Be Aware of Prescription Drug Abuse

We are excited to initiate this new blog that will appear routinely in Patch. This health blog will come from pharmacy faculty at the California Northstate University College of Pharmacy (CNUCOP), all of whom have pharmacy and advanced PhD or post-graduate residency training. We look forward to providing important information and hearing back from you.

Our first blog concerns prescription drug abuse and misuse. Prescription drug misuse and abuse are becoming every bit as problematic as the use of illicit substances. As mentioned in a recent op-ed in the Sac Bee, many  these meds when altered in some way (eg, melted, pulverized, injected into blood vessels) are as addictive as many illicit drugs and can have at least as harmful effects.  

The reason for their potency lies with their pharmacological benefit. Many of these drugs, such as Fentanyl, OxyContin, Vicodin, Percocet, Valium, Xanax, and Adderall are marketed because of some advantageous therapeutic effect, ranging from pain relief, anxiety reduction, and seizure control. To exert their therapeutic effects, these medications usually work on some aspect of the central nervous system. As such, most anything that impacts the central nervous system usually has the capability of producing adverse effects like hallucinations, stupor, euphoria, and respiratory depression. Their misuse results in tolerance and addiction, both psychological and physical. Even the seemingly “tame” ingredients that are used in formulating these medications can become problematic. For example, persons abusing drugs with acetaminophen (Tylenol) added to them (like Percocet) often will end up taking toxic levels of the acetaminophen, which results in liver damage.

The abused medications often are sold in controlled-release dosage forms, meaning that the contents of the active ingredient are released slowly over an extended period of time, like 24 hours. When crushed or liquefied, the entire dose is immediately active. The problems these medications can cause are multiplied many fold when they are combined with other substances, such as other prescription medications, alcohol, and illicit drugs.  More often than not, this is precisely how they are used (abused).

CNUCOP is working with area law enforcement and local school officials to kick off GenerationRx, a program aimed to curb prescription drug abuse in children and adolescents.  GenerationRx involves doctoral pharmacy students conducting interventions in area middle and high schools to pupils and teachers. These doctoral students are not yet old enough to be seen as parent figures but mature and educated enough to be taken seriously.

Until a GenerationRx program comes to you, be on the lookout for signs that someone you know might be abusing prescription drugs. First, be conscious of the medications you have on hand and be alert for missing doses, particularly when occurring frequently. Be diligent about properly disposing of unused medication by contacting law enforcement or your local pharmacy. Watch for signs of drug abuse among users, including smaller or larger pupils, bloodshot eyes, changes in physical appearance, impaired cognitive function, suspicious behaviors, worsening performance at school or work, personality changes, mood swings, paranoia, and lack of motivation.  It takes a concerted effort and watchful eye among us all to meet this problem head-on.