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Using Medicines Safely
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Medicines are only safe if they are used
for the intended purpose and according
to the directions on the label.
prescription medicines
over-the-counter (OTC) medicines
medicine misuse
medicine abuse
drug overdose
Standards for Medicines
Medicines are regulated to make them safe.
All new medicines in the United States must
meet standards set by the Food and Drug
Administration (FDA).
Standards for Medicines
Drug manufacturers test new medicines according
to FDA guidelines.
That includes completing at least three clinical
trials in which the drug is tested on human
volunteers.
Standards for Medicines
Sometimes, if a drug hasn’t yet completed
clinical trials but is thought to be effective, people
with life-threatening illnesses are allowed to use
the drug.
This usage is referred to as experimental.
Standards for Medicines
The FDA does not
regulate herbal and
dietary supplements.
Even supplements made from natural compounds
can have harmful side effects or interactions.
Prescription Medicines
A licensed pharmacist dispenses prescription
medicines.
Prescription medicines
Medicines that are dispensed only
with the written approval of a licensed
physician or nurse-practitioner
Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medicines
The FDA considers over-the-counter (OTC)
medicines to be safe if they are used as the label
directs.
over-the-counter (OTC) medicines
Medicines you can buy without a
doctor’s prescription
Medicine Labels
Active Ingredient
Ingredient that treats condition, including amount per unit
Inactive Ingredients
Substances added to the product that do not help treat
the condition, such as flavor and color
Uses
Conditions or symptoms treated by the product
Expiration Date
The date you should no longer use the medicine
Purpose
Product category and what the product is supposed to
do, such as antacid
Warnings
Side effects, interactions, when to talk to a doctor, when
not to take the product, keep out of reach of children
Other Information
and Directions
Other information may be printed on the opposite side of
the label
Medicine Labels
Prescription medicine labels also include this information.
 Special instructions for taking the medicine
 The prescribing doctor’s name
 The patient’s name
 The pharmacy’s name and address
 The date the prescription was filled
 The prescription number
 Whether refills are allowed
Medicine Labels
This is an example of a
medicine label for an
over-the-counter (OTC)
medicine.
Medicine Misuse
Taking medicines unnecessarily or without
following the label instructions is dangerous.
Medicine misuse can prevent the user from
getting the full benefit of the medicine.
Medicine Misuse
Medicine misuse can have serious health
consequences.
Medicine misuse
Using a medicine in ways
other than the intended use
Medicine Misuse
Examples of Medicine Misuse
 Failing to follow the instructions on or in the package
 Giving a prescription medicine to a person for whom it was not
prescribed, or taking another person’s medicine
 Taking too much or too little of a medicine
 Taking a medicine for a longer or shorter period than
prescribed or recommended
 Discontinuing use of a medicine without informing your health
care provider
 Mixing medicines without the knowledge or approval of your
health care provider
Medicine Abuse
Medicine abuse is dangerous and illegal.
Medicine abuse
Intentionally taking medications
for non-medical reasons
Medicine Abuse
Don’t use drugs to lose weight.
Don’t use drugs to stay awake
while studying.
Don’t use drugs to fit in with peers.
Medicine Abuse
One danger of medicine misuse is drug overdose.
Drug overdose
A strong, sometimes fatal
reaction to taking a large
amount of a drug
After You Read
Reviewing Facts and Vocabulary
1. How do prescription medicines differ
from OTC medicines?
Prescription medicines are dispensed only
with the approval of a licensed physician or
nurse practitioner. An OTC can be bought
without a prescription.
After You Read
Reviewing Facts and Vocabulary
2. List four pieces of information that must
be on an OTC medicine label. Describe
the purpose of each piece of information.
Sample answers: Active ingredient, uses,
directions, and warnings
After You Read
Reviewing Facts and Vocabulary
3. What is medicine misuse? How does it
differ from medicine abuse?
Using a medicine in ways other than the
intended use is medicine misuse; medicine
abuse is taking medication for nonmedical
reasons.