DRUGS AND MEDICINES
*What makes a drug a medicine?
*Why are certain drugs considered “drugs of abuse”?
*Effects on the body
DRUG VS. MEDICINE
Drug
• Any substance that
causes change in
person’s physical or
psychological state
• Drugs can have
different effects or 1
specific effect
Medicine
• Used to cure,
prevent, or treat
discomfort
• Must have these 3
Effectiveness (good at carrying
out its task)
Safety (safe when used as
directed)
Minor side effects
“DRUGS OF ABUSE”
Drugs that people take for mind-altering
effects that have no medical purpose.
Examples include cocaine, alcohol, and
marijuana…………..Can you think of any
others?
WHERE DO DRUGS COME FROM?
All drugs contain
chemicals!!
*Natural sourcesplants, animals,
fungi.
*Created in
laboratories.
TYPES OF MEDICINES…
Analgesic-
Antihistamine-
relieves pain
Relieves minor
(acetaminophen) allergy
symptoms
(Nasonex)
Antacid-
Antibiotic-
Neutralizes
stomach acid
(Tums, Pepcid
AC)
Kills bacteria to
cure infections
(penicillin)
Anti-inflammatory-
Hormone-
Stimulant-
Anti-anxiety-
Reduces
inflammation of
skin
Work differently
(insulin)
Increases
alertness
(caffeine)
Helps those who
are extremely
nervous to calm
down
(?)
Vaccine-
Bronchodilator-
Sedative-
Prevents
infections
(Gardasil, Flu)
Opens airways
for breathing
(?)
Causes
sleepiness
(Lunesta)
(cortisone cream)
OTC VS. PRESCRIPTION
Over the Counter (OTC)
Medicines that can be
bought without a
prescription.
Prescription
Requires written order
from a doctor.
EXAMPLES???
EXAMPLES???
WHAT CAN MEDICINES DO?
“CURE”
“PREVENT”
“RELIEVE”
HOW DO DRUGS ENTER OUR BODY?
• INGESTION- swallowed
• INHALATION- inhaled and
enters lungs
• INJECTION- hypodermic
needle
• TRANSDERMAL PATCHESplaced on skin
• IMPLANTED PUMPSsurgically implanted
• TOPICAL APPLICATIONapplied directly to area and
absorbed through skin
FDA
•
•
•
1.
2.
3.
4.
Created in 1906
Controls safety of food, drugs, and
cosmetics
Approval process
Initial testing; may include chemical tests
1st tests on human volunteers
Once passed 1st tests, clinical trials begin;
tested on humans who have the illness the
drug is meant to treat.
If safe and effective, FDA will approve.
PRESCRIPTION
•
•
•
•
Info on a prescription
Dosage (how much you
should take)
When
How often
Length of time
Why follow a prescription?
Can you misuse prescriptions?
OTC
• Generic medicine- made
by a company other
than the company that
developed the original
drug.
• Active ingredientchemical component
that gives medicine its
action
What are the benefits of
OTC’s?
Can you misuse OTC’s?
HERBAL REMEDIES & DIETARY
SUPPLEMENTS
Thought is that they are safer because
they are “natural”, however DOES NOT
mean it’s safer!!
Some of the most toxic compounds
known are completely natural!
Name 1 significance that makes “herbal
remedies” and “dietary supplements”
different from all other medicines.
PROBLEMS????
Allergic reactions
 Itching all over body
 Swelling
 Wheezing or difficulty
breathing
 Pounding heart
 Fainting
 Unconsciousness
What is the most severe
form of shock?
Affects almost the entire body!
Drug interaction- drug reacts
with another drug, food, DS.
DRUGS CAN AFFECT?????
•
•
•
•
•
•
EMOTIONS
VISION
REFLEXES
SPEECH
JUDGEMENT
COORDINATION
THE PATH TO ADDICTION
DRUG USE TOLERANCE
DEPENDENCE
User needs User
Activates
brain reward more of the experience
withdrawal
drug to
system
symptoms
produce
(pleasure
same effect. once he/she
system)
stops using.
ADDICTION
User has lost
control of
drug-taking
habit.
OTHER TERMS….
• Tolerance- develops after repeated drug use
when user finds that it takes more to feel same
effect.
• Physical dependence- body relies on a given
drug in order to function normally.
• Psychological dependence- emotionally and
mentally needing a drug in order to function
normally.
• Withdrawal- uncomfortable physical and
psychological symptoms produced when drug user
stops using.
WARNING SIGNS OF ADDICTION
• Loss of interest in schoolwork
• Dramatic change of appearance
• Change of friends
• Unexplained mood swings
• Absences from school
• Dramatic change in eating habits
• Excessive secretiveness
• Lying
• Unexplained need for money
Can addiction be treated?
Many people believe that addicts use for the rest of
their life….not true. Fighting addiction is not easy, but
many free themselves from addiction everyday.
Treatment programs, and counseling help addicts.
There is 1 foolproof way to avoid addiction……….
DON’T START!!