4 Dangerous OTC Medications
Do you know anything about these 4 dangerous OTC medications and how they can affect your system in the long run?
OTC medications is the shorter term for a certain type of medication available over the counter at pharmacies, supermarkets and stores all around the globe. This particular characteristic makes it highly economic, of easy access and useful to treat a wide number of ailments without needing a formal medical prescription from your doctor.
Unfortunately, the common availability of these medications, has led to an increase on OTC drug abuse, one that has been spreading like wildfire within the last decade, especially amongst teenagers and young adults.
Statistics show that this part of the population uses over the counter drugs to get high, in bigger proportions than any other. This may be - in part - because of how easy it is to obtain these drugs and combine it with other products.
OTC medications are combined with other available products to extend the high, and to cause mind-altering effects. This means that, people that use over the counter drugs to get high, tend to mix and match these drugs in order to experience a disconnection from real life, sort of an alternate-reality sensation.
There are 4 distinctive types of medications that have contributed to the spike of OTC drug abuse. Abusers use the following over the counter drugs to get high and - more often than not - also combine them with alcohol to prolong its effects.
- Cold Medication (Pseudoephedrine)
- Cough Medication (Dextromethorphan or DMX)
- Pain Relievers (Acetaminophen)
- Motion Sickness Pills (Dimenhydrinate)
While using these OTC medications may seem harmless - especially if you buy them with a legit purpose - truth is, abusers have discovered the many side effects these can cause. OTC drug abuse using these medications can be identified by the following symptoms:
- Cold Medication (Pseudoephedrine): provokes a potent feeing of euphoria and hyperactivity; this drug is commonly used to illegally manufacture other drugs like Methamphetamine.
- Cough Medication (Dextromethorphan or DMX): the most commonly abused OTC medication, this one causes an intense, mind-altering high with hallucinations.
- Pain Relievers (Acetaminophen): this type of medication is mostly used for the numbing and sedative effects it has.
- Motion Sickness Pills (Dimenhydrinate): it's believed that this type of OTC has the most potent psychedelic properties of the group.
As with any other substance abuse issue, there are major risks that come with using over the counter drugs to get high. Some of the effects can have serious consequences, many of which have the risk of being irreversible, or even being lethal.
These side effects can include:
- Irregular heart beat
- Respiratory depression
- Impaired motor function
- Muscle spasms
- Hypoxic brain damage
- Cardiac arrest
In addition to these side effects, OTC drug abuse can be lethal, especially when these drugs are combined with other substances. In many cases, using OTC medications with alcohol, or even in combination with certain prescription drugs, can lead to heart failure, brain damage, stroke, heart attack and kidney failure.
When trying to stop an OTC drug abuse issue, a person will need the guidance and support of addiction experts to be able to recover effectively.
A comprehensive rehabilitation treatment program will be able to get you through detoxification, rehab therapy, teach you the skills and mechanisms you need to be able to prevent relapse, and will also assist you in developing your after care plan.
If someone you know is using over the counter drugs to get high, it's time to reach out and get them the help they need to regain control of their life.
If you are trying to find a facility that offers free substance abuse help, we can help you find one. Call us right now at (877) 804-1531 to find the treatment center that best matches your needs.
Sources:
https://medlineplus.gov/overthecountermedicines.html
https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/prescription-over-counter-medications