Men are at a particular risk for prescription opioid-involved drug overdose. According to CDC (2019), men died at a rate of 6.1 per 100,00 compared to 4.2 among females. While overdose death rates are higher among men, women have a higher rate of hospitalizations and emergency department visits related to intentional and unintentional overdose attempts at a rate of 20.7 per 100,000 compared to 15.8 in males (CDC, 2019). Prescription drugs account for the second most commonly abused category of drugs, behind marijuana and ahead of cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine. Opiate overdoses (almost always heroin overdoses) are now increasing because of the abuse of prescription painkillers. Prescription drug abuse poses a unique challenge because of the need to balance prevention, education, and enforcement with the need for legitimate access to controlled substance prescription drugs (CDC, 2019). The extent of prescription drug misuse can only be estimated. Data from 2019 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) (2020) reported that about 16.3 million people in the United States misused psychotherapeutic drugs in the past year. Of these, 9.7 million were misusers of prescription pain relievers within the past year. The most commonly misused types of prescription pain relievers were Vicodin, Lortab, Norco, Zohydro, and generic hydrocodone (SAMHSA, 2020). An estimated 6.9 million people aged 12 or Opioids Many Americans benefit from the appropriate use of prescription painkillers, but when abused, they can be as addictive and as dangerous as illegal drugs. Pain is a complex topic, and adequate control of pain may enhance the quality of life for people who suffer from chronic pain. Short-term opioid use
older misused these products in the previous year (SAMHSA, 2019). According to NIDA’s research report “Misuse of Prescription Drugs” (2020m), three classes of prescription drugs are most commonly abused: 1. Opioids or painkillers. 2. Central nervous system depressants or tranquillizers. 3. Stimulants. The problem most often with prescription drug abuse is that the individual does not just take one substance. As dependency increases, more pills or substances are needed to create the same effect. Then, when more usage of various substances does not work to create the desired sensation, the individual may begin mixing substances and adding alcohol or other illegal substances. According to NIDA (2020m), of older patients (ages 57 to 85), more than 80% are taking at least one prescription medication with 50% of patients taking five or more prescription drugs. It is also concerning that more than 29% were prescribed benzodiazepines, 28% were prescribed muscle relaxants, and 8% were prescribed all three medications concurrently, placing them at a significant risk of overdosing (NIDA, 2017). Misuse of prescription opioids is a risk factor for heroin use. People who initiate heroin reported 80% of the time that they misused prescription opioids before heroin use (NIDA, 2017).
under a provider’s cautious supervision rarely leads to addiction or dependence. However, when used long term, opioids may lead to drug abuse and physical dependence or addiction (Table 1).
Table 1: Opiods Generic Name Brand Names
Street Names • Captain Cody • Coties • Lean • Schoolboy • Sizzurp • Humid • Blonde • Blue diamond • Snowflake • Jackpot
Common Forms
Common Ways Taken • Injected • Swallowed (often mixed with soda & flavorings)
Codeine
• Various
• Purple drank • Doors & fours • Loads • Pancakes & syrup • Murder 8 • Tango & cash • TNT • Birria
• Tablet • Capsule • Liquid
Fentanyl
• Actiq • Duragesic • Sublimaze
• Lozenge • Sublingual tablet • Film • Buccal tablet
• Injected • Smoked • Snorted
Hydrocodone or dihydrocodeinone
• Lorcet • Lortab • Norco • Vicodin • Zohydro
• Vike • Veeks • Idiot pills • Scratch • 357s • Lemonade
• Bananas • Dones • Droco • Lorries • Triple V
• Capsule • Liquid • Tablet
• Swallowed • Snorted • Injected
Hydromorphone
• Dilaudid
• D • Dillies
• K4 • Needle candy
• Tablet • Liquid • Suppository
• Injected • Rectal
Meperidine
• Demerol
• Demmies • Painkiller
• Tablet • Liquid
• Swallowed • Snorted • Injected • Swallowed • Injected
Methadone
• Dolophine • Methadose
• Amidone • Fizzies • Biscuits • Jungle Juice
• Maria • Wafer • With MDMA:
• Tablet • Dispersible tablet • Liquid
Chocolate chip cookies
EliteLearning.com/Pharmacy-Technician
Book Code: RPTTX2024
Page 41
Powered by FlippingBook