Drugs as Medicine Chapter 11

What do you think? True or False Prescription medications can be dangerous, but over the counter medicines are safe. False. All drug use involves risk. The action of a drug can depend on whether or not it is taken with meals. True. This is one of the factors that affect the action of a drug. Generic drugs are exactly the same as their brand name equivalents, only cheaper. False. Generic drugs contain the same active ingredients, but may contain different inactive ingredients.

Benefits of Medicine. They may help prevent disease (vaccines) They May help in the cure of disease (Penicillin kills bacteria in some forms of pneumonia) They may help make diseases less severe (steroid hormones) They may relieve symptoms (Aspirin relieves inflammation) They may bring other desired affects.

Side Effects of Commonly used Medicine. Possible Hazard Aspirin Stomach bleeding, vomiting, allergic reaction, and ulcers Cold Medications Loss of consciousness (if taken with prescription tranquilizers) Diet Pills Organ damage or death from bleeding of the brain Ibuprofen Allergic reaction, liver damage, fluid retention Laxatives Reduced absorption of minerals, creation of dependency

Drug Definitions. Tolerance – requiring larger and larger amounts of a drug to produce the same affect. Drug synergy – the combined action of two drugs that is greater than the sum of their individual actions. Ex. Alcohol and sleeping pills Antagonist – drug that opposes the action of another drug. Ex. During an accidental overdose

Take Medicine as prescribed. Can lead to Dependence and Addiction Dosage- amount and frequency that a drug is to be taken. Ex. One 20mg pill twice a day Duration-time period in which you are to take a drug.

OTC vs. Prescription Drugs Over-the Counter Prescription OTC – drugs legally available without a prescription. Aspirin Robitussin Ibuprofen Tylenol Laxatives Toothache Medicine Prescription Drugs – drugs legally available only with physicians order. Oxycodone Percocet Sleeping Pills Muscle Relaxers Ritalin

Charlie Bartlett Clip http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUZ70I_2-YA

Drugs of abuse Chapter 12

What do you think? True or False A physical Addiction is more powerful than a psychological addiction. False. Psychological addictions can be as powerful as physical ones. Unlike smoking tobacco, smoking marijuana does not harm health. False. Smoking marijuana is associated with harmful health effects similar to tobacco use. People usually recover from drug dependency on their own. False. People rarely recover from drug dependency on their own.

Drug Abuse Defined. Drug Use – taking a drug for its medically intended purposes. Drug misuse – taking of a drug for its medically intended purposes but not in the appropriate amount, frequency, strength, and manner. Drug abuse – deliberate taking of a drug for anything other than medical purposes.