This document discusses commonly abused prescription drugs and signs of abuse. It describes several classes of prescription drugs like opioids, CNS depressants, and stimulants that are often abused. It also focuses on dextromethorphan (DXM), an active ingredient in many cough medicines, explaining its approved uses but risks of abuse. The document outlines signs that could indicate prescription drug abuse and provides strategies to address the problem through education, monitoring, safe disposal, and enforcement.

2. 
Taking a medicine that was prescribed for someone else
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Taking a larger dose than you are supposed to

Taking the medicine in a different way than you are
supposed to, (i.e. crushing tablets and then snorting or
injecting them).

Using the medicine for another purpose, such as getting
high

3. 
Opioids: prescribed for pain relief.
-Percocet, Tylox, OxyContin, Vicodin, Lortab, Dolophine

CNS Depressants: prescribed for anxiety or sleep
problems (often referred to as sedatives or tranquilizers)
-Valium, Xanax, Fiorinal/Fioricet

Stimulants: prescribed for ADHD, narcolepsy (sleep
disorder), or obesity
-Ritalin, Adderall

5. 
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The active ingredient found in
most over-the-counter cough
medicines
Became FDA approved in the
1950’s
Most widely used cough
suppressant ingredient in the
U.S.
Cough medicines with DXM are
safe when taken according to
labeling instructions, but can
be dangerous when taken in
excessive amounts that are
higher than the recommended
doses.
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SIDE EFFECTS
Nausea and vomiting
Stomach pain
Confusion
Dizziness
Double or blurred vision
Slurred speech
Impaired physical coordination
Rapid heart beat
Drowsiness
Numbness of fingers and toes
Disorientation

6. More than 100 OTC medicines
containing DXM are on the market
today.
 These medicines come in the form
of
liquids, capsules, gelcaps, lozenge
s, and tablets.
 Common DXM-containing cough
medicines:
Alka Seltzer
Plus™, Comtrex™, Coricidin™, Dels
ym™, Dimetapp™, Mucinex
DM™, Pediacare™, Robitussin™, T
heraflu™, Triaminic™, Tylenol
Cough & Cold™, Vicks
DayQuil™/NyQuil™, Vicks Formula
44™


7. 
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Empty cough medicine boxes or bottles in the trash of your child’s
room or in your child’s backpack or school locker
Purchase or use of large amounts of cough medicine when not ill
Missing boxes or bottles of medicine from home medicine cabinets
Visiting pro-drug websites that provide information on how to abuse
DXM
Internet orders, the arrival of unexpected packages, or
unexplained payments by credit card
Changes in friends, physical appearance, or sleeping or eating
patterns
Declining grades
Loss of interest in hobbies or favorite activities
Hostile and uncooperative attitudes
Unexplained disappearance of household money
Unusual chemical or medicinal smells on your child or in his or her
room

8. 
Education- Teach parents, youth, and patients about the dangers of abusing
prescription drugs. Require prescribers to receive education on the appropriate
and safe use, proper storage, and proper disposal of prescription drugs.

Monitoring- Implement prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMP) in every
state to reduce “doctor shopping” (patients will request care from several
physicians). Enhance PDMPs so they can share data across states and can be
used by healthcare providers.

Proper Medication Disposal- Develop convenient and environmentally safe
prescription drug disposal programs.

Enforcement- Provide law enforcement with the tools necessary to eliminate
improper prescribing practices and stop pill mills, (doctor, clinic or pharmacy that
is prescribing or dispensing powerful narcotics inappropriately or for non-medical
reasons).

9. 
Ask your doctor or pharmacist about your medication, especially if
you are unsure about its effects.

Keep your doctor informed about all medications you are
taking, including over-the-counter medications.

Read the information your pharmacist provides before starting to
take medications.

Take your medication(s) as prescribed.

Keep all prescription medications secured at all times and properly
dispose of any unused medications.

10. “Many illegal street drugs
were at one time used or
prescribed by doctors or
psychiatrists but were later
banned when the evidence
of their harmful effects
could no longer be ignored.
Examples are
heroin, cocaine, LSD, meth
amphetamine and
Ecstasy.”

11. 
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Skippy
The smart drug
Vitamin R
Bennies
Black beauties
Roses
Hearts
Speed
Uppers
Hillbilly heroin
Oxy
OC
Oxycotton
Percs
Happy pills
Vikes
Barbs
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Reds
Red birds
Phennies
Tooies
Yellows
Yellow jackets
A-minus
Zombie pills
Candy
Downers
Sleeping pills
Tranks
For DXM: dex, drex, orange
crush, poor man’s x, red
devils, red
hots, robo, rojo, robotard, skittles, syrup
head, Vitamin D

12. In what ways do you think illegal drugs are
different from prescription drugs?
 Why doesn’t prescription drug abuse get as
much attention as illegal drug use?
 Should doctors limit their prescriptions of
painkillers to prevent others from becoming
addicted?


13. 
Treatment Referral Helpline
(1-800-662-HELP)
 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
(1-800-273-TALK)

Visit this link to find treatment centers in your
state
http://www.samhsa.gov/treatment/

14. National Institute on Drug Abuse (October 2011). Commonly
Abused Prescription Drugs Chart. Retrieved from
http://www.drugabuse.gov/drugs-abuse/commonly-abuseddrugs/commonly-abused-prescription-drugs-chart
2. Office of National Drug Control Policy (April 2011). A Response
to the Epidemic of Prescription Drug Abuse. Retrieved from
http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/ondcp/Fact_Sh
eets/prescription_drug_abuse_fact_sheet_4-25-11.pdf
3. Stop Medicine Abuse (n.d.). What is DXM. Retrieved from
http://stopmedicineabuse.org/what-is-dxm
4. Medline Plus (February 2014). Prescription Drug Abuse.
Retrieved from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/
1.