GENERATION R X PREVENTING THE MISUSE AND ABUSE OF PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS

A GROWING PUBLIC HEALTH PROBLEM What Who Why What can you do?

WHAT WHAT IS ABUSE? WHAT MEDICATIONS ARE ABUSED?

WHAT DO YOU THINK? Prescription drug abuse Prescription drug misuse

PRESCRIPTION DRUG ABUSE AND MISUSE Taking a drug that was not prescribed for you Taking more of a drug than you’re supposed to Taking a drug for a reason other than you’re supposed to

WHAT DO YOU THINK? Commonly abused medications Commonly abused medication classes

WHAT HAPPENS?

COMMONLY ABUSED PRESCRIPTION DRUGS Opioid analgesics (painkillers) Examples: Oxycontin, Oxycodone, Morphine, Vicodin Stimulants Examples: Ritalin, Adderall Sedatives Examples: Valium, Xanax, Ambien, Lunesta Dextromethorphan (cough medicine) Examples: Robitussin, NyQuil, Delsym OTC

OPIOIDS Effects on breathing center in brain Respiratory depression Respiratory=lungs / breathing Depression=slowing Slow down or stop breathing Unconsciousness Constipation Nausea / Vomiting Convulsions

SEDATIVES (BENZODIAZEPINES) Sedation Muscle relaxation Respiratory Depression Like opioids But also with muscle relaxation Cardiac problems (if already present) Cardiac = heart Dependence

STIMULANTS Insomnia Anxiety / Panic Irritability Dependence Tremors Cerebral hemorrhage due to increase Blood Pressure Cognitive Impairment Cognitive = Mental function/ normal thought process Impairment = destroy / decrease

DEXTROMETHORPHAN Same effects as Opioids Nausea / Vomiting Dizziness Constipation

RX ABUSE AND ALCOHOL Effects of Drugs alone are bad Effects of Drugs WITH Alcohol are DEADLY Additive Effects Depressed Respiration Sedation Coma

WHO WHO ABUSES PRESCRIPTION DRUGS?

WHAT DO YOU THINK? About how many Americans (age 12 or older) abused a prescription medication in one year? A. 70,000 B. 700,000 C. 7 million D. 70 million

DEMOGRAPHICS Prescription drug misuse falls into every age range, among both men and women, and across all socioeconomic lines It’s not just young people: 1 in 4 adults 50 and over abuses a psychoactive medication (a drug with effects in the brain) Prescription drug abuse affects every state in the US, from small towns to big cities

WHY WHY IS THE POTENTIAL FOR PRESCRIPTION DRUG ABUSE SO HIGH?

WHAT DO YOU THINK? Approximately how many prescriptions are purchased in the US each year? A. 3.9 million B million C. 1.3 billion D. 3.9 billion E. 7 billion Million prescribed for Pain Medications alone!

ABUSE & TEENS Why do teens abuse prescription drugs? A. To get high B. To relieve pain C. To improve grades D. To fit in E. All of the above

CONSEQUENCES - STIMULANTS Stimulant use vs Abuse Why is it bad to use stimulants to study? What consequences could result?

STATISTICS: STIMULANTS Research has shown that stimulants do not improve academic performance in teens that don’t have ADHD No evidence that these drugs improve grades even in teens that do have ADHD

STATISTICS: STIMULANTS The typical person who abuses prescription stimulants: On average has lower grades than those who don’t Is more likely to drink alcohol heavily and use other illicit drugs. The bottom line: while stimulants might help you focus, they won’t help you learn better, and they won’t improve your grades

PRESCRIPTION FOR DANGER Side effects of prescription medications can be shockingly similar to illicit drugs In situations of abuse, prescription medications are often taken in alternate ways, like crushing or snorting Crushing opioids increases the chance of overdose Extra ingredients from crushed stimulants can block small blood vessels

WHAT DO YOU THINK? When justifying their prescription drug abuse, what reasons do teens give? A. Prescription drugs can’t be dangerous B. Prescription drugs can’t be addictive C. It’s legal D. All of the above

THE TRUTH ABOUT PRESCRIPTION DRUGS Prescription drug abuse is dangerous! Prescription drugs can be addictive Prescription drug use is illegal

AARON’S STORY AARON’S STORY THE MEDICINE ABUSE PROJECT

Who matters in your life? Who can you go to? Who cares about YOU?

DON’T FORGET Prescription drug addiction can happen to you Prescription drug abuse is extremely dangerous Don’t only think about yourself – think about the people that you care about

WHAT CAN I DO? HOW CAN I PREVENT OR HELP THE SITUATION?

PREVENTION What can you do to prevent prescription drug abuse?

MEDICATION DISPOSAL Old, expired, or unused medications at home are a risk for abuse – removing them from your home is extremely important! Responsible disposal – don’t flush medications!

MEDICATION DISPOSAL Prevent abuse 70% of those reporting abuse get drugs from homes of family or friends Prevent poisonings Ensure medications used are effective Protect environment

WHO CAN HELP? Pharmacists Doctors YOU! Learn & SHARE what you know Dispose old medications properly Notice signs

SUMMARY Prescription drugs are not safe alternatives to illicit drugs Addiction can occur just as easily with prescription drugs as it does with illicit drugs Possessing a prescription drug without a prescription is illegal and a felony offense (punishable by jail time, and on your permanent record) Responsibly removing old and expired medications from your house is very important in fighting this public health issue!

MEDICATION CASE STUDY ACTIVITY 5-10 minutes 4 small groups Read case Brainstorm answers to questions Present case to large group

MEDICATION CLASS: BENZODIAZEPINES Medical uses: anti-anxiety, anti-convulsant, anti-panic, sedative Side effects: dependence (drug is needed to function normally), sedation (sleepiness), memory impairment, and cognitive difficulties (trouble thinking) Patient situation: JP is a 17 year old who works for a sub shop delivering orders in his car. He is a good student and is on the swim team. He is planning a few college visits in the upcoming weeks.

MEDICATION CLASS: STIMULANTS Medical uses: attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), narcolepsy Side effects: agitation, insomnia (difficulty sleeping), tachycardia (increased heart rate) Patient situation: EZ is a 17 year old with an underlying heart condition that is undiagnosed (she is unaware of it). She is taking AP Biology and hopes to go to medical school.

MEDICATION CLASS: OPIOID ANALGESICS Medical uses: postoperative moderate to severe pain Side effects: tolerance (higher doses needed with continued use for the same effect), dependence, respiratory depression (trouble breathing), constipation, psychotic events Patient situation: RC is an 18 year old girl who just moved to the area. She is planning to go to a house party this evening after being invited by a friend she met in one of her classes.

MEDICATION CLASS: DEXTROMETHORPHAN COUGH SUPPRESSANTS Medical uses: antitussive (anti-cough) Side effects: tolerance, dependence, respiratory depression, constipation, psychotic events Patient situation: DC is a 16 year old boy attending a high school dance with a girl he really likes. He just recently got up the nerve to ask her out. He has a history of depression and is taking an antidepressant.

QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS KAYLA HUEBNER : Faculty Advisor: Orly Vardeny, PharmD, MS Co-Chairs: Daniel Brucbauer Brianna Jacques