Medications!!!

People that work with Meds Medication Aide – passes out medicines - 6 months at trade school Pharmacy Technician – works at a pharmacy – 2 year program Pharmacist – 8 years (R.Ph.) Research Pharmacist 8 years (Ph.D) Lab Technicians 4 years (B.S. or B.A.)

Strength Prescription drugs – must be prescribed by a doctor or doctor’s authority. Usually higher dosages or to treat problems that common people do not understand. Over the counter – Available for purchase by anyone. Usually lower dosages and treat common problems.

Narcotics Schedule I – NO CURRENT MEDICAL USE – LSD, Cannabis, ecstasy, peyote Schedule II – Dangerous, with high indication for abuse and dependence – cocaine, hydromorphone methamphetamine, oxycontin, fentanyl, Adderall Schedule III – Moderate indication for dependence – codeine, ketamine, steroids Schedule IV – low risk for dependence – Xanax, Soma, Valium, Ambien, Tramadol Schedule V – contain limited amounts of narcotic properties – low dose codeine, lyrica

Medication Names Brand/Trade – Named by the company that invented it (Tylenol) Generic – Name given to medicine by maker and FDA (Acetaminophen) Chemical – Actual Chemical Make-Up (N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)acetamide)

Action! What is the medicine SUPPOSED to do? Agonist – makes something happen Antagonist – prevents something from happening

Medication Indications The patient is showing a sign or symptom that could be relieved by administering the medication. The provider believes that the medication will help to alleviate these signs and symptoms and also believes that any risks involved with the medicine are minimal

Medication Contra Indications This means that a medicine should definitely NOT be given due to an existing condition in the patient. The medicine will more likely harm the patient instead of helping

Side Effects Unintended effects of the medicine. Can range from mild to severe Can be good or bad Can last a short period of time, or throughout the use of the medicine

Allergy An unintended reaction, usually extreme. Can be anything from discomfort, skin irritation, difficulty in breathing and death

Dosages Medications are normally supplied in concentrations. These concentrations are broken down into individual doses There are dosing recommendations from each manufacturer, and different dosages based on weight and age.

Frequency When is the best time to take it? Often, latin abbreviations are used (BID – twice daily, TID – three times a day) Some medications are more effective in the morning or before bed Some need an empty stomach, some need to be taken with food

HOMEWORK for a GRADE 1. Find 2 medications in your home. They can be prescription or over the counter 2. Write down the name of the medicine, dose and frequency 3. Look up the alternative names for the medicine and the action. 4. write down any side effects

Form Medications come in a variety of forms and each has its own pros and cons

TABLETS Powder reformed into a solid shape Identifiable by shape, color and imprint This one has a score mark

Powder Crushed tablets for faster absorption Can be swallowed or inhaled depending on medicine

CAPSULE Tube filled with medicine ingredients Can be plant material Can be smaller pills or liquid gels

Liquigels Filled with liquid with a coated shell Easy to digest

Liquid

Gel

Ampule

Vial

Suppository

Ointments and Creams Designed for external applications Usually for skin problems

Medication Administration Routes

Oral/Ingestion

Buccal / Sublingual

Intravenous (IV) Intraosseous (IO)

Intramuscular (IM) Subcutaneous

Nasal / Inhalation

Rectal

Optic / Otic

Topical / Transdermal

Questions???