There are five main schedules into which drugs are categorized. They include schedules I, II, III, IV, and V. They are classified based on the drugs acceptability to be used for medical purposes and on the potentiality of abusing those ("Drug Schedules," n.d). The scheduling is founded in the possible rates of the drugs being abused. The schedule I drugs have the highest potential of abuse while Schedule V drugs have the least potential. This essay will discuss a drug selected from each of the five schedules, analyzing the effects of the drug in the body and its interaction with other drugs.
Schedule I – Cannabis
Cannabis, like other schedule I drugs, is not accepted for medical use currently and has a high potential of being abused. Cannabis has several effects on the human body, more so, the brain. As stated in "Cannabis: the facts" (2014), cannabis affects the brain and the short term or immediate effects include making one feel relaxed, talkative, and feeling hungry. The effects vary from person to person. A long-term use of cannabis may lead to the destruction of lungs and brain damage leading to mental illness. The smoke from cannabis affects the lungs causing respiratory illnesses. Cannabis also has carcinogenic compounds that are likely to cause lung cancer when used for a long time. Mentally, the long-term use of cannabis causes psychotic problems resulting in frequent hallucinations and delusions ("Marijuana (Cannabis Sativa)," n.d).
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
Cannabis users exhibit a number of dependence aspects. The most common ones include the urge to use more and more cannabis as time goes by. The users also tend to want to use larger amounts of the drug so as to get the same effects. They also develop the urge to stop using the drug bit each time they try to do so, they are affected by the withdrawal effects such as irritability ("Dependence on Marijuana," 2013).
Cannabis is known to increase the possibility of bleeding if taken with anticoagulants and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Also, Cannabis is to affect the functionality of insulin and oral drugs for management.
Schedule II – Hydromorphone
Hydromorphone is a drug that is accepted for medical use. It is usually prescribed for pain-relieving purposes. However, there is a relatively high potential for the drug being abused. It affects the body in several ways when used both for short and long-term non-medical purposes. Hydromorphone may lead to irritability and frequent change in moods, itching, breathing problems, and inability to be alert all times (Hydromorphone, 2017).
Some of the dependence aspects of Hydromorphone include the development of tolerance for the drug and the urge to use more at a time to have the same effects. Also, one experiences withdrawal signs such as diarrhea, vomiting, chills, and sweating when they stop using the drug ("Hydromorphone," 2017).
Hydromorphone interacts with other drugs whenever used with them at the same time. It tends to increase the side effects of other medications that cause berating problems. Such examples include opioid pain relievers, muscle relaxants, and drugs that enhance sleep ("Dilaudid," n.d).
Schedule III – Ketamine
It is a drug used for anesthetic purposes. Like other drugs categorized under Schedule three, there is less likelihood for people to abuse Ketamine as compared to drugs in Schedules I and II. When abused, Ketamine causes several effects on the body. It increases the rate at which the heart beats and thus raises blood pressure. Users may also develop amnesia, hallucinations, depression, and respiratory problems when used for long. Ketamine use can also result in the memory problems ("Physical Symptoms of Ketamine Abuse," n.d).
There are several dependence aspects of Ketamine. One develops a tolerance for the drug and has the urge to use it frequently. With time one also develops the need to have more and more so as to achieve the same effects. Any attempts to stop using the drug are challenged by withdrawal effects, making the person to have the cravings for it ("Ketamine," n.d).
Some drugs produce negative effects when used with Ketamine. The side effects of drugs such as Barbiturates may be severe when used with Ketamine. The interaction may also lower the effectiveness of ketamine in the body ("Ketamine," n.d).
Schedule IV – Soma
Soma is a drug used for short-term reduction of muscle pain and discomfort. Use of the drug is known to cause a headache, dizziness, and confusion. Though rarely, the drug is also known to cause allergic reactions such as rashes and severe breathing problems. Using the drug while pregnant may cause harm to the unborn baby ("Soma," n.d).
When used for leisure, one develops a tolerance for drug and feels like they have to use it frequently. The doses increase with time as well and the users develop excessive dependence such that a withdrawal attempt leads to undesirable effects ("Soma," n.d).
Use of soma with opioids, other muscle relaxants, and drugs for sleep may increase the side effects of the drugs ("Soma," n.d).
Schedule V – Ezogabine
Schedule V drugs are used for medication and there is a rare chance for their abuse. However, there are instances when the drugs are misused leading to effects on the body. When ezogabine is misused it could lead to an undesirable outcome. It is an anticonvulsant used to control onset seizures. It may lead to problems with urination, hallucinations, and mental disorders leading to confusion. It also affects the rhythm of the heart and causes cardiovascular issues ("Ezogabine Tablet," n.d).
Ezogabine may interact with orlistat and muscle relaxants to produce negative side effects. Its excretion may be affected by other seizures management drugs ("Ezogabine Tablet," n.d).
The drug is not highly addictive but a person may develop tolerance and want to use it in high doses .
References ;
Cannabis: the facts (2014). Retrieved July 11, 2017 from: http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/drugs/Pages/cannabis-facts.aspx
Dependence on Marijuana (2013). Retrieved July 11, 2017 from: http://learnaboutmarijuanawa.org/factsheets/dependence.htm
Dilaudid (n.d). Retrieved July 11, 2017 from: http://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-9130/dilaudid-oral/details#interactions
Drug Schedules (n.d). Retrieved July 11, 2017 from: https://www.dea.gov/druginfo/ds.shtml
Ezogabine Tablet (n.d). Retrieved July 11, 2017 from: http://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-160536/ezogabine-oral/details#uses
Hydromorphone (2017). Retrieved July 11, 2017 from: Retrieved July 11, 2017 from: https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682013.html
Ketamine (n.d). Retrieved July 11, 2017 from: http://www.drugfreeworld.org/drugfacts/prescription/ketamine.html
Marijuana (Cannabis Sativa). (n.d). Retrieved July 11, 2017 from: http://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/marijuana/interactions/hrb-20059701
Physical Symptoms of Ketamine Abuse (n.d). Retrieved July 11, 2017 from: http://americanaddictioncenters.org/ketamine-abuse/physical-symptoms/
Soma (n.d). Retrieved July 11, 2017 from: http://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-12153/soma-oral/details
