UNDERSTANDING DRUGS AND MEDICINCES 7/25/2015

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A DRUG AND A MEDICINE? 7/25/2015 DRUGS 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. MEDICINES ALL MEDICINES ARE DRUGS. ALL DRUGS ARE NOT MEDICINES.

What are some common side effects of medicines? What is a Side Effect? An effect caused by a drug other then the intended effect 7/25/2015 What are some common side effects of medicines? headaches, sleepiness, diarrhea, nausea, dizziness, vomiting

Prescription Drugs Over-the-counter (OTC) Drugs A specific medicine ordered by a doctor in writing 7/25/2015 Over-the-counter (OTC) Drugs Medicines that can be bought without a prescription

Why do we need a prescription for certain drugs? 7/25/2015 Stronger then OTC drugs More serious side effects May interfere with other drugs Easy to become addicted to Who regulates prescription drugs? FDA (Food & Drug Administration)

Prescription Medicines 7/25/2015 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

People often think that prescription and OTC drugs are safer than illegal drugs, but that’s only true when they are taken exactly as prescribed and for the purpose intended. When abused, prescription and OTC drugs can be addictive and put abusers at risk for other adverse health effects, including overdose - especially when taken along with other drugs or alcohol. 7/25/2015

Prescription Drug Abuse 7/25/2015 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. Some of the most commonly abused prescription drugs: **VIDEO oxycontin – OPTIONAL video is about 7:30 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buGX_JDabGA Vicodin/Hydrocodone Valium Xanax Ambien Adderall Oxycontin

Prescription Drug Abuse Effects 7/25/2015 Abusing opioids like oxycodone and codeine can cause you to feel sleepy, sick to your stomach, and constipated. At higher doses, opioids can make it hard to breathe properly and can cause overdose and death. Abusing stimulants like Adderall or Ritalin can make you feel paranoid (feeling like someone is going to harm you even though they aren’t). It also can cause your body temperature to get dangerously high and make your heart beat too fast. This is especially likely if stimulants are taken in large doses or in ways other than swallowing a pill. Resource: National Institute on Drug Abuse

Prescription Drug Abuse Effects 7/25/2015 Abusing depressants like barbiturates can cause slurred speech, shallow breathing, sleepiness, disorientation, and lack of coordination. People who abuse depressants regularly and then stop suddenly may experience seizures. At higher doses depressants can also cause overdose and death, especially when combined with alcohol. Resource: National Institute on Drug Abuse

Prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs are, after marijuana and alcohol, the most commonly abused substances by Americans 14 and older. 7/25/2015

Prescription Drug Abuse Treatment 7/25/2015 The two main categories of drug addiction treatment are behavioral and pharmacological. Behavioral treatments help patients stop drug use by teaching them strategies to function without drugs, deal with cravings, avoid drugs and situations that could lead to drug use, and handle a relapse should it occur. Individual counseling Group or family counseling Contingency management Cognitive behavioral therapies Resource: National Institute on Drug Abuse

Prescription Drug Abuse Treatment 7/25/2015 The two main categories of drug addiction treatment are behavioral and pharmacological. Some addictions, such as opioid addiction, can be treated with medications. These pharmacological treatments counter the effects of the drug on the brain and behavior, and can be used to relieve withdrawal symptoms, help overcome drug cravings, or treat an overdose. Although a behavioral or pharmacological approach alone may be sufficient for treating some patients, research shows that a combined approach may be best. Resource: National Institute on Drug Abuse

What do the following types of common medications do for our body? 7/25/2015 What do the following types of common medications do for our body?

Analgesics 7/25/2015 Relieve pain

Antihistamines 7/25/2015 Block the action of the chemical, HISTAMINE, which causes allergy symptoms

Work against stomach acids that cause heartburn Antacids 7/25/2015 Work against stomach acids that cause heartburn

Antibiotics 7/25/2015 Drugs used to treat infections caused by bacteria and other microorganisms Common antibiotics: Penicillin Streptomycin Amoxicillin

How do drugs enter your body? 7/25/2015

What is the difference between a generic medicine and a brand name medicine? 7/25/2015 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.

What are drug interactions? 7/25/2015 Occur when drugs react with another drug, food or dietary supplement Could increase or decrease the effect of a drug What would be an example of a food interacting with a drug? Example given on next slide

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What is the most serious allergic reaction called and what are the symptoms of it? 7/25/2015 ANAPHYLACTIC SHOCK Affects the entire body including itching all over, swelling, especially in the mouth and throat, wheezing or difficulty breathing, pounding heart, fainting and unconsciousness Allergy reactions can range from very mild to life threatening.

What type of allergies do you suffer from? 7/25/2015