Substances:
Category and Name |
Examples of Commercial
and Street Names |
DEA Schedule*/
How Administered** |
Intoxication Effects/Potential Health Consequences |
| Depressants |
reduced pain and anxiety; feeling of well-being; lowered inhibitions; slowed pulse and breathing; lowered blood pressure; poor concentration/confusion, fatigue; impaired coordination, memory, judgment; respiratory depression and arrest, addiction
Also, for barbiturates—sedation, drowsiness/depression, unusual excitement, fever, irritability, poor judgment, slurred speech, dizziness
for benzodiazepines—sedation, drowsiness/dizziness
for flunitrazepam—visual and gastrointestinal disturbances, urinary retention, memory loss for the time under the drug's effects |
|
barbiturates |
Amytal, Nembutal, Seconal, Phenobarbital; barbs, reds, red birds, phennies, tooies, yellows, yellow jackets |
II, III, V/injected, swallowed |
| benzodiazepines (other than flunitrazepam) |
Ativan, Halcion, Librium, Valium, Xanax; candy, downers, sleeping pills, tranks |
IV/swallowed |
| flunitrazepam***+ |
Rohypnol; forget-me pill, Mexican Valium, R2, Roche, roofies, roofinol, rope, rophies |
IV/swallowed, snorted |
| Dissociative Anesthetics |
increased heart rate and blood pressure, impaired motor function/memory loss; numbness; nausea/vomiting
Also, for ketamine—at high doses, delirium, depression, respiratory
depression and arrest |
| ketamine |
Ketalar SV; cat Valium, K, Special K, vitamin K |
III/injected, snorted, smoked |
| Opioids and Morphine Derivatives |
pain relief, euphoria, drowsiness/respiratory depression and arrest, nausea, confusion, constipation, sedation, unconsciousness, coma, tolerance, addiction
Also, for codeine—less analgesia, sedation, and respiratory depression than
morphine |
| codeine |
Empirin with Codeine, Fiorinal with Codeine, Robitussin A-C, Tylenol with Codeine; Captain Cody, Cody, schoolboy; (with glutethimide) doors & fours, loads, pancakes and syrup |
II, III, IV/injected, swallowed |
| fentanyl |
Actiq, Duragesic, Sublimaze; Apache, China girl, China white, dance fever, friend, goodfella, jackpot, murder 8, TNT, Tango and Cash |
II/injected, smoked, snorted |
| morphine |
Roxanol, Duramorph; M, Miss Emma, monkey, white stuff |
II, III/injected, swallowed, smoked |
| opium |
laudanum, paregoric; big O, black stuff, block, gum, hop |
II, III, V/swallowed, smoked |
| other opioid pain relievers (oxycodone, meperidine, hydromorphone, hydrocodone, propoxyphene) |
Tylox, OxyContin, Percodan, Percocet; oxy 80s, oxycotton, oxycet, hillbilly heroin, percs
Demerol, meperidine hydrochloride; demmies, pain killer
Dilaudid; juice, dillies
Vicodin, Lortab, Lorcet; Darvon, Darvocet |
II, III, IV/swallowed, injected, suppositories, chewed, crushed, snorted |
| Stimulants |
increased heart rate, blood pressure, metabolism; feelings of exhilaration, energy, increased mental alertness/rapid or irregular heart beat; reduced appetite, weight loss, heart failure
Also, for amphetamines—rapid breathing; hallucinations/tremor, loss of
coordination; irritability, anxiousness, restlessness, delirium, panic, paranoia, impulsive behavior, aggressiveness, tolerance, addiction
for cocaine—increased temperature/chest pain, respiratory failure, nausea,
abdominal pain, strokes, seizures, headaches, malnutrition
for methamphetamine—aggression, violence, psychotic behavior/memory
loss, cardiac and neurological damage; impaired memory and learning,
tolerance, addiction
for methylphenidate—increase or decrease in blood pressure, psychotic
episodes/digestive problems, loss of appetite, weight loss |
| amphetamines |
Biphetamine, Dexedrine; bennies, black beauties, crosses, hearts, LA turnaround, speed, truck drivers, uppers |
II/injected, swallowed, smoked, snorted |
| cocaine |
Cocaine hydrochloride; blow, bump, C, candy, Charlie, coke, crack, flake, rock, snow, toot |
II/injected, smoked, snorted |
| methamphetamine |
Desoxyn; chalk, crank, crystal, fire, glass, go fast, ice, meth, speed |
II/injected, swallowed, smoked, snorted |
| methylphenidate |
Ritalin; JIF, MPH, R-ball, Skippy, the smart drug, vitamin R |
II/injected, swallowed, snorted |
| Other Compounds |
no intoxication effects/hypertension, blood clotting and cholesterol changes,
liver cysts and cancer, kidney cancer, hostility and aggression, acne; adolescents, premature stoppage of growth; in males, prostate cancer, reduced
sperm production, shrunken testicles, breast enlargement; in females, menstrual
irregularities, development of beard and other masculine characteristics |
| anabolic steroids |
Anadrol, Oxandrin, Durabolin, Depo-Testosterone, Equipoise; roids, juice |
III/injected, swallowed, applied
to skin |
|
* Schedule I and II drugs have a high potential for abuse. 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 (unrefillable) and require a form for ordering. 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.
*** Associated with sexual assaults.
+ Not available by prescription in U.S.
Facts About Prescription Drug Abuse
| More than 6.3 Million Americans Reported Current Use of Prescription Drugs for Nonmedical Purposes in 2003 |
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Medications can be effective when they are used properly, but some can be addictive and dangerous when misused. This chart provides a brief look at some prescribed medications that—when used in ways other than they are prescribed—have the potential for abuse and even addiction.
Fortunately, most Americans take their medications responsibly. Addiction to prescription drugs is rare. However, in 2003, approximately 15 million Americans reported using a prescription drug for nonmedical reasons at least once during the year.
| Past Month Use of Selected Illicit Drugs Among Youths, by Age: 2003 |
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What types of prescription drugs are misused or abused?
Three types of drugs are misused or abused most often:
- Opioids—prescribed for pain relief
- CNS depressants—barbiturates and benzodiazepines prescribed for anxiety or sleep problems (often referred to as sedatives or tranquilizers)
- Stimulants—prescribed for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), the sleep disorder narcolepsy, or obesity.
How can you help prevent prescription drug misuse or abuse?
- Keep your doctor informed about all medications you are taking, including over-the-counter medications.
- Take your medication(s) as prescribed.
- Read the information your pharmacist provides before starting to take medications.
- Ask your doctor or pharmacist about your medication, especially if you are unsure about its effects.
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