PRESCRIPTION Drugs

Opiates
Prescription drugs in the opiate class are prescribed for different levels of pain. The true opiates, codeine and morphine, have been the mainstays for many years, but synthetic opiates like hydrocodone and oxycodone represent a large portion of the pain medications prescribed today. These drugs will often contain additional over the counter medications like acetaminophen (Tylenol®), aspirin, or ibuprofen, to assist in providing pain relief.

Hydrocodone (Vicodin®, Lortab®, Lorcet®)
Hydrocodone is the most prescribed prescription pain reliever in the United States. It also continues to be the most abused prescription drug, often showing up in 40-50% of the prescription drug abuse cases handled by law enforcement agencies.

Typical abusers that law enforcement encounters may be taking 15-20 tablets per day, with some consuming over 40-50 per day. Although this practice is extremely dangerous and illegal, abusers also can consume extraordinarily high levels of the over the counter medications mentioned above, which can negatively affect their liver or stomach.

Prescription drugs can be abused in a variety of ways, but those abusing hydrocodone are almost all taking the drug orally. Street values of hydrocodone can vary across the United States, but usually one pill is worth between $4-$8, depending on the strength, and the supply and demand in the area.

Oxycodone
(Percocet®, Percodan®, Tylox®)
Prescription drugs containing oxycodone are generally prescribed for moderate to severe pain, and have a long history of abuse. The drug can be abused by merely taking it orally, but it is also consumed by drug seekers by injecting it into their bodies. Tylox®, which comes in a red capsule, is oftentimes opened up and the oxycodone is snorted through the nasal passages to achieve the “high”.

High levels of abuse of oxycodone can also occur, with known levels reaching 50-60 pills per day. Street values are similar to that of hydrocodone, reaching $6-$8 per pill on the illicit market.

Oxycodone Extended Release (OxyContin®)
OxyContin® is an extended release oxycodone product prescribed primarily for chronic pain, and contain no over the counter medications, unlike the oxycodone described above. In 2004, Teva Pharmaceuticals also introduced an 80mg. generic oxycodone extended release product that is already experiencing abuse. These products are designed to be taken every 12 hours for pain, as they release the concentrated oxycodone over the course of the day or night.

Those abusing these drugs want an immediate “high”, and will take steps to bypass the extended release of the tablets. This is accomplished by simply chewing the tablets and swallowing, breaking them down for injection, or crushing the tablet and snort the contents through a straw or similar device. Typical oxycodone extended release abusers tend to be long-time illicit substance abusers.