Abuse of OTC Drugs

Over the counter drugs are readily available to the general public. But what happens when people abuse these drugs? According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, the number of people abusing prescription and OTC drugs jumped from 4.7 million to 6.9 million between 2005 and 2007. The FDA has deemed OTC drugs safe if used as directed. However, it seems clear that not everyone is following the directions.

Cause

• A big reason OTC drug abuse is prevalent is because these drugs are accessible and relatively cheap. Many people already have OTC drugs in their medicine cabinets or cupboards. There is no need to hide the drugs for fear of raising suspicions or getting arrested. Illegal drugs, which can produce the same effect as OTC drugs, are more dangerous to obtain and typically more costly.

Teens

• According to a survey done by the University of Michigan in 2007, six percent of high-schoolers admitted using OTC drugs to get high within the preceding year. That is one in every 16 among the high school population. The real danger for teens and other abusers of these drugs lies in mixing them with other substances. Abusers often mix OTC medicines with alcohol, street drugs or prescription drugs (also frequently found in the home). These mixtures sometimes prove deadly.

Hallucinogens

• DXM, or dextromethorphan, is the active ingredient in many cough suppressants and is among the drugs commonly abused. Taking more than the recommended dosage of products containing this drug can produce the same effects as PCP (angel dust) or Ketamine (animal tranquilizer), according to the organization Above the Influence. These drugs cause hallucinations when abused. They can potentially result in hypoxic brain damage, which prevents oxygen from getting to the brain. Nausea, vomiting, headache, and loss of consciousness are among the other possible consequences. Medicines typically used for motion sickness are another type of OTC drug that, if abused, can cause hallucinations, trigger extreme drowsiness, and even result in death.

Diuretics

• Diuretics include diet pills and laxatives. People may take too many of these in an attempt to lose weight quickly. This can lead them addiction. Because many of these pills contain ephedrine and caffeine, they can also produce serious or lethal effects if used excessively. While caffeine and other ingredients of diet pills are perfectly safe if taken in moderation or as directed, abusing them causes the nervous system to become overstimulated, according to an organization called The Anti-Drug.

Sleep Aids

• When abused over a period of time, drugs designed to help people sleep can trigger narcolepsy, a neurological disorder in which normal sleep cycles are profoundly disrupted and people may find themselves abruptly falling asleep. This can happen while driving a vehicle or performing active tasks, leading to extremely dangerous situations.