Explanations about some commonly used drugs

Carisoprodol - Carisoprodol is a skeletal muscle relaxant whose active metabolite is meprobamate. Although several case reports have shown that carisoprodol has abuse potential, it continues to be widely prescribed (except in the United Kingdom where use of benzodiazepines is preferred). Carisoprodol is a colorless, crystalline powder, having a mild, characteristic odor and a bitter taste. It is slightly soluble in water and freely soluble in alcohol, chloroform and acetone. Its solubility is practically independent of pH. It is marketed in the United States under the brand name Soma, and in the United Kingdom and other countries under the brand name Carisoma.

Acyclovir - Aciclovir or acyclovir, chemical name acycloguanosine, is a guanine analogue antiviral drug, marketed under trade names such as Zovirax and Zovir (GSK). One of the most commonly-used antiviral drugs, it is primarily used for the treatment of herpes simplex virus infections, as well as in the treatment of herpes zoster (shingles). Aciclovir was seen as the start of a new era in antiviral therapy, as it is extremely selective and low in cytotoxicity. Pharmacologist Gertrude B. Elion was awarded the 1988 Nobel Prize in Medicine, partly for the development of aciclovir.

Acetominophen or paracetamol - Paracetamol is a common drug used against pain and fever (analgesic and antipyretic), for example for the relief of headaches and other minor aches and pains. Paracetamol is also useful in managing more severe pain, allowing lower dosages of additional non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or opioid analgesics to be used, thereby minimizing overall side-effects. It is a major ingredient in numerous cold and flu medications, as well as many prescription analgesics. It is considered safe for human use in recommended doses, but because of its wide availability, deliberate or accidental overdoses are fairly common.

Common brand names for the drug include Tylenol and Panadol. See List of paracetamol brand names for more.

Methamphetamine or meth - This drug in its dextro-variant stimulate the allertness and psychological mechanisms related to active actions and problem solving. It also strongly stimulate euphoric feelings of feelings of being high. the stimulation is effected by entering the brain and by triggering a cascading release of norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin.  

It stimulates physiological changes in the body that support active action  by mimicking the action of transmitter substances in the sympatetic nerve system.

The drug is higly addictive. Withdrawel symptoms are excessive sleeping, eating, and major depression, often accompanied by anxiety and drug-craving.

It is a member of the family of phenylethylamines. The levorotary (R-isomer) levomethamphetamine is  used in inhalers to alleviate nasal nasal congestion and does not possess the CNS activity of dextro- methamphetamine.

Tramadol - Tramadol is an atypical opioid which is a centrally acting analgesic, used for treating moderate to severe pain. It is a synthetic agent, as a 4-phenyl-piperidine analogue of codeine,[1][2] and appears to have actions on the GABAergic, noradrenergic and serotonergic systems. Tramadol was developed by the German pharmaceutical company Grünenthal GmbH and marketed under the trade name Tramal. Grünenthal has also cross licensed the drug to many other pharmaceutical companies that market it under various names, some of which are listed below.

Tramadol is usually marketed as the hydrochloride salt (tramadol hydrochloride) and is available in both injectable (intravenous and/or intramuscular) and oral preparations (e.g. Zydol in UK, Ultram in U.S., Zytrim in Spain and Canada, and Calmador in Argentina). It is also available in conjunction with paracetamol (acetaminophen) as Ultracet or Tramacet.

Dosages vary depending on the degree of pain experienced by the patient. Tramadol is approximately 10% as potent as morphine, when given by the IV/IM route. Oral doses range from 50–400 mg daily, with up to 600 mg daily when given IV/IM. The 'combination' pills each contain 37.5 mg of tramadol and 325 mg of paracetamol, with the recommended dose being one or two pills every four to six hours.

Nicotine - This substance found in plants of the night-shade family is an alcoloid, that is an organic nitrogen compound with basic properties. The nicotine molecule constists of an aromatic ring with 5 carbon atoms and one nitrogen atom and also a connected non-aromatic ring with a nitrogen atom and four carbon atoms.

Nicotine has general stimulating properties upon the nerve system, and at the same time a depressing action on some mental processes. The resultant effect felt is an increased allertness and cognitive agility at the same time as unpleasant nervous tension is reduced.

This combined double action makes nicotine addiction hard to break.

Nicotine stimulates receptors in the deep part of the brains, the ganglions, especially thos that are triggered normally by acetylcholine by mimicking neurotransmittors, especially acetylcholine.  These receptors play a role in maintaining allertness and in mental feelings of well-being. Nicotine also acts at the adrenal medulla.

Nicotine do not have the same long-time detrimental effect on a persons ability to manage life and work as many other addictive drugs, but it hurts the general physical constitution in great extend, causes degeneration and clogging of blood vessels and increases the chance og getting cardiovascular attack and cancers. These bad effects do not only originate from the nicotine itself, but also from other substances in the cigarettes and tobacco, for example tar substances.

After entering the body nicotine is transported quickly through the bloodstream and across the blood-brain-barrier. Allready in seven seconds the substance has reached inside the brain after inhallation. Afer two hours half of the nicotine has disappeared from the body.

Hydrocodone - Hydrocodone or dihydrocodeinone works against pain, alleviats cough and induces sleep analgesic, antitussive and narcotic) It shares its characteristics with many other drugs in chemistry and form; It is an ingrediet in product like: Vicodin, Anexsia, Dicodid, Hycodan (or generically Hydromet), Hycomine, Lorcet, Lortab, Norco, Novahistex, Hydroco, Tussionex, Vicoprofen, Xodol. The substanse is a semi-synthetic opioid derived from two of the naturally occurring opiates, codeine and thebaine. Hydrocodone is an orally active narcotic analgesic and antitussive. Sales and production of this drug have increased significantly in recent years, as have diversion and illicit use. Hydrocodone is commonly available in tablet, capsule and syrup form.

Vicodin - Vicodin is a drug containing Hydrocodone or dihydrocodeinone and acetominophen. It is a selective pain killer commonly seen as a white tablet with the name "Vicodin", "Vicodin ES", or "Vicodin HP" imprinted on one side.