Designer Drugs - Are There Any Medical Reasons for Taking This Substance?

Are There Any Medical Reasons for Taking This Substance?

The Schedule I drugs 2C-B, ecstasy, and GHB had no known medical uses for humans as of 2005.

Ketamine, a Schedule III drug, was approved for use as an anesthetic in animals and humans in 1970. About 90 percent of legally sold ketamine is intended for veterinary use.

Methamphetamine produced by legal drug companies is available with a doctor's prescription for the treatment of narcolepsyA sleep disorder characterized by daytime tiredness and sudden attacks of sleep. and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorderA disorder characterized by impulsive behavior, difficulty concentrating, and hyperactivity that interferes with social and academic functioning. (ADHD). It is categorized as a Schedule II stimulant.

PCP is also a Schedule II drug. At one time, it was given to surgical patients as an anesthetic. Because of disturbing psychological side effects, however, it is no longer used for that purpose. As of the early 2000s, PCP was being investigated for potential use in patients who have suffered a heart attack or a stroke.

Erin Rose, left, appears with her mother, Maryanne, at a press conference to warn others about the dangers of ketamine use. Rose suffered brain damage after using ketamine. AP/Wide World Photos.
Erin Rose, left, appears with her mother, Maryanne, at a press conference to warn others about the dangers of ketamine use. Rose suffered brain damage after using ketamine. AP/Wide World Photos.