DRUGS and MEDICINE Chapter 19

Vocabulary Medicine – drugs that are used to treat or prevent diseases or other conditions. Drugs – substances other than food that change the structure or function of the body or mind

TYPES Prevent Disease Relieve pain and other symptoms Fight Pathogens Manage chronic conditions, help maintain or restore health, and regulate body systems

Preventing Disease Vaccines – a preparation that prevents a person from contracting a specific disease. Contain dead or weakened pathogens. Some administered periodically, and others annually. Antitoxins – fight bacteria that produce substances toxic to the body.

Fighting Pathogens Antibiotics – class of drug that destroys disease-causing microorganisms, called bacteria. Bacteria can become resistant when antibiotics or overused or not taken to completion. Antivirals and Antifungals – used to treat illness and symptoms brought on by viruses or fungi.

Relieving Pain Analgesics – pain relievers Mild like aspirin to strong narcotics like codeine or morphine. Narcotics can be addictive and will require a doctor’s prescription.

Managing Chronic Conditions Allergy Medicines Antihistamines reduce symptoms. Antidepressants/Antipsycho tic Suffering from mental illness Body-Regulating Insulin Asthma control Cardiovascular medicines Cancer Treatment Reduce cell growth and help stop the spread of cancer.

Reactions 1) Side Effect – reactions to medicine other than the intended one. 2) Additive Interaction – medicines work together in a positive way. 3) Synergistic Effect – interaction of two or more medicines that results in a greater effect than when each medicine is taken alone. 4) Antagonistic interaction – effect of one medicine is canceled or reduced when taken with another medicine.

Prescription Medicines – dispensed only with the written approval of a licensed physician or nurse- practitioner. Over-the-Counter (OTC) – medicines you can buy without a doctor’s prescription.

Medicine Misuse 1) Medicine Misuse – using a medicine in ways other than the intended one. 2) Medicine Abuse – intentionally taking medicine for nonmedical reasons. 3) Drug Overdose – a strong, sometimes fatal reaction to taking a large amount of a drug.