What is a Drug? Caffeineamoxilnicotine Seldanealcoholpenicillin AspirinPCPibuprofen LSD Advil crack Vicodenacetaminophenvalium Tylenolsleeping pillscocaine Paint thinnerheroinnuprin marijuanaalevesteroids Xanax

Drugs and Health Medical breakthroughs over the last 100 years have increased our overall health….. But we have become a self-medicating society and this can be dangerous…. …drugs that are misused become dangerous to the body and the mind

What is a drug? Any substance other than food that change the structure and function of the body or mind. What is a medicine? Any substance used to treat or prevent diseases or other health problems

How Drugs Enter the Bloodstream! Taken by mouth The drug passes through the walls of the stomach and then into the small intestine to be absorbed into the bloodstream. Inhaled The drug inters the bloodstream by way of the rich supply of blood vessels in the nasal passages. Smoked The drug passes from the alveoli(sacs) in the lungs into the capillaries and the bloodstream.

Applied to the skin The drug is applied to the skin passes through the pores into the tiny capillaries and the bloodstream. Injected Skin popping – the drug is injected under the skin. Intramuscular injection – the drug is injected deep into a muscle. Mainlining – the drug is injected directly into a vein.

Reactions to Medicines How we react depends on several factors… …method of entry …body size variations …body chemistry differences

Types of reactions side effects- any reaction other than the one intended examples: upset stomach, dizziness, drowsiness, nausea

Tolerance becoming used to the effects of a medicine need greater amounts for it to be effective

mixing medicines when you take 2 or more medications at the same time = > stronger effect > unexpected effects > may cancel each other out