The Dangers of Prescription Drugs

Prescription drug misuse is when you take prescription medication that was not prescribed to you or in a different amount than described. Although medication is safe when taken as prescribed by a doctor, it can be dangerous when taken for non-medical purposes. It’s important to know the dangers of prescription drug misuse and make sure that you and your loved ones are staying safe. 

There are several different kinds of medication that can be misused, each with its own adverse side effects. Opioids like Oxycontin and Norco are especially dangerous because of their potential for lethal overdose. Opioids can also cause vomiting, mood changes, constipation, nausea, and slowed breathing. Though they are prescribed to treat pain, they can actually increase sensitivity to pain when taken for an extended period of time. It’s important to take opioids with caution and only when prescribed by your doctor.  

Another kind of prescription drug is depressants, like Xanax and Ambien. These can cause seizures, slowed heartbeat and breathing, and death when mixed with other medications. It can be dangerous to drive on depressants as they cause drowsiness and dizziness. Anti-anxiety depressants are safe when taken as prescribed to treat an anxiety disorder, but they can be dangerous when taken to self-medicate undiagnosed anxiety. 

Prescription stimulants are the opposite of depressants and include Adderall and Ritalin. Instead of slowing the body down, they speed the body up. Stimulants can cause insomnia, anxiety, irregular heartbeat, aggression, paranoia, seizures, and heart failure. Students may take these with the intention of helping them complete school assignments. However, studies show that stimulants do not increase learning in people who do not have a diagnosis. 

All prescription medications can be dangerous when taken in the wrong way. Only take medication as prescribed by your doctor and never share your medication with anyone else. Store medication in a secure location so that it can’t be accessed by children. It’s important to stay safe when it comes to prescription medication.