OVER THE COUNTER DRUGS Drugs and Alcohol

What is a Drug? Definition: A substance that has a physiological effect when ingested or otherwise introduced into the body. Use: Taking a drug correctly for a legitimate medical reason. Misuse: Taking a legal drug inappropriately for any reason. Abuse: Taking a legal drug in a manner that endangers the life or well-being of the user. Taking an illegal drug for any reason.

Types of Drugs Over-The-Counter (OTC) Prescription Inhalants Party and Date-rape Drugs Alcohol Tobacco Marijuana Stimulants & Depressents “Hard” drugs  Heroin, Cocaine, Crack, Amphetamines, Crystal Meth, Hallucinogens

FDA Food and Drug Administration  Monitors the safety of cosmetics and food, and the effectiveness of new drugs, medical devices, prescriptions, and OTC drugs Ingredients in legal drugs must be listed as safe and effective by the U.S. FDA

Ways Drugs enter the Body Mouth Injection Inhalation Implantation Absorption  Skin Patch  Suppository  Buccal Absorption  Sublingual absorption  Snorting

Off-Label Drug Use Use of a drug that a physician has prescribed for treatments other than those specified on the label by the FDA. Examples?

Over The Counter Drugs Why are Over The Counter drugs so popular among adolescents? Bell-ringer  What do you think are the most commonly abused over the counter drugs?

Commonly Abused OTC Drugs Cough Medicine  Dextromethorphan (DXM/DM) Cold Medicine  Pseudoephedrine (ingredient in Methamphetamine)

Dextromethorphan Pseudoephedrine DXM can cause effects similar to those of ketamine and PCP because these drugs affect similar sites in the brain. These effects can include impaired motor function, numbness, nausea/vomiting, and increased heart rate and blood pressure. Hypoxic brain damage has occurred due to the combination of DXM with decongestants often found in the medication. Increases wakefulness and physical activity, produces rapid heart rate, irregular heartbeat, and increased blood pressure and body temperature. Long-term use can lead to mood disturbances, violent behavior, anxiety, confusion, insomnia, and severe dental problems. All users, but particularly those who inject the drug, risk infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS and hepatitis. Health Consequences

Monitoring the Future (MTF) Survey Nonmedical use of any prescription drug is reported only for 12th-graders, and in 2008, 15.4 percent reported past-year use. Prescription and OTC medications were the most commonly abused drugs by high school students after marijuana. In addition, they represent 6 of the top 10 illicit drugs reported by 12th-graders.

OTC Drug What over the counter drug has your group chosen? List a few ways a person might misuse this drug. List a few ways a person might abuse this drug.

Caffeine Stimulant Can dangerously increase the effects of other drugs. Symptoms of caffeine abuse can include insomnia, palpitations, tremors, sweating, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, chest paints, and neurologic symptoms

Inhalants Huffing Sniffing Bagging Chemicals that affect mood and behavior when inhaled. Inhalants can be inhaled from balloons, aerosol cans, and other containers.

Types of Inhalants Fingernail Polish remover Furniture polish Gasoline Glue Hairspray Lighter fluid Marker fluid Paint thinner Rubber cement Shoe polish Spray paint Whipped cream Transmission fluid

Health Consequences Irregular heartbeat Difficulty breathing Headaches Damage can be done to  Immune system  Heart  Kidneys  Bone marrow Death Dependence Reduces the ability to make responsible decisions Increases the risk of accidents and violence  Vision  Coordination  Reaction time