Download Section 2: Drugs as Medicines

Section 2: Drugs as Medicines
Ch. 9: Understanding Drugs and Medicines

Key Terms:

Psychoactive: Describes a drug or medicine that affects
the brain and changes how a person perceives, thinks or
feels.

Generic Medicine: A Medicine made by a company
other than the company that developed the original
medicine.

Active Ingredient: The chemical component that gives a
medicine its action.

Drug Interaction: When a drug reacts with another drug,
food, or dietary supplement such that the effect of one
of the substances is greater or smaller.
Approving Drugs for Medical Use

In 1906, a government agency called the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was created to control the safety of
food, drugs, and cosmetics.

Testing a Drug:
I.
FDA process is needed to prove the drug is safe and effective.
II.
Initial testing takes place in laboratories and may include chemical tests or tests on cell cultures (cells grown in
lab).
III.
After all the initial tests are completed, all drugs are tested again on animals to be sure that they work and are
safe.
IV.
If the animal testing shows that the drug is safe, then testing for safety may being on human volunteers.
V.
If drug passes first test on humans, the drug is then tested on humans who have illness that the drug is meant to
treat.-Clinical Trials
VI.
If clinical trials show that the drug is effective and safe, then the drug company can apply the FDA approval of
the drug. The FDA then approves or rejects the drug for sale to the public.
Prescription Medicines:
 Why do I need to Follow a
Prescription?
I.
Contain instructions on when and how
often the medicine should be taken.
II.
If you don’t follow the instructions,
medicine may not work or the
medicine may be harmful.
III.
Antibiotics are examples of medicines.
What Information Does a Prescription Have?

The Dose (how much of the medicine you
should take)

When you should take the Medicine

How often you should take the Medicine

The length of time you should take
medicine

Many pharmacies will give you a drug
information sheet. This sheet has all the
information about the medicine, such as
possible side effects and known
interactions with other medicines.
Misuse of Prescription Medicines
 The only person who should take a
prescription medicine is the person
whose name appears on a label.
 Abuse can involve taking medicine
when it is not needed, taking too
much medicine, or mixing more than
one kind of medicine.
 Drugs and medicines that affect the
brain and change how we perceive,
think, or feel, are called
psychoactive.
Over-the Counter (OTC) Medicines

Benefits of OTC Medicines:
I.
Used for common illnesses, injuries, and disorders.
II.
For example, you can treat a headache with acetaminophen, a seasonal
allergy with diphenhydramine an itchy rash with cortisone cream, and a
stuffy nose with pseudoephedrine.
Choosing an OTC Medicine
1.
Decide what kind of OTC will
work for you.
2.
Decide whether you want a
generic or a brand name
medicine.
3.
Read the Label.
Misuse of OTC Medicines

OTC medicines treat symptoms, not the
disease that causes the symptoms.

If symptoms last longer than a few days
you should consult a doctor.

Ibuprofen-used for headache that lasts an
evening. Or may use a decongestantpseudoephedrine, to help you breathe
easier for a few days while you have a
cold.

Examine daily habits may help you find
reasons for some of your symptoms.

Chronic stress, for example can lead to
headaches and stomachaches.

BUT, LONG TERM use of OTC medicines
can cover up pain or discomfort that is
your body’s way of telling you something
is wrong.

Treating a chronic headache or any other
pain with regular use of painkillers may
delay the diagnosis of a more serious
condition.
Herbal Remedies and Dietary Supplements
 Pharmacies sell herbal
remedies as dietary
supplements.
 Dietary Supplements and
Herbal Remedies do not
have to be approved by the
FDA before they are sold.
 Do not have to be proven to
be effective in the same way
as OTC and prescription
medicines do.
Additional Info:
Possible Problems with Medicines:

Allergic Reactions:
1.
Itching all over the body
2.
Swelling, especially in the
mouth or throat
3.
Wheezing or difficulty in
breathing
4.
A pounding heart
5.
Fainting and unconsciousness
8 Common Allergies
Side Effects:

Drowsiness is a common side effect of many antihistamines and cough
medicines.

Aspirin is another example of a frequently used medicine that can have side
effects. One of its side effect is to cause damage to the linking of the
stomach.

Drugs that contain ibuprofen and related pain relievers can also cause
stomach ulcers.

Any child or teen who has symptoms of a cold, the fly, chickenpox, or a viral
disease that cases a fever should never take aspirin. The combination of
aspirin and theses disease can cause or increase the risk of dangerous
condition Reye’s (RIEZ) disease.

Relatively rare disease that primarily affects children and teens under the age
of 16, can cause liver failure, brain damage, syndrome can sometimes be fatal.
Drug Interactions:
 Drug Interactions occur when a drug reacts with another
drug, food, or dietary supplement to increase or
decrease the effect of one of the substances.
 For example, sedatives, tranquilizers, alcohol, and some
antihistamines cause drowsiness. Taking any
combination of these drugs at the same time could
make you very drowsy and decrease your coordination.
 Driving a car, or doing anything else that requires
coordination requires concentration and coordination
could be dangerous.
Using Medicines Wisely
1.
Make yourself a part of your own
healthcare team.
2.
Be prepared to ask questions.
3.
Learn the facts about any medicine you
are going to take.
4.
Listen to your body.
5.
It’s not always safe to suddenly stop
taking a drug.
6.
Speak up and enlist your parent’s help.
Quiz:
1.
What is the definition of Generic
Medicine?
2.
What is the government agency that
was created to control the safety of
food, drugs and cosmetics?
3.
List two OTC medicines.
4.
List two side effects for allergic
reactions.
5.
What are four common allergies?
Research

Research any type of OTC
medicine. Write down the
following information:
1.
Ingredients
2.
Uses
3.
Warnings
4.
Directions
5.
Compare the recommended
dose for an adult with the dose
for a 8 year old child.