Prescription Narcotics List

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 In the United States, prescription narcotics, also known as opioids, are the second most commonly misued illicit substance, after marijuana. According to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, an estimated 13.8 million Americans reported abusing prescription drugs in 2025, with more than half of those individuals specifically misusing prescription painkillers.

If you suspect a child or loved one may be abusing narcotic medications, this prescription narcotics list can provide information on the drugs most likely to be used.

Prescription Narcotics

When it comes to treating conditions involving pain, prescription narcotics have proven to be the most reliable and effective method of treatment. Prescription narcotics are used to treat a wide range of conditions, some of which include:

• Pain after surgery
• Cancer pain
• Burn conditions
• Chronic pain conditions

Drugs on the narcotics list specifically target pain receptors (mu- opioid receptors)  throughout the body and cause a large amount of dopamine to be released. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that is sometimes referred to as the brain’s feel-good messenger. It is responsible for regulating the reward-motivation response, pleasure, motivation, motor control, attention and mood.

Over time, the body reduces its natural production of this neurotransmitter, beginning a cycle of needing more of the narcotic to obtain the same effects. This is called tolerance. As the body becomes accustomed to the presence of the narcotic, it not only craves the substance but also needs it to function normally, which is referred to as dependence.  Unless carefully monitored, patients can quickly become dependent and potentially addicted to narcotic medications.

 While the pain-relieving effects of narcotics serve a genuine purpose, the effects of these drugs on a person’s brain chemistry can cause serious damage when taken for long periods of time.

Short-Acting Narcotics

Prescription narcotics are effective at relieving pain, but should be taken with care.

Among the different varieties of drugs on the narcotics list, short-acting narcotics are prescribed to treat conditions involving acute pain symptoms.  Short-acting narcotics may also be prescribed to treat what’s known as “breakthrough” pain.

Some short-acting narcotics contain a single active ingredient that’s opium based. The narcotics list for short-acting medications with a single ingredient includes:

• Actiq
• Codeine
• Demerol
• Dilaudid
• Morphine

Short-acting narcotics containing two active ingredients pair a narcotic agent with ibuprofen, aspirin or acetaminophen. The narcotics list for short-acting medications with two ingredients includes:

• Vicoprofen, Vicodin or Norco
• Percocet or Percodan
• Tylenol #3 
• Fiorinal with codeine
• Ultracet

When compared with long-acting narcotics, the short-term effects created by these drugs increase the likelihood of addiction, especially when taken for long periods.

Long-Acting Narcotics

Long-acting narcotics are used in the treatment of chronic conditions, such as cancer or to relieve pain symptoms experienced after surgeries that require a long recovery time. They should only be taken as prescribed. Drugs on the long-acting narcotics list fall into separate categories based on their active ingredients. The four most common active ingredients are:

• Methadone
• Fentanyl 
• Morphine controlled release/extended release, such as MS Contin 
• Oxycodone controlled release/extended release, such as Opana ER
• Hydromorphone extended-release

 Although the medications on this list are beneficial when used as directed, long-term use or abuse of these drugs places a person at risk of becoming dependent and potentially addicted.

If you abuse prescription narcotics, call 800-934-1582(Sponsored) now to seek the treatment help you need. 

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