Posts Tagged Prescription Drug Abuse

FDA on Reducing Use of Prescription Painkillers

Posted by Drug Free in Drug Addiction, Prescription Drug Abuse on July 26th, 2010

The proposal of the Food and Drug Administration that aims to reduce the abuse and misuse of pain medication such as OxyContin has been rejected by an advisory committee, according to a feature on The New York Times.

prescription pillsThe committee voted 25 to 10 against the plan. This advisory panel included doctors and pain experts, and one of the reasons for the rejection was that the panel felt that the plan lacked a stipulation requiring doctors to undergo training on the appropriate use of prescription narcotics. This rendered the plan as weak in terms of controlling the use of such drugs.

Drugs such as OxyContin, fentanyl and methadone are considered as important in pain management; however, these are the same drugs involved prescription drug abuse, and have also been linked to deaths due to overdose. It is for this reason that the FDA, as well as the drug industry, worked together to draw up a plan to reduce the misuse and abuse of these medications.

Dr. John K. Jenkins, director of the office of new drugs at the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research at the FDA, shared that the concern of the advisory panel lay in the “voluntary nature of the training requirements” for doctors.

It was said that the FDA had initially planned on stipulating mandatory training for those who intend to prescribe the drugs. The agency, however, was concerned about the fact that they only had the authority to require drug manufacturers to provide training. Another concern for the agency was that some doctors may choose to simply stop prescribing the drugs if they find mandatory trainings too tedious, thereby limiting the options of patients who may need them.

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Prescription Drug Mixing: Dangerous, Deadly

Posted by Drug Free in Prescription Drug Abuse on May 3rd, 2010

In parties, we love mixing drinks to come up with unique tasting alcoholic cocktails. Bloody Mary mixes vodka, tomato juice, worcestershire sauce, tabasco sauce and lemon juice. Margarita blends in tequila, Cointreau and lime juice. The very popular Martini takes in gin and vermouth to give a smooth mixture.

prescription drugsCreating mixes, though, should not be extended to the intake of prescription drugs. You may have noticed that your doctor asks you about other medications you may be currently taking before he prescribes you a certain medicine. Mixing prescription drugs, unlike mixing alcohol, is very dangerous and can be fatal.

When taken separately, the drugs work to your advantage, relieving you of any pain or symptom that you may be suffering from. When taken together or within a short period of time, the drugs may intensify or counteract the action of the other, or the combination may bring a different set of effects. Thousands of deaths related to the accidental overdose or mixing of prescription drugs are reported every year, and many are still at risk.

To avoid prescription drug mixing, create your own medication list that covers all drugs you take in, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, herbal medicines, vitamins, and dietary supplements. Always inform your doctor about the medications you are having so he can prescribe the right medicine. Update the list regularly and make sure you separate the old drugs from the new ones. Do not take old medications when you feel old symptoms coming back without telling your doctor first.

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Prescription Drugs Abused by Teens

Posted by Drug Free in Prescription Drug Abuse on March 10th, 2010

Teen prescription drug abusers, or what they call ‘Generation Rx’, are a growing in number. Drugs that are usually obtained only with a proper medical presciption are being abused by children as young as 12 years old. Here are some common prescription drugs that are abused by the youth:

prescription drugsStimulants

These drugs are prescribed for patients who suffer from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), asthma, obesity and narcolepsy. The drugs function to counteract feelings of weakness usually caused by fatigue, stress or alcohol. These drugs enhance concentration, alertness and energy and are often mixed with alcohol, which makes it even more dangerous. Teens usually abuse these drugs during activities that may need an extra push, like long examinations or competitive games. Examples of stimulants are Ritalin, Dexedrine and Concerta.

Painkillers

Painkillers can be either opium or morphine (narcotic) derivatives. These are prescribed to those suffering from chronic pain. Marijuana is also known to be prescribed to those who are dealing with cancer, which is medically proven to help administer pain. Vicodin is one of those painkiller drugs which are very potent and addictive. Among the listed drugs that are addictive are: Codeine, Hydrocodone, Oxycodone, Opium, Morphine and Fentanyl.

Depressants

These drugs are usually prescribed to patients who suffer from tension, sleep disorders and panic attacks. Depending on the dose, depressants act as a form of anaesthetic. These are usually called sedatives or tranquilizers, whose primary function is to slow down brain activity. Common prescribed depressants are Valium, Klonopin, Soma, Xanax and Ambien.

Unfortunately, while you should need a medical prescription to obtain these drugs, teens can easily access them online without presenting anything from the doctor. There are also people actually peddling prescription drugs in some universities.

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Prescription Drugs Deadlier than Cocaine and Heroin

Posted by Drug Free in Prescription Drug Abuse on December 1st, 2009

According to a statewide report on drug-related deaths in Florida, tagged as the nation’s capital for “pill mills”, prescription drugs have overtaken cocaine and heroin as the deadliest drugs.

prescription drugsThe study found that the painkiller oxycodone, with brand names such as Xanax and Valium, and the addiction-treatment drug methadone caused the most drug-related deaths in Florida during the first half of the year. These deaths are highly preventable if only medical practitioners are more careful in prescribing these drugs and are more vigilant in checking other practitioners who may be prescribing painkillers in large numbers.

Governor Charlie Crist has already signed the law that requires pharmacists and peddlers of addictive drugs in the state to submit sales reports to a database. This database aims to check possible drug dealers or abusers who go from one doctor to another, as if shopping for prescription drugs, or who get pills from multiple sources.

A survey by the Partnership for a Drug Free America also reveals that one in five teens admit of experimenting with legal medication. This disturbing trend in prescription drug abuse is also causing significant damage to our youth, who may be getting their drug fix within their very own homes.

The US Drug Enforcement Agency advises parents to talk to their children about the risks of abusing prescription drugs and inspect medicine cabinets at home to take regular inventories. Prescription drugs are meant to help patients deal with pain or discomfort, but in the wrong hands, they can be extremely dangerous.

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Prescription Drug Abuse Needs Special Attention

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Drug Abuse Treatment, Drug Addiction, Drug Facts, Drug Rehabilitation, Drug Testing, Prescription Drug Abuse on October 4th, 2009

prescription drug

The dangers associated with prescription drug abuse were brought to light in 2007 when a 24 year old man and a 13 year old girl overdosed within a spell of three months. Since then abuse of Rx drugs has reached alarming proportions. It is high time that the government pays special attention to the issue or else the loss that the country is sure to face in terms of youth potentials, is beyond imagination.

Inland Rep Mary Bono Mack told the members of the Western Hemisphere subcommittee that the nation’s domestic drug policy should give emphasis on the problem of prescription drug abuse – a problem which is growing beyond proportions. “Just because it’s sitting in the medicine cabinet doesn’t mean its safe,” she said before the subcommittee that had approved legislation that would create a commission to assess the effectiveness of U.S. counter-narcotics efforts.

The members of the legislation agreed to what Bono Mack said. Subcommittee Chairman Elliot Engel said, “For too long our country has been overly focused on the supply side of the drug trade, while paying far too little attention to what happens here at home.”

Bono Mack’s own son, Chesare is a recovering addict who first started taking Oxycontin, a painkiller, after the death of his father, former entertainer and Inland Rep. Sonny Bono. Chesare’s Oxycontin addiction later escalated to heroin addiction. This transition from prescription drugs to heroin is a common feature amongst this population.

A special drug-diversion unit is being formed by the Montana Department of Justice to fight against the growing problem in the state. The special unit will be funded by a $ 1.2 million stimulus grant through the U.S. Department of Justice. The team will comprise of six members – three investigators, a public outreach and education co-ordinator, a prosecutor and an administrative assistant. Their approach will include prevention, law enforcement and treatment.

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Beware of the Prescription Drug, Adderall – It is Addictive

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Drug Abuse Treatment, Drug Addiction, Drug Facts, Drug Rehabilitation, Drug Testing, Prescription Drug Abuse on October 2nd, 2009

adderall

Prescription drug abuse has been a growing source of concern. Often the victims start using the drug without even knowing about its addictive nature. But gradually, with increased usage, the primary purpose of using it fades away and the person gets hooked to it.

Adderall is one such prescription drug, the use of which has gained tremendous popularity among college students as well as housewives. It is a Central Nervous System stimulant and students use it for staying awake at night during their exams. It also helps in reducing weight and is thus well-liked by women who like to shed that extra fat to get the swimsuit figure. The increasing demand for Adderall prescriptions amongst parents of college students coupled with a college culture that encourages its use is leading to a rise in Adderall addiction.

Adderall is a Schedule II drug and its annual sale is roughly $600 million. You need a prescription to get this drug since it has high potential to be abused and may lead to severe physical and psychological dependence.

The effects of Adderall are insomnia, lack of appetite, nausea and vomiting, palpitations, dizziness, changes in heart rate and blood pressure which usually increases but may also decrease in certain cases, headache, abdominal pain, digestive problems skin rashes and itching, weight loss, unexplained muscle tenderness, muscle weakness, flu like symptoms, toxic psychosis and psychotic episodes. Paranoia, hallucinations, feelings of hostility, excessive repetition of movements and formicaton (sensation of bugs and worms crawling under the skin) are related with long-term, excessive use of the drug. Overdose may also lead to cardio-vascular failure and convulsion.

Thus Adderall is not really a buddy as your friends might be portraying it. Don’t get lured by its temporary benefits since it might pave your way to the rehab centre in the near future.

For more information on the matter you can call The Atlanta Recovery Center of Georgia at 1-877-236-3981.

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