Understanding Prescription Drug Abuse and Its Effects

Prescription Drug Abuse

Inappropriate use of medications without prescription.

Commonly Abused Medications

Includes opioids, CNS depressants, and stimulants.

Benzodiazepines

Class of drugs used for anxiety and sedation.

Barbiturates

Sedative drugs replaced by benzodiazepines.

Opioids

Pain-relieving medications often misused.

CNS Depressants

Drugs that slow down brain activity.

Stimulants

Drugs that increase alertness and energy.

Anxiety Disorder

Condition affecting 1 in 4 Americans.

Chlordiazepoxide

First benzodiazepine discovered in 1957.

Librium

First benzodiazepine introduced for clinical use.

Diazepam

Commonly known as Valium, used for anxiety.

Temazepam

Benzodiazepine used primarily for insomnia.

Rohypnol

Flunitrazepam, a potent benzodiazepine.

Pharmacokinetics

Study of drug absorption and metabolism.

Half-life

Time taken for drug concentration to halve.

Ultra-short-acting Barbiturates

Induce anesthesia within seconds after administration.

Short-acting Barbiturates

Effective as sedatives in under one hour.

Long-acting Barbiturates

Used as anticonvulsants with prolonged effects.

Toxicity of Antidepressants

First-generation antidepressants have significant toxicity.

Tricyclic Antidepressants

First-generation drugs with known overdose risks.

Drug Interactions

Can lead to toxic effects with multiple drugs.

Dille-Koppanyi Test

Presumptive test for barbiturates.

Zimmerman Test

Presumptive test for benzodiazepines.

GC-MS

Confirmatory analysis method for drug testing.

HPLC

Quantification method for drug concentration.

Postmortem Analysis

Investigates drug involvement in deaths.

Absorption Rate

Varies by benzodiazepine, affects onset of action.

Peak Blood Levels

Time to reach maximum concentration in blood.

CNS Depression

Slowed brain activity leading to sedation.

Overdose Effects

Can lead to severe sedation or death.