What are prescription drugs used for?

Prescription drugs are designed to treat a specific illness or condition, but they often affect the body in other ways, some of which can be uncomfortable, and in some cases, dangerous. These are called side effects.

What are prescription drugs made of?

These days, medicines come from a variety of sources. Many were developed from substances found in nature, and even today many are extracted from plants. Some medicines are made in labs by mixing together a number of chemicals. Others, like penicillin, are byproducts of organisms such as fungus.

What is the most prescribed drug of all time?

Heart drug Lipitor is the biggest-selling drug of all time. Perhaps no surprise to dedicated pharma-watchers, who know the statin med still racks up blockbuster-level sales despite years of generic competition. It won’t hold that crown for much longer, though.

Who uses prescription drugs the most?

Prescription drug use increased with age, from 18.0% of children under age 12 years to 85.0% of adults aged 60 and over. Prescription drug use was highest among non-Hispanic white persons followed by non-Hispanic black persons, and lowest among non-Hispanic Asian and Hispanic persons.

What are the 4 types of prescription drugs?

The most commonly used prescription drugs fall into three classes:

1. Opioids.
2. Central Nervous System (CNS) Depressants.
3. Stimulants.

What are the worst medications?

The Top 15 Most Dangerous Drugs

1. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) Common names for Acetaminophen include Tylenol, Mapap, and Feverall.
2. Alcohol. Alcohol includes all types of beer, wine, and malt liquor.
3. Benzodiazepines.
4. Anticoagulants.
5. Antidepressants.
6. Anti-Hypertensives.
7. Bromocriptine.
8. Clarithromycin.

What is the most prescribed medication in the US?

Top 10 Drugs Prescribed in the U.S.

• Lisinopril (Generic for Prinivil or Zestril)
• Levothyroxine (generic for Synthroid)
• Azithromycin (generic for Zithromax, Z-PAK)
• Metformin (generic for Glucophage)
• Lipitor (atorvastatin)
• Amlodipine (generic for Norvasc)
• Amoxicillin.
• Hydrochlorothiazide.

Who is most at risk for prescription drug abuse?

Misuse of prescription drugs is highest among young adults ages 18 to 25, with 14.4 percent reporting nonmedical use in the past year. Among youth ages 12 to 17, 4.9 percent reported past-year nonmedical use of prescription medications.

What are the dangers of prescription drugs?

The dangers of prescription drugs like Adderall and Ritalin can lead to dangerously high body temperature, irregular heartbeat, and paranoia. Abusing sedatives can cause dangerous effects like shallow breathing, disorientation, and long-lasting learning problems.

Are prescription drugs safer than street drugs?

There may also be a perception, especially among younger people, that prescription drugs are safer than illegal street drugs. Most people don’t lock up their prescription medications, nor do they discard them when they are no longer needed for their intended use, making them vulnerable to theft or misuse.

What do prescription drugs do to the body?

Just like prescription medications can damage the brain, heart and liver, so can the drugs damage your immune system. Many times this effect is caused by the consequences of drug use, such as exhaustion or lack of food, which can lower a person’s defense system.

Which are prescription drugs do Americans abuse most?

Most abused prescription drugs fall under three categories: Opioids-Painkillers like Vicodin™, OxyContin™, or codeine Depressants- (Benzodiazepines) used to relieve anxiety or help someone sleep, like Valium™ or Xanax™ Stimulants-Used for treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), like Adderall™ or Ritalin™