Part 1: The Role of Medicine Part 2: Using Medicine Wisely Laura Copeland Chelsey Lindbloom Rick Ligon Gabrielle Marrah Alicia McMahon

Audience Demographics For this presentation the audience are senior citizens, 50 years of age or over.

Part 1: The Role of Medicine

A substance that when taken internally or applied to the body, helps treat, prevent, or cure a disease, disorder, or other medical problem. Medication

Medication Classification A medication is classified according to its effects on the body There are 4 broad classifications – – Prevent Disease – – Fight Pathogens – – Treat Cardiovascular Disease – – Relieve Pain

Considered by many to be the most effective way of preventing infectious diseases Prevent diseases before they even occur Two types… Prevent Disease

Two important vaccines: Flu/Influenza – – Flu Season is annually from October to March – – The vaccine changes every season – – You can get your vaccine at your doctor’s office, a clinic, the Health Department, or Publix Type 1: Vaccines

Pneumonia – – Prevents bacteria from causing pneumonia – – Lasts 5 years – – You can get the vaccine at your Dr. office, a clinic, the Health Department, or Publix Vaccines Cont…

Type 2: Antitoxins Contain antibodies from blood extracts Proven to act more quickly than vaccines When injected, neutralize the effect of toxins

Fight Pathogens Called Antibiotics – – By Prescription – – Can be taken by mouth, on the skin, injection, or intravenously – – Take entire prescribed course even if you are feeling better!

Medicine that helps the heart regulate blood pressure Five main types: – – Clot-dissolving medicines – – Beta Blockers – – Vasodilators – – Diuretics – – Antiarrhythmics Cardiovascular Medicines

Pain relievers range from narcotics such as codeine to mild pain relievers such as aspirin. Which pain relievers work best? Relieve Pain

PositiveNegative Aspirin: anti-inflammatory limited amount of relief reduces blood clotting can irritate stomach can prevent heart attack, stroke easy to take too much Acetaminophen: well tolerated by the stomachnot an anti-inflammatory good for burns, bruises, sprainsno anticoagulant effects good for bruises and sprainscommon for allergies to exist few people are intolerant can irritate stomach anti-inflammatory (anticoagulant)recommended intake with food 650 mg 1000 mg 400 mg Ibuprofen

Medication and Your Body Everyone reacts differently to medications You can have a different reaction to any medication at any time no matter how long you have been taking it

factors that contribute to the body’s interaction with a medicine include: – – Body weight – – Body chemistry – – Other medications being taken – – Individual metabolism – – Eating different foods

Common Terms Side Effect – – Reaction to a medicine other than the one intended Tolerance – – A condition in which the body becomes used to the effect of a medicine Withdrawal – – The process that occurs when a person stops using a medicine/substance to which he/she has a physiological dependence

Drug Interaction Additive Interaction – – Occurs when medicines work together in a positive way Antagonistic Effect – – Interaction of 2 or more medicines – – One cancels or reduces the strength of the other Synergistic Effect – – Interaction of 2 or more medicines – – One increases the strength of the other

Drug Interaction Activity! Every participant will receive a handful of skittles Each color skittle represents a specific brand and dosage of drug We will learn about the dangers of mixing drugs together or with alcohol

What The Colors Represent Red Red – Heart Pink Pink – Blood Pressure Purple Purple – Memory Blue Blue – Respiratory Yellow Yellow – Urinary Green Green – Antibiotics Orange Orange – Pain

MIX YOUR DRUGS!

Organizational Tools

Part 2: Using Medicine Wisely

A Government agency known as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Deems the Drugs to be safe and effective for the public to use. How do drugs reach the store?

Prescription Medications Generally stronger and have more potential harm Can only be used with written approval of licensed physician Only licensed Pharmacists can give them

Over-The-Counter Medications Over the counter (OTC) medicines can be used without a prescription Generally weaker and safer to use than prescription medicines Still have the potential of being harmful

“HOW DO I USE IT?” Proper Use of Medication:  Know what active ingredients you are taking  Follow the prescribed or recommended amount  Know how often you should be taking it All medication should have a “directions” section.

Why finish? Reasons to finish your prescribed course of medicine: You will feel better before the illness is gone You will build resistance to the medicine if not taken properly The dosage and length is how the drug designed to fight the disease. Because, really… the doctor knows best

Don’t Forget To Take Your Medications

Brand Name vs. Generic Name Medication A B 2 C3 1

Misuse and Abuse Common examples include:  Mixing medicine  Sharing your Rx medicine  Taking too much or too little  Taking someone else’s medicine  Taking the medicine for too long or for too short

Review 1. 1.Medications are classified according to what? a. a.Their effects on the body b. b.Their cost c. c.Availability d. d.Ease of Use

Review 2. 2.Which of the following are the two examples of important vaccines from the presentation? a. a.Influenza & Rubella b. b.Rubella & Pneumonia c. c.Pneumonia & Influenza d. d.Flu & Acetaminophen

Review 3. 3.Which of the following has no anticoagulant effects? a. a.Aspirin b. b.Ibuprofen c. c.Tylenol d. d.Advil

Review 4. 4.Which of the following are not examples of how someone could misuse medications? a. a.Mixing medicine b. b.Taking too much or too little c. c.Taking some over the counter medications for a headache d. d.Taking someone else’s medicine