1. Medications!!!

2. 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.)

3. 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.

4. 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

5. 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)

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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

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

11. 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.

12. 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

13. 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

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

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

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

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

18. Liquigels
Filled with liquid with a coated shell
Easy to digest

19. Liquid

20. Gel

21. Ampule

22. Vial

23. Suppository

24. Ointments and Creams Designed for external applications
Usually for skin problems

25. Medication Administration Routes

26. Oral/Ingestion

27. Buccal / Sublingual

28. Intravenous (IV) Intraosseous (IO)

29. Intramuscular (IM) Subcutaneous

30. Nasal / Inhalation

31. Rectal

32. Optic / Otic

33. Topical / Transdermal

34. Questions???