Section 2: Drugs as Medicines Ch. 9: Understanding Drugs and Medicines

Key Terms: Psychoactive: Describes a drug or medicine that affects the brain and changes how a person perceives, thinks or feels. Generic Medicine: A Medicine made by a company other than the company that developed the original medicine. Active Ingredient: The chemical component that gives a medicine its action. Drug Interaction: When a drug reacts with another drug, food, or dietary supplement such that the effect of one of the substances is greater or smaller.

Approving Drugs for Medical Use In 1906, a government agency called the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was created to control the safety of food, drugs, and cosmetics. Testing a Drug: FDA process is needed to prove the drug is safe and effective. Initial testing takes place in laboratories and may include chemical tests or tests on cell cultures (cells grown in lab). After all the initial tests are completed, all drugs are tested again on animals to be sure that they work and are safe. If the animal testing shows that the drug is safe, then testing for safety may being on human volunteers. If drug passes first test on humans, the drug is then tested on humans who have illness that the drug is meant to treat.-Clinical Trials If clinical trials show that the drug is effective and safe, then the drug company can apply the FDA approval of the drug. The FDA then approves or rejects the drug for sale to the public.

Prescription Medicines: Why do I need to Follow a Prescription? Contain instructions on when and how often the medicine should be taken. If you don’t follow the instructions, medicine may not work or the medicine may be harmful. Antibiotics are examples of medicines.

What Information Does a Prescription Have? The Dose (how much of the medicine you should take) When you should take the Medicine How often you should take the Medicine The length of time you should take medicine Many pharmacies will give you a drug information sheet. This sheet has all the information about the medicine, such as possible side effects and known interactions with other medicines.

Misuse of Prescription Medicines The only person who should take a prescription medicine is the person whose name appears on a label. Abuse can involve taking medicine when it is not needed, taking too much medicine, or mixing more than one kind of medicine. Drugs and medicines that affect the brain and change how we perceive, think, or feel, are called psychoactive.

Over-the Counter (OTC) Medicines Benefits of OTC Medicines: Used for common illnesses, injuries, and disorders. For example, you can treat a headache with acetaminophen, a seasonal allergy with diphenhydramine an itchy rash with cortisone cream, and a stuffy nose with pseudoephedrine.

Choosing an OTC Medicine Decide what kind of OTC will work for you. Decide whether you want a generic or a brand name medicine. Read the Label.

Misuse of OTC Medicines OTC medicines treat symptoms, not the disease that causes the symptoms. Ibuprofen-used for headache that lasts an evening. Or may use a decongestant- pseudoephedrine, to help you breathe easier for a few days while you have a cold. BUT, LONG TERM use of OTC medicines can cover up pain or discomfort that is your body’s way of telling you something is wrong. Treating a chronic headache or any other pain with regular use of painkillers may delay the diagnosis of a more serious condition. If symptoms last longer than a few days you should consult a doctor. Examine daily habits may help you find reasons for some of your symptoms. Chronic stress, for example can lead to headaches and stomachaches.

Herbal Remedies and Dietary Supplements Pharmacies sell herbal remedies as dietary supplements. Dietary Supplements and Herbal Remedies do not have to be approved by the FDA before they are sold. Do not have to be proven to be effective in the same way as OTC and prescription medicines do.

Additional Info:

Possible Problems with Medicines: Allergic Reactions: Itching all over the body Swelling, especially in the mouth or throat Wheezing or difficulty in breathing A pounding heart Fainting and unconsciousness

8 Common Allergies

Side Effects: Drowsiness is a common side effect of many antihistamines and cough medicines. Aspirin is another example of a frequently used medicine that can have side effects. One of its side effect is to cause damage to the linking of the stomach. Drugs that contain ibuprofen and related pain relievers can also cause stomach ulcers. Any child or teen who has symptoms of a cold, the fly, chickenpox, or a viral disease that cases a fever should never take aspirin. The combination of aspirin and theses disease can cause or increase the risk of dangerous condition Reye’s (RIEZ) disease. Relatively rare disease that primarily affects children and teens under the age of 16, can cause liver failure, brain damage, syndrome can sometimes be fatal.

Drug Interactions: Drug Interactions occur when a drug reacts with another drug, food, or dietary supplement to increase or decrease the effect of one of the substances. For example, sedatives, tranquilizers, alcohol, and some antihistamines cause drowsiness. Taking any combination of these drugs at the same time could make you very drowsy and decrease your coordination. Driving a car, or doing anything else that requires coordination requires concentration and coordination could be dangerous.

Using Medicines Wisely Make yourself a part of your own healthcare team. Be prepared to ask questions. Learn the facts about any medicine you are going to take. Listen to your body. It’s not always safe to suddenly stop taking a drug. Speak up and enlist your parent’s help.

Quiz: What is the definition of Generic Medicine? What is the government agency that was created to control the safety of food, drugs and cosmetics? List two OTC medicines. List two side effects for allergic reactions. What are four common allergies?

Research Research any type of OTC medicine. Write down the following information: Ingredients Uses Warnings Directions Compare the recommended dose for an adult with the dose for a 8 year old child.