1. Medicine Safety

2. Monica is on the swim team and has an earache
Monica is on the swim team and has an earache. She visits her doctor, who prescribes an antibiotic. Monica is supposed to take the medicine for ten days. Her friend Amy, who is also on the swim team, thinks she may have an ear infection, too. Amy doesn’t want to go to the doctor, though, so she asks Monica if she can share her medicine.

3. Essential Question
What are some medicine misuses? Why do individuals misuse their medicine?

4. Self-Management Demonstrate habits that contribute to health
Describe or demonstrate specific first aid and safety techniques
Identify strategies to avoid or manage unhealthy or dangerous situations
List the steps in the correct order if there is one

5. Basically…
MAKE HEALTHY CHOICES!

6. FDA – Food & Drug Administration
To minimize risks to the public the federal government established laws and policies for testing and approving new medicines. This branch of government is called the Food and Drug Administration or (FDA).
The FDA decides how the medicine should be released if it passes all the standards of their testing.

7. Distribution
Prescriptions – FDA has ruled that certain medicines cannot be used without a written prescription by a licensed doctor and filled by a licensed pharmacist.
Over the Counter medicines (OTC) – this group includes a wide variety of medicines that do not require prescriptions and must be used following directions because they could pose harmful effects if taken improperly.
When the FDA approves a medicine it is saying that the medicine is safe if used as directed and also that it is effective against that certain ailment.

8. Medicine Misuse – taking medicines unnecessarily or without following instructions
Medicines can promote health and prevent disease if used properly and taken as listed by the directions
Examples:
giving a prescription medicine to a person for whom it was not prescribed or taking another person’s medicine
taking too much or too little of a medicine or taking a medicine for a longer or shorter period than prescribed
discontinuing medicine without informing the health care professional
mixing medicines

9. Abuse & Overdose
Medicine abuse - Intentionally taking medications for non-medical reasons
Drug overdose – strong, sometimes fatal, reaction to taking a large amount of a drug

10. Reasons for misuse To fit in with peers To receive a “high”
To lose weight
To fit in with peers
Pill/”pharm” parties
To receive a “high”
Monetary benefits
Using someone’s pain pills to treat your own pain without a doctor’s permission; giving someone else your own medication

11. OTC Label Worksheet Form groups of 2-3 with partners of your choice.
Each group will be given a worksheet to complete
Every group member’s name must be on the worksheet in order to receive credit
Choose an empty medicine container from the front of the room to complete the worksheet
Turn the worksheet into the basket before you leave!

12. Homework: Drugs & Medicines Worksheet
Essential Question
What are some medicine misuses? Why do individuals misuse their medicine?
Homework: Drugs & Medicines Worksheet