You have 5 min…ask three people

1. You have 5 min…ask three people • “What is the first thought that comes to mind when they hear the word drug?”

2. Medicines and drugs How many responses referred to medicines? How many referred to illicit drugs?

3. Definitions • Medicine- drugs that are used to treat or prevent disease or other conditions. • Drugs- substances other than food that change the structure or function of the body or mind. • All medicines are drugs but not all drugs are medicines.

4. Medicines • Four Broad Groups • Help prevent disease • Fight pathogens or infectious agents that cause disease. • Relieve pain • Help maintain or restore health and regulate the body’s systems.

5. 1.Medicines that help prevent disease • Vaccines- a preparation introduced into the body to stimulate an immune response (antibodies). • Antitoxins- extracts of blood fluids that contain antibodies. (tetanus)

6. 2.Medicines that fight pathogens • Antibiotics-work by killing harmful bacteria in the body, or preventing it from reproducing. Bacteria can mutate so that it is no longer affected by the antibiotic. • Antivirals- • Antifungals

7. 3.Medicines that Relieve Pain • Analgesics- range from asprin to morphine • Acetylsalicylic acid • Acetaminophen • Ibuprofen

8. 4.Medicines that Promote Health • -maintain or restore health, enable many people with chronic disease to function at an increased level of wellness • Allergy Medicines • Body regulating Medicines (insulin, inhalers, cardiovascular med.) • Antidepressant and Antipsychotic • Cancer Treatment

9. Medicines and the Body • Meds mix with the chemicals in the body • Side Effects- reaction to medicine other than the one intended. • Patients should always tell dr. about other meds they are taking. • Additive interaction- medicines work together in a positive way • Synergistic Effect- interaction of two meds that results in a greater effect than when taken alone • Antagonistic interaction- effect of one med is canceled or reduced when taken with another.

10. Problems • Tolerance • Body becomes use to the effects • Withdrawal • Occurs when a person stops using a medicine on which he or she has a chemical dependence • Symptoms include nervousness, insomnia, severe headaches, vomiting, chills, cramps

11. Medicine Safety • To minimize risks to the public, the federal gov. has established laws and policies for testing and approving new med. • FDA (food and drug administration) all meds in US must meet standards set. • Chemical composition, intended use, effects, possible side effects • Then they decide how med. Will be released to public.

12. Prescription meds.- FDA has ruled can only be used with the written approval of licensed physician. • Over the counter (OTC)- FDA has stated that it is safe to use these with out medical supervision if used properly.

13. Guidelines • Keep medicine in the container in which it was packaged • Store medicines in safe place out of reach of children • Never disable child-resistant cap • Flush down the toilet any medicines that have passed their expiration date.