Did you know that the effects on the brain of the two most commonly prescribed prescription opioids—hydrocodone and oxycodone—are virtually indistinguishable from those of heroin? The addictive nature of prescription opioids is partially responsible for the current prescription drug crisis and the vast underground market in which people buy and sell these drugs illegally.
If you have heard street names for painkillers from a loved one, it could be a sign that they’re struggling with addiction and even sourcing opioids illegally. Call 844.875.5609 to speak with someone from Promises Behavioral Health about how to spot nicknames for painkillers and how our painkiller addiction treatment centers throughout the United States can help you or your loved one.
Common Street Names for Painkillers
While people who take prescription opioids legally and as prescribed most likely call them by their brand or generic names, the culture of illegal drug trading has spawned street lingo for opioids. Although they may not be as abundant or creative as the street names for many drugs, the following nicknames for painkillers help conceal illicit drug deals from law enforcement and addictions from loved ones.
Codeine
This opioid is classified as a Schedule II drug because it has a “high potential for abuse.” Codeine attaches to the same cell receptors targeted by illegal opioids like heroin. Many medications contain codeine as an ingredient, especially cough suppressants—such as Robitussin A-C and Tylenol with codeine.
The most common street names that involve codeine refer to when its syrup is mixed with soda:
- Purple Drank
- Sizzurp
- Lean
- Texas Tea
However, this drug can be called Captain Cody, Cody, Little C, or School Boy. Tylenol with codeine can be called T1, T2, T3, T4, Dors, or Fours.
Fentanyl
Brand names for this powerful synthetic opioid include Actiq, Duragesic, Onsolis, and Sublimaze. Its street names include the following:
- Apache
- China Girl
- China White
- Dance Fever
- Dragon’s Breath
- Friend
- Goodfella
- He-Man
- Jackpot
- King Ivory
- Lollipop
- Murder 8
- Percopop
- Tango & Cash
Fentanyl is often mixed with heroin or pressed into counterfeit pills users believe are painkillers or other drugs.
Hydrocodone
Among the hundreds of brand names are Lorcet, Lortab, and Vicodin. Hydrocodone is an antitussive or cough suppressant and a narcotic analgesic agent used to treat moderate to severe pain. Its street names include the following:
- Bananas
- Dro
- Fluff
- Hydro
- Norco
- Tabs
- V-Itamin
- Vics
- Vikes
- Watsons
- Watson-387
In the illicit market, hydrocodone pills with acetaminophen are the most common formula encountered by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
Morphine
Brand names include Avinza, Duramorph, Kadian, MS-Contin, Ormorph, RMS, and Roxanol. Although it is most associated with pain relief in terminal illnesses such as end-stage cancer, morphine is sold illegally and abused. Its street names include the following:
- Dreamer
- First Line
- God’s Drug
- M
- Miss Emma
- Mister Blue
- Monkey
- Morf
- Morpho
- Vitamin M
- White Stuff
Like all opioids, morphine produces feelings of euphoria. However, psychological dependence can occur after a relatively small number of doses.
Oxycodone
Brand names include OxyContin, Percocet, Percodan, and Tylox. Its street names include the following:
- 30s
- 40s
- Beans
- Blues
- Buttons
- Cotton
- Greens
- Hillbilly Heroin
- OC
- Ox
- Oxy
- Oxycet
- Oxycontin
- Percs
- Pills
- Rims
- Wheels
- Whites
Most experts blame the world’s top-selling opioid painkiller OxyContin for fueling the opioid epidemic and possibly the more recent surge in heroin use. Oxycodone is abused orally or intravenously. The tablets are crushed and sniffed or dissolved in water and injected. Less commonly, users place the pills on a piece of foil and then inhale the vapors.
Find Opioid Addiction Treatment with Promises Behavioral Health
Awareness of the common street names for prescription painkillers can lead to more timely addiction diagnoses and efficacious drug treatment interventions. More than anything else, the benefit of this knowledge can help loved ones uncover potential drug abuse in people who may experience permanent damage without immediate help—like teens and older adults. Contact Promises today at 844.875.5609 to learn more about our opioid addiction treatment programs and how we can help you or your loved one overcome addiction to opioids.
A comprehensive list of slang names compiled by law enforcement and the DEA includes illicit and select misused prescription drugs. Some variations exist, and new names are continually created in an effort to stay ahead of law enforcement. Knowing these slang words is essential for the DEA and local law enforcement entities. Being aware of these names can also lead to more timely addiction diagnoses and efficacious drug treatment interventions and help parents uncover potential teen drug abuse.