Dangers of Prescribed Drugs

One of the contemporary diseases is the abuse of prescribed drugs. Prescription medication is abused by over 6 million individuals in the U.S. However, the method to measure it accurately is still unknown. The amount is not that significant, but the fact that various individuals are suffering from addiction to prescribed medications is.

Negative Effects

Prescription drugs cause negative effects of death, physical dependence, tolerance, and addiction. Therefore, individuals, in taking such medicines, must be aware of these consequences.

Latrogenic is referred to as the term to define the addiction to prescribed medications or those that are used in treatment. Drugs suggested for psychological issues are one of the most communal drugs.

Having a low potential for dependence and abuse, these drugs affect the mind. For instance, lithium salts, anti-depressants, and anti-psychotics. Some with high potential are amphetamines and barbiturates.

The risk of psychotic disorders or seizures is one of the dangers that the withdrawal of barbiturates may lead to. Dangers related to the abuse of methamphetamine are delusions of persecution, loss of reality, and the development of a paranoid kind of psychotic disorder.

Prescribed Drugs

Patients seek help from prescribed drugs to combat obesity, regulate sleeping disorders, reinstate balance, and manage pain. However, they can impose adverse effects if abused. Stimulants, depressants, and opioids are some of the commonly abused prescribed drugs.

To relieve pain, Demerol and Vicodin are some types of drugs. Others are codeine and morphine, known as types of opioids. Pain management, exclusive of negative effects, can take place when opioids are used correctly. However, tolerance can result in case of chronic use.

Addiction and dependence can also be its long-term usage. In the case of stoppage of usage, these drugs can occur in withdrawal. Symptoms may involve vomiting, diarrhea, insomnia, bone and muscle pain, and restlessness. Death due to overdose may also result in the case of those addicted to opioids.

Prescribed CNS

One of the most communal prescribed CNS depressants is barbiturates. For the treatment of sleeping disorders, tension, and anxiety, barbiturates such as Nembutal and Mebaral are prescribed.

All these kinds of depressants produce a calming or drowsy impact. However, tolerance is a result of its usage for a longer period. Withdrawal and physical dependence may also be led by its continued usage. Other prescribed drugs that have dangerous effects are stimulants.

Respiration and heart rate are elevated, blood pressure, energy, and alertness are increased, and stimulants enhance brain activity. For the treatment of depression, hyperactivity disorder, attention deficiency, and narcolepsy, stimulants such as Dexedrine and Ritalin are prescribed.

They also can be used to manage weight in the short term. However, paranoia or feelings of hostility may result due to its high dosage.

In addition to this, an irregular heart rate and high blood temperatures may also result due to abuse of these stimulants.