drugs

[Stimulant] Psychostimulants/stimulants

Drugs that increase alertness and central nervous system activity; many increase dopamine and/or norepinephrine signaling.

[Stimulant] Amphetamine and methamphetamine

Stimulants that increase dopamine and norepinephrine signaling, mainly by promoting their release and affecting reuptake. Effects can include increased alertness, energy, and heart rate.

[Stimulant] Amphetamine-dextroamphetamine (Adderall)

A prescription mixture of amphetamine salts that increases dopamine and norepinephrine signaling; used to treat ADHD and narcolepsy.

[Stimulant] Methylphenidate (Ritalin)

A prescription stimulant that blocks dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake transporters, increasing their levels between neurons; used to treat ADHD and narcolepsy.

[Stimulant] Cocaine

A stimulant that blocks dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin reuptake transporters. It can cause euphoria and increased energy; it also has local anesthetic effects.

[Stimulant] Nicotine

A stimulant in tobacco and nicotine products. It activates nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, which can increase dopamine release and reinforce continued use.

[Stimulant] Caffeine

A stimulant found in coffee, tea, and other products. It blocks adenosine receptors, reducing adenosine’s usual calming effect and promoting alertness.

[Depressant] Barbiturates

Depressant drugs that enhance GABA-A receptor activity, increasing the time chloride channels stay open. They can cause sedation and, at high doses, dangerously slow breathing.

[Depressant] Thiopental (Pentothal)

An ultra-short-acting barbiturate formerly used to induce anesthesia.

[Depressant] Methohexital (Brevital)

An ultra-short-acting barbiturate used for anesthesia.

[Depressant] Secobarbital (Seconal)

A short-acting barbiturate with sedative effects.

[Depressant] Pentobarbital (Nembutal)

A short-acting barbiturate with sedative and anesthetic effects.

[Depressant] Phenobarbital (Luminal)

A long-acting barbiturate used mainly to control seizures.

[Depressant] Mephobarbital (Mebaral)

A longer-acting barbiturate used to control seizures.

[Depressant] Benzodiazepines

Depressants that enhance GABA-A activity by increasing how often its chloride channel opens. They can reduce anxiety, cause sedation, relax muscles, and prevent seizures.

[Depressant] Alprazolam (Xanax)

An intermediate-acting benzodiazepine commonly used for anxiety and panic symptoms.

[Depressant] Clonazepam (Klonopin)

An intermediate-to-long-acting benzodiazepine used for seizure disorders and panic disorder.

[Depressant] Oxazepam (Serax)

A relatively short-acting benzodiazepine used for anxiety and sometimes alcohol withdrawal.

[Depressant] Midazolam (Versed)

A short-acting benzodiazepine used for procedural sedation and anesthesia.

[Depressant] Chlordiazepoxide (Librium)

A long-acting benzodiazepine used for anxiety and alcohol withdrawal.

[Depressant] Diazepam (Valium)

A long-acting benzodiazepine used for anxiety, muscle spasms, seizures, and alcohol withdrawal.

[Depressant] Zolpidem (Ambien)

A non-benzodiazepine sleep medicine (“Z-drug”) that acts at a GABA-A receptor site to promote sleep, especially sleep onset.

[Opioid] Opioids

Drugs that activate opioid receptors to reduce pain signaling. They can also cause euphoria, sedation, constipation, dependence, and dangerously slowed breathing.

[Opioid] Naturally occurring opioids

Opioids derived from the opium poppy; examples include morphine and codeine.

[Opioid] Morphine

A naturally occurring opioid used to relieve moderate-to-severe pain.

[Opioid] Codeine

A naturally occurring opioid used for pain and, in some formulations, cough. The body converts some codeine into morphine.

[Opioid] Semi-synthetic opioids

Opioids chemically made from naturally occurring opioids; examples include buprenorphine, heroin, hydrocodone, oxycodone, and hydromorphone.

[Opioid] Buprenorphine (Subutex)

A partial opioid-receptor agonist used to treat opioid use disorder and, in some forms, pain. It can ease cravings and withdrawal.

[Opioid] Heroin

A semi-synthetic opioid made from morphine. It is a Schedule I controlled substance in the United States.

[Opioid] Hydrocodone (Vicodin)

A semi-synthetic opioid used to relieve pain; Vicodin is a combination product that also contains acetaminophen.

[Opioid] Oxycodone (OxyContin)

A semi-synthetic opioid used to relieve pain. OxyContin is an extended-release brand.

[Opioid] Hydromorphone (Dilaudid)

A semi-synthetic opioid used to relieve severe pain.

[Opioid] Synthetic opioids

Opioids made in a laboratory rather than directly from opium-poppy compounds; examples include fentanyl and methadone.

[Opioid] Fentanyl

A potent synthetic opioid used medically for pain and anesthesia; it can dangerously suppress breathing.

[Opioid] Methadone

A long-acting synthetic opioid used to treat pain and opioid use disorder. For opioid use disorder, it can reduce withdrawal and cravings.

[Treatment medication] Disulfiram (Antabuse)

A medication used to support treatment for alcohol use disorder. Drinking alcohol while taking it can cause unpleasant effects, which can discourage drinking.

[Treatment medication] Varenicline (Chantix)

A smoking-cessation medication that partially activates nicotine receptors while reducing nicotine’s rewarding effects, helping lower cravings and withdrawal.

[Treatment medication] Naloxone (Narcan)

An opioid-receptor blocker that can rapidly reverse an opioid overdose. It is an emergency rescue medication; it does not treat opioid addiction itself.