
| Methylphenidate (Ritalin)
| Sibutramine hydrochloride monohydrate (Meridia) |
| |
|
Generally prescribed for
| ostsurgical pain relief
| Management of acute or chronic pain
| Relief of coughs and diarrhea |
| |
|
Generally prescribed for
| Anxiety
| Tension
| Panic attacks
| Acute stress reactions
| Sleep disorders
| Anesthesia (at high doses) |
| | | | |
|
Generally prescribed for
| Narcolepsy
| Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
| Depression that does not respond to other treatment
| Short-term treatment of obesity
| Asthma |
| | | |
|
In the body
Opioids attach to opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord,
blocking the transmission of pain messages to the brain.
|
In the body
CNS depressants slow brain activity through actions on the GABA
system and, therefore, produce a calming effect.
|
In the body
Stimulants enhance brain activity, causing an increase in
alertness, attention, and energy.
|
Effects of short-term use
| Blocked pain messages
| Drowsiness
| Constipation
| Depressed respiration
(depending on dose) |
| | |
|
Effects of short-term use
| A "sleepy" and uncoordinated feeling during the first
few days, as the body becomes accustomed - tolerant - to the
effects, these feelings diminish. |
|
Effects of short-term use
| Elevated blood pressure
| Increased heart rate
| Increased respiration
| Suppressed appetite
| Sleep deprivation |
| | | |
|
Effects of long-term use
| Potential for tolerance, physical dependence, withdrawal, and/or
addiction |
|
Effects of long-term use
| Potential for tolerance, physical dependence, withdrawal, and/or
addiction |
|
Effects of long-term use
| Potential for addiction |
|
Possible negative effects
| Severe respiratory depression or death following a large single
dose |
|
Possible negative effects
| Seizures following a rebound in brain activity after reducing or
discontinuing use |
|
Possible negative effects
| Dangerously high body temperatures or an irregular heartbeat
after taking high doses
| Cardiovascular failure or lethal seizures
| For some stimulants, hostility or feelings of paranoia after
taking high doses repeatedly over a short period of time |
| |
|
Should not be used with
Other substances that cause CNS depression, including
| Alcohol
| Antihistamines
| Barbiturates
| Benzodiazepines
| General anesthetics |
| | | |
|
Should not be used with
Other substances that cause CNS depression, including
| Alcohol
| Prescription opioid pain medicines
| Some over-the-counter cold and allergy medications |
| |
|
Should not be used with
| Over-the-counter cold medicines containing decongestants
| Antidepressants, unless supervised by a physician
| Some asthma medications |
| |
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