By Nicholas Chadi, Healthychildren.org, American Academy of Pediatrics, November 18, 2024
At some point, most families use prescription medications for specific medical needs. Everyday examples might include meds for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), pain relief, anxiety or sleep troubles.
When used for the medical conditions they’re meant to treat, and taken as prescribed, these drugs are generally safe. But every year, hospitals and medical offices see thousands of young patients who take controlled prescription medications for other reasons or not as prescribed—sometimes with deadly results.
Prescription medications most commonly used nonmedically
Nonmedical use of prescription medications can start at any age. However, it is seen more often in young people from middle school through young adulthood. The medications usually involved are:
- Stimulants, including ADHD medicines prescribed to help with energy and focus
- Sedatives, including prescriptions for anxiety or sleep
- Pain relievers, especially opioids
Young people who use prescription medications nonmedically may assume they are safe. But prescriptions may have strong ingredients that can cause harm when they’re not taken exactly as directed. Worse yet, what might look like a prescription medicine—right down to the pharmacy bottle and printed label—could be a copycat drug laced with something more dangerous, such as fentanyl. (Read more)
Nicholas Chadi MD MPH 
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