Non-controlled and over-the-counter drugs of abuse

  2.5 out of 5 stars Abuse of Medications That Theoretically Are Without Abuse Potential. Reeves RR et al. South Med J 2015 Mar;108:151-157. Abstract This review of noncontrolled prescription and over-the-counter drugs that can be and have been abused for non-medical or recreational purposes is rather sketchy and anecdotal (as the authors admit,) but nevertheless contains some useful information. Classes of drugs discussed include: Cold & Cough products: pseudoephedrine, ephedrine, oxymetazoline, dextromethorphan Anticholinergics: diphenhydramine, benztropine, trihexyphenidyl (Artane) Antipsychotics: quetiapine, olanzapine Antidepressants: tricyclics, bupropion, fluoxetine, venlafaxine Anitconvulsants: pregabalin, gabapentin Muscle relaxants: carisoprodol, cyclobenaprine (Flexeril,) baclofen Among the more interesting take-home lessons from tis paper : bupropion is sometimes abused by nasal insufflation (snorting), thus bypassing first-pass metabolism and enhancing its cocaine-like effect at high doses [as the clip above shows, bupropion is also abused by injection] dextromethorphan in large doses has dissociative and  hallucinogenic effects similar to theses of phencyclidine (PCP) or ketamine gabapentin and quetiapine have been reported to enhance the effects of Suboxone (buprenorphine/naloxone)
Source: The Poison Review - Category: Toxicology Authors: Tags: Medical cough/cold preparations dextromethorphan medication abuse otc over-the-counter Source Type: news