Easy, legal access to inexpensive over-the- counter (OTC) medicines has contributed to widespread abuse. And because a doctor's prescription is not needed, many mistakenly believe that OTC medicines are safer than prescription medicines and illegal street drugs. But even OTC medicines—including herbals—can cause serious and potentially fatal side effects when abused.
Abuse of OTC medicines is most common among teens between the ages of 13 and 16. They know they can find a cheap "high" right in their family's or friend's medicine cabinet. Young adults have also abused OTC medicines, particularly in combination with other medicines, alcohol, and illegal drugs, which increases the risks of serious side effects. The list that follows includes the top 10 OTC medicines and herbals that are currently abused by teens and young adults in the United States.
One of the greatest difficulties with preventing OTC drug abuse is that few teens and adults realize the danger. Learn more about the risks of OTC drug abuse by visiting the websites below and those listed with the references associated with each drug of abuse. Be sure to share these facts with the teens and young adults in your life. Teens and young adults who learn about the risks of drugs at home are up to 50% less likely to abuse drugs.