Understanding Drugs and Medications What are drugs? Where do drugs come from? What are the different kinds of drugs and medicines? How do they enter the body? How do you read a prescription and properly use medications?

What are drugs? A substance that causes a change in a person’s physical or psychological state

Where do drugs come from? Natural sources- plants, animals and fungi Chemical laboratory

What are the different kinds of drugs? Medicines: antibiotics, pain killers Drugs legal for everyone: caffeine Drugs legal for adults: alcohol, tobacco Illegal drugs: marijuana, cocaine, heroin

Where do you get drugs? 1.Rx- prescription: a written order from a doctor for a specific medicine 2. OTC- over the counter, bought without a prescription at any store 3. Illegally on the street

Drugs used as medicines: What are the criteria for using them? Any drug that is used to cure, prevent or treat illness or discomfort Effective: good at carrying out its intended purpose Safety: does minimal or small damage or side effect Side effect: a reaction to the body caused by a drug effect that was not intended

How do drugs enter the body? 1.Inhalation: absorbed through the blood vessels in the lungs 2.Ingestion: swallowed and absorbed through the blood vessels in the intestines 3.Injection: injected directly into the blood stream by a needle 4.Implanted pump: surgically implanted pump injects directly into the blood stream 5.Topical application: absorbed through the skin 6.Transdermal patch: packaged into a patch and placed on a specific part of the skin

How does a drug become legal? The FDA Food and Drug Administration was created in 1906 to control the safety of drugs used in the US To develop a new drug for use on the market for Rx or OTC usage the following protocol must be used Testing of the new drug in 5 phases 1.Lab cultures 2.Animals 3.Human volunteers 4.Clinical trials 5.Approval by FDA

What information is on the label of a prescription? Very important to follow the directions and know your medication Dose: How much should you take? Measured amount or pills When: AM, PM, after/before food, etc… How often: 1x, 2x, daily every 6 hours, etc… Length of Time: days/ weeks/ months Expiration date: when the drug should be used by

What information is on the label of a prescription? Continued Side Effects: what symptoms are caused that are not desired Drug/Food Interactions: restrictions that you may have to avoid certain types of food/drugs while taking the medication RX numberDate Rx was filled Name of medication# of Refills Name of patient Pharmacy’s name and address Pharmacist who filled the Rx Directions from the Doctor

What is America’s most popular drug? Caffeine is a stimulant 80-90% of American’s consume some form of caffeine Coffee, tea, cocoa, chocolate, soda Addictive drug Disrupts the normal working brain chemical adenosine, which induces sleep When you consume caffeine it helps you stay alert or awake

What are the types of medicines? ClassificationEffect on the body AnalgesicRelieve pain AntihistamineRelieve minor allergy symptoms AntacidNeutralize stomach acid AntibioticKills bacteria or infection Anti anxietyCalm down nerves BronchodilatorOpen airway

What are the types of medicines? ClassificationEffect on the body HormoneReplacement therapy StimulantIncrease alertness, focus SteroidReduce inflammation SedativeCause sleepiness VaccinePrevent infection

America’s most Popular Drug The coffee industry accounts for over 10 billion dollars a year The soft drink industry accounts for over 50 billion dollars a year