|
Common Over-The-Counter Drugs In DUI / DWI / OUI / OWI Cases
|
|
ASPIRIN
|
|
Street
Name (s)
|
Bayer,
St. Joseph 's, generic aspirin |
|
Scientific
Name
|
salicylate analgesic |
|
Benefits
/ Facts / Risks of Use
|
Fever
reducer, pain reliever, blood thinner. Maximum dose can have the
same effect as 0.05% alcohol in your blood. When consumed prior
to drinking alcohol, or during drinking, this permits the alcohol
to reach your bloodstream at higher impairing levels than if no
aspirin have been taken. The American Heart Association and American
College of Cardiology recommend that heart patients take aspirin
daily (75-325 milligrams) to prevent a second heart attack. Common
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory prescription medications (Vioxx
and Celebrex) can increase with the blood-thinning capabilities
of aspirin or ibuprofen. Some persons cannot take aspirin, due to
ulcers or other stomach maladies that can be exacerbated by this
drug.
|
|
TYLENOL
|
|
Street
Name (s)
|
Tylenol,
generic acetaminophen
|
|
Scientific
Name
|
acetaminophen
|
|
Benefits
/ Facts / Risks of Use
|
Fever
reducer, pain reliever. Can increase blood thinning effect of Warfarin
(Coumadin). This drug is found in hundreds of products around the
world, including many prescribed "combination" drugs used in America
(example: TyloxÒ). Acetaminophen
overdose or misuse results in as many as 70,000 people suffering
liver damage or even death from overdose. Persons with poor liver
function or disease (such as cirrhosis or hepatitis) should never
take this drug without a doctor's approval and periodic liver function
monitoring. It is the leading cause of liver failure, even exceeding
cirrhosis. Acetaminophen is not considered to be an anti-inflammatory
medication (like Ibuprofen or Aspirin), but it can be an effective
pain reliever for many.
|
|
IBUPROFEN
|
|
Street
Name (s)
|
Nurofen,
ACT-3, Brufen, Advil, Motrin, Nuprin
|
|
Scientific
Name
|
Ibuprofen
|
|
Benefits
/ Facts / Risks of Use
|
Fever
reducer, pain reliever, blood thinner. Maximum dose can have
the same effect as 0.05% alcohol in your blood. Common nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory prescription medications (commonly used for arthritis)
(Vioxx and Celebrex) can interfere with the blood-thinning capabilities of
aspirin or ibuprophen. When taken in large doses, has mind
or emotion altering properties, and can be fatal.
|
|
EXCEDRIN
|
|
Street
Name (s)
|
Excedrin
|
|
Scientific
Name
|
aspirin
(salicylate analgesic)+ caffeine
|
|
Benefits
/ Facts / Risks of Use
|
Fever
reducer, pain reliever, blood thinner. Maximum dose can have
the same effect as 0.05% alcohol in your blood. Lab tests
show that migraine-type headaches may respond better to this combination.
|
|
NAPROSYN
|
|
Street
Name (s)
|
Naprosyn,
Aleve
|
|
Scientific
Name
|
naproxen
sodium
|
|
Benefits
/ Facts / Risks of Use
|
>Fever
reducer, pain reliever, blood thinner that has mind or emotion altering
properties when consumed in large doses. A normal, therapeutic
dose can mimic impairment similar to a person at a 0.05% blood alcohol
level.
|
|
ORUDIS
|
|
Street
Name (s)
|
Orudis
|
|
Scientific
Name
|
ketoprofen
|
|
Benefits
/ Facts / Risks of Use
|
Fever
reducer, pain reliever, blood thinner that has mind or emotion altering
properties when consumed in large doses. A normal, theraputic
dose can mimic impairment similar to a person at a 0.05% blood alcohol
level.
|
|
DRAMAMINE
|
|
Street
Name (s)
|
Dramamine
|
|
Scientific
Name
|
dimenhydrinate
(a salt of diphenhydramine
hydrochloride)
|
Benefits / Facts
/ Risks of Use
>*Note that effects
and risks of use are very similar for diphenhydramine (Benadryl)>
|
Anti-emetic, anti-vertigo (anti-nausea, anti-motion sickness). People with a
prostate condition, some types of stomach ulcers, bladder problems,
difficulty urinating, glaucoma, asthma, or abnormal heart rhythms
should not use dimenhydrinate. Because it reduces nausea and vomiting,
dimenhydrinate can hide symptoms of overdose of other medicines
or the symptoms of appendicitis. Taking dimenhydrinate together
with alcoholic beverages, other antihistamines, tranquilizers, or
other nervous-system depressants can result in excessive dizziness,
drowsiness, or other signs of nervous-system depression.
|
|
SUDAFED
|
|
Street
Name (s)
|
Sudafed
|
|
Scientific
Name
|
pseudoephedrine
(ephedrine)alpha-[1-(Methylamino)
ethyl] benzene-methanol
|
|
Benefits
/ Facts / Risks of Use
|
Ephedrine
is an amphetamine-like stimulant that can have dangerous effects
on the nervous system and heart. Several diet drugs and formulas
use this chemical, and reports of heart problems or death are cropping
up.
|
|
NO-DOZ
|
|
Street
Name (s)
|
No-doz,
Vivarin, Enerjets
FACTOID:
Caffeine is used in the treatment of pre-mature babies to assist
their breathing. In medicines, it is used in combination with
ergotamine (for treatment of migraine and cluster headaches) or
with certain pain relievers, such as aspirin or aspirin and acetaminophen.
When used in this way, caffeine may increase the effectiveness of
the other medicines. Caffeine is sometimes used in combination with
an antihistamine to overcome the drowsiness caused by the antihistamine.
|
|
Scientific
Name
|
caffeine
C8H10N4O2
|
|
Benefits
/ Facts / Risks of Use
|
Caffeine
sales are legal and unregulated in the United States. Caffeine
is a stimulant and is sold over the counter in a variety of products
as well as in tablet form. Numerous brewed beverages have
naturally occurring caffeine, including coffee, tea and chocolate.
Soft drink manufacturers add caffeine to their products as a taste
enhancer, and as a "drug"---a stimulant, touted to make a person
more alert. Some soft drinks, such as Mountain DewÒ
and JoltÒ cola, are well known for their EXTRA caffeine. Caffeine is
addictive according to several definitions of 'addiction'. It causes
withdrawal symptoms after cessation of heavy use (most commonly
headaches) and regular users develop tolerance and experience cravings
when ceasing use. Regular users can also become emotionally
and mentally dependent upon their daily caffeine (coffee, soda,
etc). Caffeine can contribute to heart problems in some unhealthy
patients, and can be the cause of a fatal overdose (at 75mg / kg
or ~4500 mg).
|
|
ROBITUSSIN
|
|
Street
Name (s)
|
Robitussin
|
|
Scientific
Name
|
Dextromethorphan
(DMX)
|
|
Benefits
/ Facts / Risks of Use
|
Cough
suppressant. This drug is in the same class as ketamine, PCP, MK-801,
and several other NMDA open channel blockers Synergistic (non-linear,
geometrically increased impairing effect) when combined with alcohol
intake; will affect the intensity and impact of the drug. High doses
can mimic LSD and cause vomiting, loss of judgment, dissociative
amnesia, mild hallucinations, enhanced response to music), and disturbances
in motion. DXM has some stimulant effects. Prolonged abuse of DXM
can and has led to psychosis similar to PCP-induced psychosis.
|