UNDERSTANDING DRUGS AND MEDICINCES

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A DRUG AND A MEDICINE? Drugs are substances that cause a change in a person’s physical and/or psychological state. Medicines are drugs that are used to cure, prevent or treat illnesses or discomfort. DRUGS MEDICINES

W HAT ARE SOME COMMON SIDE EFFECTS OF MEDICINES ? An effect caused by a drug other then the intended effect Common side effects are headaches, sleepiness, diarrhea, nausea What is a Side Effect?

A specific medicine ordered by a doctor in writing. Medicines that can be bought without a prescription.

Why do we need a prescription for certain drugs? Easy to become addicted to Stronger then OTC drugs More serious side effects May interfere with other drugs

P RESCRIPTION M EDICINES What information does a prescription have? The medication The dose When you should take the medicine How often you should take the medicine The length of time you should take the medicine

Legal medicines with legitimate uses can be abused -- meaning they're taken by someone other than the patient or in a manner or dose other than what's recommended Vicodin/HydrocodoneValium XanexAmbien Adderall OxycontinOxycontin

W HAT DO THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF COMMON MEDICATIONS DO FOR OUR BODY ?

Block the action of the chemical, HISTAMINE, which causes allergy symptoms

Works against stomach acids that cause heartburn.

Drugs used to treat infections caused by bacteria and other microorganisms. Common antibiotics: Penicillin Streptomycin Amoxicillin

H OW DO DRUGS ENTER YOUR BODY ? Transdermal Patches The drug is packaged into patches that are placed on the skin. Ingestion The drug is swallowed and absorbed through blood vessels in the intestines. Topical Application The drug is applied directly to certain areas of the body and absorbed into the skin.

H OW DO DRUGS ENTER YOUR BODY ? Injection The drug is injected by a hypodermic needle. Implanted Pumps Surgically implanted specialized pumps inject drugs directly into a specific part of the body. Inhalation The drugs enter the body through blood vessels in the lungs when it is inhaled.

W HAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A GENERIC MEDICINE AND A BRAND NAME MEDICINE ? Generic drugs are made by a company other than the company that developed the original medicine. They are chemically identical to the original drug and have the same active ingredients. The difference may be in the inactive ingredients, things that give the pill its shape, color, and size.

W HAT ARE DRUG INTERACTIONS ? Occur when drugs react with another drug, food or dietary supplement. Could increase or decrease the effect of a drug.

A LLERGIC REACTIONS CAN RANGE FROM VERY MILD TO LIFE THREATENING. Affects the entire body including itching all over, swelling, especially in the mouth and throat, wheezing or difficulty breathing, pounding heart, fainting and unconsciousness. What is the most serious allergic reaction called and what are the symptoms of it?