Shortness of breath is one of the main symptoms of respiratory issues. Difficulty breathing is also a side effect of some medications and illegal drugs. Some drugs can cause symptoms that look like heart and lung disease, while others flat-out cause heart and lung disorders.
Keep reading to learn more about why certain substances impact lung tissue and the breathing passages and cause high blood pressure. Plus, discover some information about the many medicines that can cause shortness of breath.
What Are Drug-Induced Breathing Problems?
Shortness of breath occurs when the body can’t allow enough air into the lungs, which can be distressing and painful. Many recreational drugs are smoked or inhaled, which leads to scarred and damaged lungs and puts added pressure on the heart muscle. Opioids and other drugs can also restrict the airways and blood vessels and might eventually cause lung or heart failure.
You might experience tightness in your chest, uncomfortable inhalation and exhalation and a tense feeling that you can’t get enough air with each breath. Certain drugs can cause these issues, which we go into detail about further down in this article.
Why Does Drug Abuse Cause Respiratory Disorders?
People who abuse substances are more likely to suffer from respiratory diseases such as pulmonary infections and so-called chronic diseases. This is because many drugs are burned and smoked or inhaled, sending toxic, harmful chemicals surging through your airways. While the method of ingestion is a primary cause of respiratory issues, some drugs cause lung problems indirectly.
Other Primary Causes of Respiratory Problems
Your heart and lungs work together, transporting oxygen to your body and removing carbon dioxide. Issues with the heart and/or lungs can cause issues with breathing, chest pain and muscle weakness.
Aside from drug-related breathing difficulties, there are a number of health conditions that can impact the respiratory system, such as:
- Asthma
- Blood clot in the lung
- Carbon monoxide poisoning
- Collapsed lung
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- COVID-19
- Lung infection
- Heart attack
- Heart arrhythmia
- Heart dysfunction
- Obesity
- Upper airway obstruction
If you think you have a medical condition, seek help from a health care professional as soon as possible.
Lung Problems
Other lung-specific issues that might cause shortness of breath are listed below:
- Cancer
- Chest wall deformity
- Collections of inflammatory cells in the body
- Croup
- Pleurisy
- Pulmonary edema
- Pulmonary fibrosis
- Pulmonary hypertension
- Tuberculosis
Heart Disease
Specific heart-related diseases that can cause difficulty breathing include:
- Cardiomyopathy
- Heart failure
- Inflammation of heart tissue
Other Issues That Can Cause Heart or Lung Conditions
Other diseases that can impact the respiratory system include:
- Anemia
- Anxiety
- Choking
- Epiglottitis
- Fractured or broken ribs
Signs of Respiratory Problems
Whether severe shortness of breath is caused by drugs or an illness, you should take the following warning signs seriously and seek help as soon as possible:
- Aches and pains
- Chronic mucus
- Coughing up blood
- Chest pains
- Fatigue
- Persistent cough
- Sore throat
- Trouble breathing
A little difficulty breathing is normal if you’ve just been out for a run or climbed lots of stairs, but if you experience any persistent difficulty, you should seek medical attention.
Drugs That Cause Shortness of Breath
The list below provides examples of substances that are known to cause shortness of breath or other respiratory concerns. Keep in mind that the list is by no means exhaustive and many medications might have these side effects.
Opioid Drugs
Opioid medications are widely used to treat severe ongoing pain, especially following surgery or for chronic and terminal illnesses. They slow down the central nervous system (CNS), which in turn can lead to slow and ineffective breathing. Examples of opioid drugs include:
- Codeine
- Fentanyl
- Hydrocodone
- Methadone
- Morphine
- Oxycodone
- Oxymorphone
- Tapentadol
NSAIDs
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) such as aspirin treat pain and fever by reducing inflammation in the body. Despite the fact that they aren’t psychoactive, they’re one of the most commonly abused classes of drugs. In some cases, they can lead to a condition called aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD), which is a combination of nasal polyps, sinus congestion and asthma.
Other NSAIDs include:
- Celecoxib
- Etoricoxib
- Ibuprofen
- Mefenamic acid
- Naproxen
Inhalants
Some substances that haven’t been designed for human consumption cause a high when inhaled. This can be very dangerous to the airways, but it also depresses the CNS and reduces brain activity. Some inhalants include:
- Amyl nitrate
- Cleaning fluid
- Correction fluid
- Gasoline
- Glue
- Lighter fluid
- Nitrous oxide
Miscellaneous Medications
There are a number of medications that don’t fall into the above categories but can still lead to respiratory problems:
- Agalsidase
- Amiodarone
- Beta-blockers
- Epoprostenol
- Leflunomide
- Methotrexate
- Nitrofurantoin
- Oprelvekin
- Propafenone
- Warfarin
Recreational Substances and the Respiratory System
Some substances that are legal but commonly abused can cause shortness of breath, such as:
- Alcohol: Alcohol depresses the CNS and slows breathing and can cause long-term issues with the respiratory system.
- Cigarettes: Cigarettes contain hundreds of toxins that become even more harmful to the lungs when heated and inhaled.
- Marijuana: Vaping and smoking marijuana causes a buildup of tar and other toxins in the lungs and can contribute to lung damage.
Illicit Drugs That Cause Shortness of Breath
A number of illegal drugs can do major damage to the lungs, especially when consumed in excess over time. Examples of illegal drugs that cause shortness of breath include:
- Cocaine is often snorted or smoked, which can do damage to the airways, lungs and heart.
- Crack cocaine is even more damaging to the lungs when smoked through a crack pipe or similar instrument.
- Even short-term use of methamphetamine can cause serious damage to the lungs.
- Smoking or injecting heroin or other opioid substances is highly dangerous because it constricts blood vessels, depresses the CNS and weakens the immune system.
Individualized Addiction and Mental Health Treatment in Delray Beach
If your health or that of someone you love is deteriorating as a result of substance abuse, help is at hand. Get in touch with Transformations Treatment Center today at (800) 270-4315 to get help from a compassionate team of behavioral health experts.
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