Medicine can be delivered to body in many different ways. 1. Oral-by mouth 2. Topical- applied to skin 3. Inhaled- fine mist or powder 4. Injected- by shot into blood stream

Medicines can have side effects- reactions to medicine other that what was intended

When medicines are taken together or when a med is take with certain foods the combo may have different effect than when taken alone. This is called a Drug Interaction.

Additive interaction- when meds work together in a positive way. Ex.: an anti- inflammatory and muscle relaxant may be prescribed to treat joint pain

Synergistic effect- 2 or more meds that result in a greater effect than when each is taken alone-when one med increases the effect of another.

Antagonistic interaction- occurs when one med is cancelled or reduced when taken with another. Ex.: if using an antibiotic - some birth control pills do not work as intended.

When some one takes a med for a long time = body gets used to it and problems may occur.

Tolerance- body get used to med and needs more of it to have same effect. Sometimes reverse tolerance is also experienced

With drawl- a person may become physically or psychologically dependent