Prescriptions, Opioids, and Fake Pills

Prescriptions

Prescription drug misuse is when someone takes a medication the wrong way.

• Taking too much, or too often, or too long.
• Using it for something it wasn’t prescribed for ― the feeling it gives you, to relieve tension, sleep, or be alert or study.
• Taking a medication that wasn’t prescribed to you ― getting it from a family member or friend.
• Taking it in a way other than directed (such as crushing pills).
• Taking it with alcohol or other drugs.

Common prescriptions ― which can be misused and/or lead to addiction ― include:

• Pain relievers ― such as opioids
• Stimulants ― such as ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) medication
• Sedatives and Tranquilizers ― for anxiety or sleep

For pain, know your options. Ask your doctor:

• Are you recommending a medication?
  • If so, is it an opioid?
  • What other options do I have (non-opioid medications, physical therapy, alternative therapies, self-care, or high-tech treatments)?
• How do I safely stop taking my medication? 
• What should I expect of the medication (will it decrease pain, rather than eliminate pain)?
• What should I do if my pain treatment isn’t working?

Opioids

Opioid overdose is life-threatening. Overdose can happen, even with a prescription opioid. Naloxone can reverse an opioid overdose.

Learn about opioid overdose (how to prevent it, how to recognize it, how to treat it) and how to use naloxone.

Fake Pills

Criminal drug networks are mass-producing fake prescription pills (PDF | 5.6 MB) ― and marketing them as the real thing. They’re often sold on mainstream social media sites and websites. So they’re available to anyone ― including kids.

Many fake pills look just like real medications, such as:

• Oxycodone (Oxycontin®, Percocet®)
• Hydrocodone (Vicodin®)
• Alprazolam (Xanax®)
• Stimulants like amphetamines (Adderall®)

Fake pills often contain fentanyl ― and can be deadly:

• DEA lab tests found that 6 out of every 10 pills with fentanyl contain a potentially lethal dose of fentanyl. A lethal dose of fentanyl (2 milligrams) – is equal in size to about 10-15 grains of table salt.
• Animal tranquilizers (even more potent than fentanyl) have also been found in fake prescription pills and illicit drugs.

Your medications should:

• Come from a licensed, accredited medical professional.
• Be prescribed to you ― not to someone else.
• Be dispensed by a licensed pharmacist at a pharmacy.

Resources

Individuals and Families

• One Pill Can Kill
• Poison Pill ID: Welcome to Pill ID
• Non-Opioid Treatment
• Non-Opioid Therapies
• Managing Pain With Medications After Orthopaedic Surgery
• Non-Opioid Treatment for Chronic Pain
• Healthy Pregnancy, Healthy Baby
• What Are Opioids?
• Opioids: Information for Patients
• Opioids
• Heroin
• Prescription Drug Take-Back Day

Parents and Caregivers

• Talking With Your Child About Opioids
• Talking with Your Teen About Opioids
• Talking to Your Kids About Prescription Drug Abuse: Not Worth the Risk

Teens

• Prescription Drugs: They Can Help But Also Hurt
• Tips for Teens: Opioids. (Available in Spanish)
• FentAlert Challenge Winners

Community Members and Practitioners

• HHS Overdose Prevention Strategy
• Harm Reduction
• Harm Reduction Framework
• Overdose Prevention and Response Toolkit (Available in Spanish)
• CDC Clinical Practice Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Pain
• Providers Clinical Support System

Addiction Treatment

• TIP 63: Medications for Opioid Use Disorder
• Treating Opioid Use Disorder During Pregnancy
• Clinical Guidance for Treating Pregnant and Parenting Women with Opioid Use Disorder and Their Infants
• Use of Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder in Criminal Justice Settings
• Medications and Counseling
• The Facts about Buprenorphine for Treatment of Opioid Addiction
• Pregnancy Planning for Women Being Treated for Opioid Use Disorder
• Pain Management Best Practices Inter-Agency Force Report

Find more resources on prescription and over-the-counter drugs (and opioids) on the SAMHSA Store.