Understanding

Drugs and Medicines

1. What is the difference between a drug and a medicine?

Drugs are substances that cause a change in a person’s physical and/or psychological state.

Medicines are drugs that are used to cure, prevent or treat illnesses or discomfort

2. What is a side effect? What are some common side effects of medicines?

• An effect caused by a drug other then the intended effect

• Common side effects are headaches, sleepiness, diarrhea, nausea

3. What is the difference between prescription drugs and over the counter drugs?

A written order from a doctor for a specific

medicine.

Medicines that can be bought without a

prescription.

PRESCRIPTION

Over-the-counter (OTC)

What do the following types of common

medications do for our

body?

• They relieve pain

Three Types: Aspirin

    Acetaminophen Ibuprofen

Analgesics

• They block the action of the chemical, histamine, which causes allergy symptoms

ANTIHISTAMINES

• They work against stomach acids which can cause heartburn

ANTACIDS

How do drugs enter your body?

InjectionThe drug is injected by a

hypodermic needle.

Implanted Pumps Surgically implanted

specialized pumps inject drugs directly into a specific

part of the body.

InhalationThe drugs enter the body

through blood vessels in the lungs when it is inhaled.

How do drugs enter your body?

Transdermal Patches

(Absorption)The drug is packaged into patches that are placed on

the skin

IngestionThe drug is swallowed and absorbed

through blood vessels in the intestines.

Topical ApplicationThe drug is applied directly to certain areas

of the body and absorbed into the skin.

Prescription Medicines

•What information does a prescription have?

•The medication•The dose•When you should take the medicine•How often you should take the medicine•The length of time you should take the medicine

5. What is the difference between a generic medicine and a brand name medicine?

• Generic drugs are made by a company other than the company that developed the original medicine.

• They are chemically identical to the original drug and have the same active ingredients.

• The difference may be in the inactive ingredients, things that give the pill it’s shape, color, size.

6. Allergic reactions can range from very mild to life threatening.

• Anaphylactic Shock – effects the entire body including itching all over, swelling, especially in the mouth and throat, wheezing or difficulty breathing, pounding heart, fainting and unconsciousness.

What is the most serious allergic reaction called and what are the symptoms of it?

7. What are drug interactions?

• Happens when drugs react with another drug, food or dietary supplement.

• Could increase (SYGERGISM) or decrease the effect of a drug.