Opioids, or narcotics, are a type of drug that cause pain relief, drowsiness, and in high doses, euphoria. According to the DEA, “Narcotics/opioids come in various forms, including: tablets, capsules, skin patches… liquid form for oral use and injection, suppositories, and lollipops.” Below is a list of the most commonly used opioid medications.
Opioid Medications
Hydrocodone is a commonly prescribed opioid medication.
Opioids are beneficial medications, but they can be dangerous too. “Overdoses of narcotics are not uncommon and can be fatal,” especially when they are being abused, and it is important for anyone taking medications prescribed by their doctor to understand how the drugs may affect their health. The most common opioid medications are listed below along with their brand names, the forms they typically come in, and their DEA schedule (based on the likelihood for abuse with those which are more likely to be abused ranking higher).
Hydrocodone
- Brands: Lorcet, Lortab, Vicodin, Hycodan, Hycet, Ibudone, Liquicet, Zydone, Zutripro, Vicoprofen, Rezira, Reprexain, Norco, Maxidone, TussiCaps, Tussionex
- Forms: “capsule, liquid, tablet” (NIDA)
- Schedule: II
- Hydrocodone is normally prescribed in combination with other medications such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen, chlorpheniramine to better treat pain.
Oxycodone
- Brands: OxyContin, Percocet, Percodan, Oxecta, Roxicodone, Roxicet, Oxycet
- Forms: capsule, tablet, liquid
- Schedule: II
- Oxycodone was abused in large numbers for a long period of time by individuals attempting to get high off the drug. According to CESAR, “Most users will experience mild side effects” when using the drug “under the care of a physician,” but those who abuse it put themselves in extreme danger.
Morphine
- Brands: Duramorph, Roxanol, Avinza, MS Contin, Kadian, RMS Suppository, Astramorph, Infumorph
- Forms: liquid, suppository, capsule, tablet
- Schedule: II and III
- Morphine is often used to treat individuals with severe cases of pain.
Hydromorphone
- Brands: Dilaudid, Exalgo
- Forms: suppository, liquid, tablet
- Schedule: II
- Hydromorphone is also used as a cough suppressant.
Oxymorphone
- Brands: Opana
- Forms: tablet only
- Schedule: II
- Oxymorphone has many street names used by individuals who abuse the drug including: “Blue Heaven, Blues, Mrs. O, New Blues, Octagons, Oranges, Orgasna IR, OM, Pink, Pink Heaven, Pink Lady, Pink O, Stop Signs, and The O Bomb” (DOJ).
Fentanyl
- Brands: Duragesic, Sublimaze, Actiq, Onsolis, Fentora, Abstral, Lazanda, Subsys
- Forms: tablet, sublingual, film, lozenge
- Schedule: II
- Fentanyl is used to treat breakthrough pain in cancer patients and other individuals who take other opioid medications for pain relief (NLM).
Codeine
- Brands: Brontex, Cheracol, Cheratussin, Robitussin, Guiatuss AC, Vanacof, Phenergan, Nalex
- Forms: liquid, tablet, capsule
- Schedule: II, III, IV
- Codeine is used to treat pain but is also prescribed as a syrup combined with promethazine to treat cough. Younger users often abuse this substance without realizing how dangerous it is under the slang terms purple drank, sizzurp, or lean.
Methadone
- Brands: Methadose, Dolophine, Diskets
- Forms: tablet, liquid
- Schedule: II
- Methadone can often be used to treat cases of opioid addiction, but it can still cause euphoria in high doses.
Meperidine
- Brands: Demerol
- Forms: liquid, tablet
- Schedule: II
- Meperidine’s brand name medication Demerol is often called demmies by abusers and those who sell it illegally.
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