Barbiturates prescription abuse

Barbiturates, which preceded benzodiazepines as the most commonly abused sedative hypnotics (after ethanol), are now rarely prescribed to outpatients and therefore constitute a less common prescription drug problem than they did in the past. Street sales of barbiturates, however, continue. Management of barbiturate withdrawal and addiction is similar to that of benzodiazepines. 

The most commonly abused prescription drugs are opioids and opiates such as oxycodone and morphine, central nervous system depressants such as barbiturates and benzodiazepines, and stimulants such as dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate. Brand-name painkillers such as Vicodin and OxyContin, depressants such as Valium and Xanax, and stimulants such as Ritalin and Dexedrine are commonly abused (as are some OTC cough remedies). Although helpful and safe when used appropriately, these drugs can cause serious harm when taken in unapproved ways. 

Polydrug use was so widespread by the 1950s that the federal government classified barbiturates and amphetamines as the most abused drugs in the country. The abuse problem grew even though barbiturates were prescription drugs. 

When barbiturates first went on the market during the 1930s, people in the United States did not need a prescription to buy them. Lawmakers soon realized that barbiturates were addictive. Some states adopted laws that banned the sale of nonprescription barbiturates. The federal government took similar action after the Food and Dmg Administration gained regulatory power in 1938. That set the stage for a 40-year battle against barbiturate abuse. 

Schedule IV drugs have a low abuse potential as compared to Schedule m drugs. These substances have an accepted medical use. They could lead to limited psychological or physical dependence, according to the CSA. The Schedule IV barbiturates are barbital (Veronel), mephobarbital (Mebaral), and phenobarbital (Luminal). Five prescription refills are allowed during the six months after the patient received the first prescription. 

The FDA in 1938 realized that amphetamines and barbiturates had a strong potential for misuse and abuse. The federal agency used its new regulatory powers and declared that prescriptions were required for... 

Amphetamine and barbiturate abuse was so widespread that the FDA worked from the 1940s through the 1960s on that problem. The FDA prosecuted doctors and pharmacies, while other federal agencies combatted illegal sales of prescription drugs. 

All barbiturates have the potential to be abused and cause addiction. Different barbiturates are designated as schedule II, III, and IV drugs, which means that all barbiturates require a prescription from a doctor or health care provider and the prescription must contain the doctor s DEA number. Physicians must obtain a special license to get a DEA number in order to prescribe controlled or addictive substances such as barbiturates. Doctors are very cautious about prescribing barbiturates to patients who have a history of drug abuse. 

Prescription regulations for most CNS drugs are based on their abuse liability. The potent opioid analgesics (e.g., morphine, methadone, meperidine, fentanyl) are judged to have the highest potential for abuse, along with CNS stimulants (e.g., amphetamine, cocaine) and short-acting barbiturate (e g., secobarbital). No refills or telephone prescriptions are permissible. 

Possession and supply illegal except by Home Office Licence Drugs of high abuse potential with medicinal use, opiates and major stimulants, for example amfetamines and cocaine Subject to full controlled drug requirements under the law Drugs of lesser abuse potential with medicinal use for example minor stimulants and barbiturates Subject to special prescription requirements, but not other requirements under the law Anabolic steroids and related hormones Most benzodiazepines and zolpidem Subject to minimal control requirements Sale and supply and possession without a prescription for personal use an offence... 

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