Chapter 19 Mr. Pressman Freshman Health

The Role of MEDICINES

Classification for Medicines Types of medicines Vocabulary Classification for Medicines Medicines Drugs that are used to treat or prevent diseases or other conditions Drugs Substances other than food that change the structure or function of the body or mind Help Prevent Disease Fight Pathogens Relieve Pain Manage Chronic Conditions, Restore Health, Regulate Body Systems

Preventing Disease Fighting Pathogens Vaccines Antitoxins Antibiotics Preparation that prevents a person from contracting a specific disease Contain a weakened pathogen that causes the disease Antitoxins Help neutralize the effects of toxins Antibiotics Drugs that destroy disease- causing bacteria Antiviral and Antifungals Treats the ailment

Relieving Pain Analgesics- pain relievers ranging from mild medicines like aspirin to strong narcotics like morphine and codeine Analgesics are used to relieve pain or reduce inflammation Certain pain relievers are addictive and require a doctor’s prescription Allergy Medicine- antihistamines block chemicals released by the immune system that cause allergic responses Body Regulating Medicine- insulin; inhalers; blood pressure Antidepressant and Antipsychotic Medicines- regulate brain chemistry or stabilize moods Cancer Treatment Medicines- chemotherapy (uses chemicals to kill fast growing cancer cells); immunotherapy (uses the immune system to fight cancer cells)

Taking mediciations Oral- by mouth in liquid, capsule or tablet; pass into digestive system through bloodstream Topical- applied to skin Inhaled- delivered in fine mist or powder Injected- delivered through a shot

Reactions to Medications Medicine Interactions Tolerance and Withdrawal Side effects- reactions to medicine other than one intended Additive interaction- when medicines work together in a positive way Synergistic effect- interaction of two or more medicines that results in a greater effect that when each medicine is taken alone Antagonistic interaction- when the effect of one medicine is canceled or reduced when taken with another medicine Tolerance- when the body becomes used to effect of a medicine Withdrawal- when a person stops using a medicine on which he or she has become physiologically dependent

Using Medicines Safely Medicines are regulated to make them safe All new medicines must meet standards set by Food and Drug Administration (FDA). New drugs must complete 3 clinical trials where it is tested on human volunteers to determine its effectiveness and any potentially harmful side effects. FDA does not regulate herbal and dietary supplements.

Standards for medicines Prescription Medicine- medicines that are dispensed only with the written approval of a licensed physician or nurse practitioner Over the Counter Medicine- medicines you can buy without a doctor’s prescription Medicine Labels- FDA requires all prescriptions and OTC medicine labels contain information telling consumer how to use it. Prescription medication labels must include special information for taking the medication, the doctors name, patients name, pharmacy information, date filled, prescription number and number of refills.

Medicine misuse Medicine misuse involves using a medicine in ways other than the intended use. Misuse is failing to follow the instructions Misuse is giving a prescription medicine to a person for whom it is not prescribed. Misuse is taking a medicine for longer or shorter than prescribed or taking too little or too much of it. Misuse is mixing medicines or discontinuing it without informing your health care provider.

Medicine abuse Medicine abuse- intentionally taking medications for nonmedical reasons 96% of teens use medicines correctly. Teens should avoid using drugs to lose weight or stay awake while studying. Teens should avoid using drugs to fit in with peers. Teen should avoid using medicines prescribed to someone else. One danger of medicine misuse is a drug overdose (a strong sometimes fatal reaction to taking a large amount of a drug).

OVERVIEW Medicines can help manage chronic conditions, including allergies, diabetes, asthma, and depression, and can treat cancer. Medicines can be taken orally or topically. They can be inhaled or taken by injection. When taking medicines, some people may experience side effects or allergies. When medicines interact, they may have a different effect than intended.

Overview The FDA regulates medicines and their distribution to make sure that medicines are safe and effective. Written approval in the form of a prescription is needed for some medicines, but OTC medicines can be bought without a prescription. Medicines can be dangerous if they are not used as directed.