What Are Prescription Drugs?

A prescription drug is one that is licensed by the government and requires a prescription before it can be obtained. Over-the-counter drugs can be purchased without a prescription. What exactly constitutes a prescription drug is defined in the United States by the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.

These are a set of laws passed by Congress in 1938 naming the Food and Drug Administration as the authority on the safety of food, drugs and cosmetics. Authorization for a prescription is generally given by doctors, dentists, veterinarians, optometrists and other medical personnel. Prescription drugs are packaged with information about the drugs, what they are intended for, side effects, warnings, allergy information and instructions for taking them.

The Prescription Drug Marketing Act of 1987 regulates the safety of prescription drugs. Prescription drugs are also referred to as RX-only drugs. It is not against the law for doctors to prescribe drugs for “off-label” purposes other than those specified on the drug label. The drug companies, however, are prohibited from marketing prescription drugs for off-label uses.

The Online World Of Rx Drugs

Prescription drugs – including Valium, OxyContin and Ritalin - are also available online, with many companies clearly stating their policy that drugs can be obtained without a prescription. With a few clicks of the mouse, buyers can get most anything they want without a prescription including powerful narcotic painkillers, sleeping pills, tranquilizers, mood stabilizers, uppers, weight management drugs and more.

This poses a concern for law enforcement and the government, which is concerned that many consumers aren’t getting what they’re paying for. And worse, some could be receiving potentially dangerous drugs in their place. The online availability of prescription drugs is also a problem because people of all ages can obtain them.

Prescription Drugs And Their Potential Dangers

The generous number of prescriptions written each year has had an impact on the number of cases of misuse, abuse and addiction. Painkillers in particular have the potential of being habit-forming. Drug detox and rehabilitation centers are reporting more people with addictions to narcotic opiates such as Vicodin, OxyContin and Lortab. The number of painkiller overdoses has skyrocketed.

This is due to many factors including patients who engage in pharmacy shopping and so called “pill mills.” Other drugs such as sedatives and central nervous stimulants, including those prescribed for hyperactive children, also have high rates of abuse and misuse. These medications can all be safe when taken at prescribed levels. They can be very dangerous, however, when misused or used in dangerous amounts. Common methods of misuse include crushing, chewing or breaking the pills and ingesting them orally or snorting or injecting them.

Get Help with Opiates Addiction Now

Call us today to discuss how the Waismann Method can free you from your opiate dependency and get your life back.

• Call (310) 205-0808 or (888) 987-HOPE (4673) during business hours. for more information about rapid detox treatment for prescription drug addiction
• After-hours and weekends, please call (310) 927-7155.
• send us a confidential email.