reduced pain and anxiety; feeling of well-being; lowered inhibitions; slowed

pulse and breathing; lowered blood pressure; poor concentration / confusion,

fatigue; impaired coordination, memory, judgment; respiratory depression and

arrest, addiction

Also, for barbiturates—sedation, drowsiness / depression, unusual excitement,

fever, irritability, poor judgment, slurred speech, dizziness

for benzodiazepines—sedation, drowsiness / dizziness

for flunitrazepam—visual and gastrointestinal disturbances, urinary retention,

memory loss for the time under the drug’s effects

increased heart rate and blood pressure, impaired motor function /memory

loss; numbness; nausea / vomiting

Also, for ketamine—at high doses, delirium, depression, respiratory 

depression and arrest

pain relief, euphoria, drowsiness /respiratory depression and arrest, nausea,

confusion, constipation, sedation, unconsciousness, coma, tolerance, addiction

Also, for codeine—less analgesia, sedation, and respiratory depression than

morphine

increased heart rate, blood pressure, metabolism; feelings of exhilaration,

energy, increased mental alertness /rapid or irregular heart beat; reduced

appetite, weight loss, heart failure

Also, for amphetamines—rapid breathing; hallucinations/ tremor, loss of 

coordination; irritability, anxiousness, restlessness, delirium, panic, paranoia,

impulsive behavior, aggressiveness, tolerance, addiction

for cocaine—increased temperature / chest pain, respiratory failure, nausea,

abdominal pain, strokes, seizures, headaches, malnutrition

for methamphetamine—aggression, violence, psychotic behavior/memory

loss, cardiac and neurological damage; impaired memory and learning, 

tolerance, addiction

for methylphenidate—increase or decrease in blood pressure, psychotic

episodes / digestive problems, loss of appetite, weight loss

no intoxication effects / hypertension, blood clotting and cholesterol changes,

liver cysts and cancer, kidney cancer, hostility and aggression, acne; adolescents, premature stoppage of growth; in males, prostate cancer, reduced

sperm production, shrunken testicles, breast enlargement; in females, menstrual irregularities, development of beard and other masculine characteristics

Substances: DEA Schedule*/

Category and Name Examples of Commercial and Street Names How Administered** Intoxication Effects / Potential Health Consequences

*Schedule I and II drugs have a high potential for abuse. They require greater storage security and have a quota on manufacturing, among other restrictions. Schedule I drugs are available for research only and have no approved medical use; Schedule II drugs 

are available only by prescription (unrefillable) and require a form for ordering. Schedule III and IV drugs are available by prescription, may have five refills in 6 months, and may be ordered orally. Most Schedule V drugs are available over the counter.

**Taking drugs by injection can increase the risk of infection through needle contamination with staphylococci, HIV, hepatitis, and other organisms.

***Associated with sexual assaults. +

Not available by prescription in U.S. Printed September 2002, Revised April 2005

Depressants

barbiturates Amytal, Nembutal, Seconal, Phenobarbital; barbs, reds, red birds, phennies, tooies, II, III, V/injected, swallowed

yellows, yellow jackets

benzodiazepines (other Ativan, Halcion, Librium, Valium, Xanax; candy, downers, sleeping pills, tranks IV/swallowed

than flunitrazepam)

flunitrazepam***+ Rohypnol; forget-me pill, Mexican Valium, R2, Roche, roofies, roofinol, rope, rophies IV/swallowed, snorted

Dissociative Anesthetics

ketamine Ketalar SV; cat Valium, K, Special K, vitamin K III/injected, snorted, smoked

Opioids and Morphine Derivatives

codeine Empirin with Codeine, Fiorinal with Codeine, Robitussin A-C, Tylenol with Codeine; Captain II, III, IV/injected, swallowed

Cody, Cody, schoolboy; (with glutethimide) doors & fours, loads, pancakes and syrup

fentanyl Actiq, Duragesic, Sublimaze; Apache, China girl, China white, dance fever, friend, goodfella, II/injected, smoked, snorted

jackpot, murder 8, TNT, Tango and Cash

morphine Roxanol, Duramorph; M, Miss Emma, monkey, white stuff II, III/injected, swallowed, smoked

opium laudanum, paregoric; big O, black stuff, block, gum, hop II, III, V/swallowed, smoked

other opioid pain Tylox, OxyContin, Percodan, Percocet; oxy 80s, oxycotton, oxycet, hillbilly heroin, percs II, III, IV/swallowed, injected,

relievers (oxycodone, Demerol, meperidine hydrochloride; demmies, pain killer suppositories, chewed, crushed, 

meperidine, Dilaudid; juice, dillies snorted

hydromorphone, Vicodin, Lortab, Lorcet; Darvon, Darvocet

hydrocodone, 

propoxyphene)

Stimulants

amphetamines Biphetamine, Dexedrine; bennies, black beauties, crosses, hearts, LA turnaround, speed, II/injected, swallowed, smoked,

truck drivers, uppers snorted

cocaine Cocaine hydrochloride; blow, bump, C, candy, Charlie, coke, crack, flake, rock, snow, toot II/injected, smoked, snorted

methamphetamine Desoxyn; chalk, crank, crystal, fire, glass, go fast, ice, meth, speed II/injected, swallowed, smoked,

snorted

methylphenidate Ritalin; JIF, MPH, R-ball, Skippy, the smart drug, vitamin R II/injected, swallowed, snorted

Other Compounds

anabolic steroids Anadrol, Oxandrin, Durabolin, Depo-Testosterone, Equipoise; roids, juice III/injected, swallowed, applied 

to skin

Selected Prescription Drugs With Potential for Abuse

Visit NIDA at www.drugabuse.gov U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

National Institutes of Health
Facts About Prescription Drug Abuse

Medications can be effective when they are used properly, but some can be addictive and dangerous when misused. This chart 

provides a brief look at some prescribed medications that—when used in ways other than they are prescribed—have the potential 

for abuse and even addiction.

Fortunately, most Americans take their medications responsibly. Addiction to prescription drugs is rare. However, in 2003, approximately

15 million Americans reported using a prescription drug for nonmedical reasons at least once during the year.

Order NIDA publications from 

NCADI: 1-800-729-6686 

or TDD, 1-800-487-4889

More than 6.3 Million Americans 

Reported Current Use of Prescription Drugs 

for Nonmedical Purposes in 2003

Source: Office of Applied Studies, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. 

National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2004.

3.0

2.5

2.0 

1.5 

1.0

0.5

0 Stimulants Sedatives and

Tranquilizers

Pain Relievers

Millions of Americans

Past Month Use of Selected Illicit Drugs 

Among Youths, by Age: 2003

18.0

16.0

14.0

12.0

10.0

8.0

6.0

4.0

2.0

0

Marijuana

Percent Using in Past Month

Psychotherapeutics Hallucinogens

12 or 13

14 or 15

Source: Office of Applied Studies, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. 

National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2004.

What types of prescription drugs are misused 

or abused?

Three types of drugs are misused or abused most often:

■ Opioids—prescribed for pain relief

■ CNS depressants—barbiturates and benzodiazepines

prescribed for anxiety or sleep problems (often referred

to as sedatives or tranquilizers)

■ Stimulants—prescribed for attention-deficit hyperactivity

disorder (ADHD), the sleep disorder narcolepsy, or 

obesity.

How can you help prevent prescription drug misuse 

or abuse?

■ Keep your doctor informed about all medications you

are taking, including over-the-counter medications.

■ Take your medication(s) as prescribed.

■ Read the information your pharmacist provides before

starting to take medications.

■ Ask your doctor or pharmacist about your medication,

especially if you are unsure about its effects.

1.2

1.9

4.7

Inhalants

16 or 17

1.0

7.2

15.6

1.8

4.1

6.1

1.4 1.4 1.0 0.2 1.0

1.9