Controlled Drugs Overview

1. Definition of Controlled Drugs

• Substances that blunt the senses.

• Examples include: opium, morphine, melodona, and alcohol.

2. Effects

• Can lead to euphoria, suffering, or coma in large quantities.

• Potential for habituation or addiction with continuous use.

3. Medical Uses

• Primarily used for pain relief, sedation, and promoting sleep.

4. Morphine as a Benchmark

• Standard strong narcotic used in comparison to other opioids.

5. Opioids and Benzodiazepines

• Opioids: Strong narcotics for pain relief (e.g., morphine).

• Benzodiazepines: Highly addictive, used for seizures, anxiety, muscle relaxation, sleep disorders.

  • Common examples: adrasolam, lorazepam, temazepam.

  • Dependency complicates discontinuation.

6. Controlled Drug Regulations

• Control of Availability: Tightly regulated use due to abuse potential.

• Law Enforcement: Concerns about illegal distribution.

• CDSA: The Controlled Drugs and Substances Act governs handling and distribution across Canada.

• Pharmacy Responsibilities: Secure storage, accurate record-keeping, strict re-ordering procedures.

7. Schedules of Controlled Substances

• Eight schedules categorize controlled drugs.

• Most relevant for pharmacy practice: Schedule 1, Schedule 3, Schedule 4, Schedule 5.

8. Patient Responsibilities with Prescriptions

• Disclosure Requirements: Patients must disclose multiple prescriptions within 30 days.

• Monitoring by Government: Validation through health card and OED numbers to prevent misuse.

9. Additional Regulations Under CVSA

• Categories include narcotic control, benzodiazepine regulations, precursor control, and marijuana access.

• Regulations can be modified for community health needs.

10. Summary and Next Steps

• Patient Education: Importance of compliance with prescription regulations.

• Group Activities: Encouraged for deeper understanding of subject matter.