Lesson: Using Medicines Wisely Understanding Medicine Lesson: Using Medicines Wisely By: Kemi Dada, Kathy Lertsuwankul, Ashley Sansaricq, Scotty Pepper, Terri Keith, and Karen Hamilton

Medicinal Safety Measures

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) The FDA is in charge of establishing: Required drugs Process of drugs Market distribution policy Regulation laws

Percentage of people and drug use

Types of Medicinal Drugs Prescription drugs Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs Illicit Drugs Dietary Supplements Not regulated by the FDA

Prescription Drugs A doctor must write a prescription to obtain these drugs. Examples: Xanax, OxyContin, Valium and Adderal

Prescription Drug Use Among Kids Video

Over-the-counter (OTC) Drugs you can buy at your local drug store or supermarket Examples: anything from aspirin and sunscreens to anti-dandruff shampoo

Illicit Drugs Drugs that are illegal Examples: Marijuana, Cocaine and Heroin

Dietary Supplements Drugs that may help enhance your body but are not regulated by the FDA. Examples: many vitamins and minerals, amino acid pills, Creatine

The Controlled Substance Act of 1970 Classification of medicine due to use and potential of abuse

Schedule I Drugs with a high tendency for abuse and no accepted medical use Examples: Marijuana, Heroin, Ecstasy and LSD

Schedule II Drugs with a high tendency for abuse but may have some medical use, easily produce addiction with chronic use Examples: Cocaine, Opium, Morphine, Amphetamines and Methamphetamines

Schedule III Drugs that have less potential for abuse or addiction than drugs in the first two schedules and have a currently accepted medical use Examples: Anabolic steroids, Codeine, Ketamine, and Hydrocodone with Aspirin

Schedule IV Drugs that have a low potential for abuse, a currently accepted medical use, and a low chance for addiction Examples: Valium, Xanax, Phenobarbital, and Rohypnol (Date Rape Drug)

Schedule V Drugs that have a lower chance of abuse than Schedule IV drugs, have a currently accepted medical use in the US, and lesser chance or side effects of dependence compared to Schedule IV drugs Examples: cough suppressants with Codeine. Schedule V drugs are regulated but generally do not require a prescription

Misuse vs. Abuse

Drug Misuse Using drugs for purposes other than originally intended

Drug Abuse Used in a manner, amounts, or situation such that the drug use causes problems or increases the chances of problems occurring

Labeling What do these mean?

Medicine Safety Tips

Things to remember… Throw away expired medicines Effectiveness is lost Potentially dangerous if ingested

Things to remember… Never place medicine in unlabeled containers

Things to remember… Keep away from children Store in an out of reach place Don’t tamper or disable the child-resistant cap on the medicine container