unit 1 pt.2 pharm

Agonist vs Antagonist

Agonist	Antagonist
Binds to receptor	Binds to receptor
Activates receptor	Does NOT activate receptor
Produces an effect	Blocks an effect
Turns receptor ON	Turns receptor OFF/blocks it
Mimics natural chemicals	Prevents chemicals from working

• Agonist Drug:

• drug binds and produces an effect

• mimics

• mimetic drugs

• Activate

It attaches and makes something happen.

• Binds to the receptor.

• Activates the receptor.

• Produces an effect in the body.

• Mimics (copies) a natural body chemical.

• Antagonist Drug: 

Blocks the Lock 🚫🔑

• Binds to the receptor.

• It does not activate it.

• Prevents other substances from binding.

• Blocks the effect.

• drugs binds and prevents others substances
  from producing an effect

• blocking drug, blocker, or inhibitor

Against/Block

Competitive antagonism:

When an agonist and antagonist compete for the same receptor, the drug occupying the most receptors determines how much effect is produced.

Agonist and antagonist are fighting for the same receptor .

• Agonist wins → Effect ON ✅

• Antagonist wins → Effect BLOCKED 🚫

• Competitive Antagonism:

What's happening?

If more agonists get the chairs:

• More receptors are activated.

• More drug effect occurs.

If more antagonists get the chairs:

• Receptors are blocked.

• Less drug effect occurs.

The drug that occupies the most receptors wins.

⚠ There is only one chair (receiver) , so they compete for it.

• Dose Response Curve:

As the dose of a drug increases, the effect increases until a maximum effect ( ceiling effect ) is reached. Doses above the ceiling effect do not increase benefits and may cause toxic effects. Potency refers to how much drug is needed to produce an effect. A more powerful drug needs a smaller dose.

Dose-Response Curve (Super Easy Version)

shows what happens when you give more of a drug .

👉 Dose = how much drug you give.
👉 Response = the effect the drug has on the body.

Ceiling Effect (Maximum Response)

At some point, the drug reaches its ceiling effect .

This means:

• The drug is working as much as it possibly can.

• Giving more drug will not increase the desired effect.

Once you hit 100%, you can't go higher.

If you keep increasing the dose after the ceiling effect :

❌ You do not get more benefit.

❌ You may get toxic or harmful side effects .

Potency (Drug Strength)

• Dose Response Curve:

how much drug is needed to produce an effect.

A more powerful drug needs a smaller dose to produce the same effect.

Drug strength 💪

---

Easy Example of Potency

Drug A:

• 5 mg provides pain relief

Drug B:

• 50 mg gives the same pain relief

👉 Drug A is more powerful because it takes less drug to get the same effect.

Time-Plasma Drug Concentration Curve or Time-Response Curve chart

Term	Easy Meaning
Onset of Action	When the drug first starts working 🚀
Duration of Action	How long the drug works ⏰
Metabolism	Body breaks down the drug 🏭
Excretion	Body removes the drug 🗑
Frequency	How often the drug is taken 🔄

Take drug → Starts working (Onset) → Works for a while (Duration) → Body breaks it down (Metabolism) → Body removes it (Excretion) → Take next dose (Frequency). 💊➡⏰➡🗑➡🔄

Time-Plasma Drug Concentration Curve or Time-Response Curve

This graph shows what happens to a drug over time after you take it . ⏰💊

Think of it like this:

When you take a drug, it doesn't work instantly. Item:

1. Starts working

2. Reaches its strongest effect

3. Slowly wears off

Time-Plasma Drug Concentration Curve or Time-Response Curve

Onset of Action

When the Drug Starts Working 🚀

Onset of action = the first observable effect of the drug.

👉 This is the time from taking the drug until you notice it working.

Example:

You take Tylenol at 8:00 AM.

At 8:30 AM your headache starts improving.

➡ Onset of action = 30 minutes

ON Start

• action-first observable effect

Time-Plasma Drug Concentration Curve or Time-Response Curve

Duration of Action

How Long the Drug Works ⏰

he length of time the drug continues to produce its effect.

Example:

• Drug starts working at 8:30 AM

• Drug stops working at 12:30 PM

➡ Duration = 4 hours

Easy Memory Trick:
…. = Duration of the effect

Time-Plasma Drug Concentration Curve or Time-Response Curve

3. Metabolism and Excretion

Drug Leaves the Body 🗑

After the drug works:

Metabolism

• It usually happens in the liver.

• The body breaks down the drugs.

Excretion

• It usually happens through the kidneys and urine.

• The body removes the drug.

As more drug leaves the body:

⬇ Drug level decreases

⬇ Drug effect decreases

Eventually:

❌ Drug stops working

Frequency

Time-Plasma Drug Concentration Curve or Time-Response Curve

How Often You Need Another Dose 🔄

Since the drug level keeps dropping, you may need another dose.

Frequency = how often the drug is given.

Examples:

• Every 4 hours

• Every 6 hours

• Every 12 hours

• Once daily

The goal is to keep enough drug in the body so it continues to work.

Drug Safety

Term	Easy Meaning
FDA	Makes sure drugs work and are safe 🏛
Efficacy	Does the drug work? ✅
Safety	Is the drug safe? 🛡
LD50	Dose that kills 50% of test animals ☠
ED50	Dose that gives 50% of the desired effect ✅
Therapeutic Index (TI)	Safety score of a drug 🛡
High TI	Safer drug ✅
Low TI	More dangerous drug ⚠

FDA asks:

1. Does it work? → Efficacy ✅

2. Is it safe? → Safety 🛡

ED50 = Effective Dose ✅

LD50 = Lethal Dose ☠

TI = Safety Score 🛡

High TI = Good and Safe 👍

Low TI = Be Careful ⚠

Drug Safety

Step 1: What is the FDA? 🏛💊

is the government agency that checks drugs before they can be sold and used.

The FDA wants to know 2 things:

1. Efficacy = Does the drug work? ✅

Efficacy means the drug does what it is supposed to do.

Example:

• A pain medicine should reduce pain.

• An antibiotic should fight infection.

If it doesn't work, the FDA won't approve it.

2. Safety = Is the drug safe? 🛡

The FDA also wants to know:

• What side effects occur?

• What dose is safe?

• What dose is dangerous?

To find out, drugs are tested first in animals and then in humans.

Drug Safety

Step 2: LD50 = Lethal Dose ☠

the dose that kills 50% of the animals tested .

Think:

L = Lethal = Death

Example:

100 mice are given a drug.

If a dose of 500 mg kills 50 of them:

➡ LD50 = 500 mg

The LD50 tells scientists when a drug becomes dangerous.

Step 3: ED50 = Effective Dose ✅

Drug Safety

the dose that produces 50% of the maximum desired effect .

Think:

E = Effective

Example:

A pain medicine can produces a maximum pain relief of 100%.

At 20 mg, patients get 50% of the maximum pain relief.

➡ ED50 = 20 mg

This scientists tells how much drug is needed to work.

---

Step 4: Therapeutic Index (TI) = Safety Score 🛡

Drug Safety

Compare:

• Dangerous dose (LD50)

• Effective dose (ED50)

• TI​=LD50/ED50

High Therapeutic Index = Safer Drug ✅

• Big gap between effective dose and dangerous dose.

• More room for dosing mistakes.

Low Therapeutic Index = Less Safe Drug ⚠

• Effective dose and dangerous dose are close together.

• Must be monitored carefully.

Drug Nomenclature

drug names chart

Term	Easy Meaning
Chemical Name	Scientific drug name 🧪
Generic Name	Official drug name (lowercase) 💊
Trade Name	Brand name (capitalized) 🏷
Prescription Drug	Requires provider's order 📄
OTC Drug	Buy without prescription 🛒
BTC Drug	Pharmacist must assess you first 👨‍⚕

🧪 Chemical = Scientist name

💊 Generic = Official name

🏷 Trade = Brand name

📄 Prescription = Need provider approval

🛒 OTC = Buy yourself

👨‍⚕ BTC = Ask the pharmacist first

Drug Nomenclature 1-2

1. Chemical Name 🧪

This is the drug's scientific name .

• You describe the drug's chemical structure.

• Usually very long and complicated.

• Mostly used by scientists.

Example:

Acetaminophen's chemical name is much longer and harder to remember.

Easy Memory:
🧪 Chemical Name = Scientist Name

---

2. Generic Name 💊

This is the official drug name .

• Usually written in lowercase letters .

• Used by healthcare providers.

• Less expensive than brand names

Example:

acetaminophen

Easy Memory:
💊 Generic = General name

Drug Nomenclature trade name

3. Trade Name (Brand Name) 🏷

This is the name given by the drug company.

• Starts with a capital letter.

• It often has the ® symbol.

• It usually costs more.

Example:

Tylenol®

Generic name = acetaminophen

Trade name = Tylenol®

Easy Memory:
🏷 Trade Name = Store/Brand Name

Type of Name	Example
Chemical Name	Scientific chemical structure 🧪
Generic Name	acetaminophen 💊
Trade Name	Tylenol® 🏷

Drug Nomenclature

Prescription vs Non-Prescription

1. Prescription Drugs 📄

These require a healthcare provider's order.

You cannot just walk into a store and buy them.

Examples:

• Antibiotics

• Blood pressure medications

Easy Memory:
📄 Prescription = Need permission from a provider

---

2. Non-Prescription (OTC) Drugs 🛒

OTC = Over-The-Counter

Can be bought without a prescription.

Examples:

• Tylenol®

• Ibuprofen

• Cough drops

Easy Memory:
🛒 OTC = Grab it off the shelf

Drug Nomenclature

BTC (Behind-The-Counter) 👨‍⚕

These drugs do not need a prescription, BUT you must talk to the pharmacist first.

The pharmacist may check:

• Your age

• Why you need it

• Whether it is appropriate for you

Examples:

• Some cold medicines

• Plan B

Easy Memory:
👨‍⚕ … = Behind the pharmacist's counter

1. Chemical Name 🧪

Drug Nomenclature 2

This is the drug's scientific name .

• You describe the drug's chemical structure.

7-chloro-1,3-dihydro-1-methyl-5-phenyl-2H-1,4-benzodiazepin- 2-one

Drug Nomenclature 2

2. Generic Name 💊

diazepam

This is the drug's official name.

• Used by healthcare providers.

• Written in lowercase.

• Usually less expensive than the brand name.

Easy Memory:

💊 Generic = General name

Drug Nomenclature 2

3. Trade (Brand) Name 🏷

Valium®

This is the name created by the drug company.

• Starts with a capital letter.

• Often has the ® trademark symbol.

• What many people recognize.

Easy Memory:

🏷 Brand Name = Store Name

Drug Nomenclature 2

side by side

Type	Name
Chemical Name	7-chloro-1,3-dihydro-1-methyl-5-phenyl-2H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2-one
Generic Name	diazepam
Brand Name	Valium®

These are all the same drug :

They are NOT three different drugs.

They are just three different names for the same medication .

🧪 Chemical name = scientific name

💊 Diazepam = generic name

🏷 Valium® = brand name

All three names refer to the same drug. ✅

Drug Nomenclature 3

side by side chart

Term	Easy Meaning
Pharmaceutically Equivalent	Same ingredients and strength 🧪
Therapeutically Equivalent	Same effect on the patient 💊
Duration	How long the drug works ⏰
Intensity	How strong the effect is 💪

🧪 Pharmaceutical = Same Product

💊 Therapeutic = Same Effect

Pharmaceutically equivalent drugs contain the same ingredients and strength, while therapeutically equivalent drugs produce the same effect, duration, and intensity in the body. ✅

What's the Difference?

Pharmaceutically Equivalent

vs

Therapeutically Equivalent

Pharmaceutically Equivalent

Focuses on:

➡ What's inside the drug

• Same ingredients

• Same strength

• Same quality

Therapeutically Equivalent

Focuses on:

➡ What the drug does

• Same effect

• Same strength of effect

• Same length of effect

1. Pharmaceutically Equivalent 🧪

This means the drugs have the:

✅ Same ingredients

✅ Same strength

✅ Same quality

✅ Same purity

Example

Tylenol®

• 500 mg acetaminophen

Generic acetaminophen

• 500 mg acetaminophen

Both contain the same drug and the same amount.

➡They are pharmaceutically equivalent

Same Stuff Inside

2. Therapeutically Equivalent 💊

This means the drugs produce the:

✅ Same effect

✅ Same duration (how long they work)

✅ Same intensity (how strong they work)

Example

You take:

• Tylenol® 500 mg

• Generic acetaminophen 500 mg

Both:

• Relieve pain

• Reduce fever

• Work about the same length of time

➡They are therapeutically equivalent

Same Result.

Drug References

side by side

Drug Reference	Easy Meaning
USP/NF	Official government-recognized drug list 🏛
AHFS	Hospital drug information database 🏥
PDR	Doctor's drug handbook 👨‍⚕
Drug Facts & Comparisons	Frequently updated drug comparison guide 🔄
Handbook of Nonprescription Drugs	OTC medication guide 🛒

🏛 USP/NF = Official list

🏥 AHFS = Hospital information

👨‍⚕ PDR = Doctor's reference

🔄 Drug Facts & Comparisons = Updated monthly

🛒 Handbook of Nonprescription Drugs = OTC guide

All of these are drug reference books/databases that help healthcare providers find accurate information about medications, including their uses, dosages, side effects, safety, and quality. 💊📚✅

Drug References (Easy Version) 📚💊

are books or databases that healthcare providers use to look up information about medications.

Think of them as drug encyclopedias or drug textbooks .

1. USP/NF

Drug References

United States Pharmacopeia / National Formulary

This is the official government-recognized drug list

It helps make sure drugs meet quality standards.

What it does:

✅ Lists approved drugs

✅ Sets standards for drug quality and purity

✅ Updated every year

Easy Memory:

🏛 … = Official Drug Rule Book

• Official drug list recognized by the government, updated annually

2. American Hospital Formulary Service (AHFS)

Drug References

This is a detailed drug information database.

Hospitals use it to find reliable information about medications.

What it includes:

✅ Drug uses

✅ Side effects

✅ Drug interactions

✅ Research and evidence

✅ Updated regularly

Easy Memory:

🏥 … = Hospital Drug Information Book

• drug information database

detailed drug info, evidence-based foundation for safe and effective drug therapy; regular electronic updates, reprinted annually

3. PDR (Physicians' Desk Reference)

Drug References

One of the most commonly used drug references by healthcare providers.

What it includes:

✅ What the drug is used for (indications)

✅ Dosages

✅ How to give the drug

✅ Contraindications (when NOT to use it)

✅ Adverse reactions (side effects)

✅ Updated yearly

most widely used by healthcare providers for the use of drugs in medical practice, updated yearly, use/indications, dosing, administration, contraindications, adverse reactions

Easy Memory:

👨‍⚕ … = Doctor's Drug Handbook

4. Drug Facts & Comparisons

Drug References

Provides very current drug information.

Updated more often than many other references.

What it includes:

✅ Drug information

✅ Drug comparisons

✅ New updates

✅ Updated monthly

• updated monthly, most current drug info on a regular basis
  

Easy Memory:

🔄 Drug Facts & Comparisons = Most Frequently Updated Drug Reference

5. Handbook of Nonprescription Drugs

Focuses on OTC (Over-the-Counter) medications.

What it includes:

✅ Pain relievers

✅ Cold medicines

✅ Allergy medicines

✅ Other OTC drugs

Easy Memory:

🛒 Handbook of Nonprescription Drugs = OTC Drug Guide

Pregnancy Safety Categories (Easy Version) 🤰💊

These categories were used by the FDA to describe how safe a drug might be during pregnancy .

Think of the letters like a safety scale:

🟢 A = Safest, No known risk to fetus

🟡 B ​​= Probably Safe, Safe in animals, not enough studies in women

🟠 C = Use Caution, Some risk seen in animals, use caution

🔴 D = Known Risk, Known fetal risk, but may be needed

⛔X = Never Use in Pregnancy, Causes fetal harm, never use in pregnancy

Pregnancy Safety Categories

Category A 🟢

No known risk

Studies in pregnant women show:

✅ No harm to the baby in the first trimester

✅ No evidence of risk later in pregnancy

no risk to fetus in first trimester (no evidence of risk in later trimesters

Easy Memory

A = All Good ✅

Safest category.

Pregnancy Safety Categories

Category B 🟡

Animal studies look safe

Animal studies show:

✅ No harm to the fetus

But:

⚠ Not enough studies in pregnant women

•  animal studies indicate no risk to fetus (no adequate studies in women)
  
  

Easy Memory

B = Believe it's safe, but not fully proven in women

Pregnancy Safety Categories

Category C 🟠

Some risks seen in animals

Animal studies show:

⚠ Possible harm to the fetus

No adequate studies in pregnant women.

Sometimes the drug is still used if:

✅ The benefit to the mother is greater than the risk to the baby.

 animal studies indicate some risk to fetus; benefits may outweigh risks (no adequate studies in women)

Easy Memory

C = Caution

Risk may exist.

Pregnancy Safety Categories

Category D 🔴

Known fetal risk

Studies show:

❌ Risk to the fetus exists

However:

Sometimes the drug is still needed for serious conditions.

The benefit may outweigh the risk.

Example

A life-threatening condition where the mother needs treatment.

•  studies show positive fetal risk; in some cases benefits may outweigh risks

Easy Memory

D = Danger, but sometimes necessary

Category X ⛔

Never use during pregnancy

Studies show:

❌ Fetal abnormalities

❌ Harm to the fetus

❌ Birth defects

The risks are greater than any possible benefit.

These drugs are considered:

Teratogenic = harmful to the embryo or fetus.

Easy Memory

• studies show fetal abnormalities and fetal risk; risks clearly outweigh benefits (teratogenic-harmful to fetus/embryo)

X = excluded from pregnancy

Never use if pregnant.

What Does "Teratogenic" Mean?

Toxic to the baby

Additional Labeling Information

• A 2015 FDA rule requiring more detailed pregnancy and breastfeeding information on prescription drug labels. It applies to many drugs marketed after June 29, 2001, but does not apply to OTC (over-the-counter) medications. ✅

• Passed in 2015 by the FDA for drugs placed on the market beginning June 29, 2001

• OTC meds are excluded

After 2015

Instead of just giving a letter, drug labels give more detailed information .

They explain things like:

✅ Risks during pregnancy

✅ Risks while breastfeeding

✅ Information about having children (reproductive effects)

Additional Labeling Info 2 side by side chart

Section	Easy Meaning
🤰 Pregnancy	Effects on pregnant mom and baby
🍼 Lactation	Effects during breastfeeding
👶 Reproductive Potential	Effects on fertility, pregnancy testing, and birth control
⚠ Risk Summary	Main risks
👩‍⚕ Clinical Considerations	Important provider information
📊 Supporting Data	Research and evidence

1. Pregnancy 🤰 (includes L&D)

"If a pregnant woman takes this drug, what could happen?"

It tells healthcare providers:

✅ Is the drug safe during pregnancy?

✅ Could it harm the baby (fetus)?

✅ Does the dose need to be changed during pregnancy?

✅ What have studies shown in pregnant women?

✅ What risks and benefits are known?

"What happens if I'm pregnant?"

risks to the mother and fetus.

Easy Memory

🤰 …. Section = Effects on Mom and Baby During Pregnancy

2. Lactation (Breastfeeding) 🍼 (includes nursing mothers)

“Can a mother safely breastfeed while taking this drug?"

It tells healthcare providers:

✅ Does the drug enter breast milk?

✅ How much of the drug gets into the milk?

✅ Could it affect the baby?

✅ When should the mother breastfeed to reduce the baby's exposure?

✅ What are the risks and benefits?

Easy Example

A mother takes medicine at 8 AM.

The label may explain:

➡ Wait a certain amount of time before breastfeeding to lower the amount reaching the baby.

Easy Memory

🍼 …. Section = Drug and Breast Milk Information

3. Male and Female Reproductive Potential 👶

This section answers:

"Can this drug affect fertility, pregnancy, or birth control?"

It tells healthcare providers:

✅ Could the drug make it harder to get pregnant?

✅ Could it increase pregnancy loss?

✅ Is pregnancy testing needed?

✅ Is birth control needed before, during, or after taking the drug?

Easy Example

Some drugs can harm a baby if pregnancy occurs.

The label may say:

➡ Use birth control while taking this medication.

Easy Memory

"Can this affect fertility, pregnancy, or birth control?"

👶 … Potential = Effects on Fertility and Pregnancy Planning

Controlled Substances

Schedule I-V (CI-CV) side by side chart

Schedule	Abuse Potential	Medical Use?	Examples
I	Highest 🚫	No	Heroin, LSD
II	High ⚠	Yes	Morphine, Codeine, Amphetamines
III	Moderate	Yes	Codeine combinations
IV	Low	Yes	Valium®, Ambien®
V	Lowest 👍	Yes	Some cough and diarrhea medications narcotics antitussives, antidiarrheals

Controlled Substance Schedules (CI–CV) 💊

The government puts certain drugs into Schedules I–V based on:

1. Medical Use 🏥

Does the drug have an accepted medical use?

2. Abuse Potential ⚠

How likely is the drug to be misused or become addictive?

As the schedule number goes UP:

⬇ Abuse potential goes DOWN

⬆ Safety generally goes UP

Schedule I = Highest abuse risk

Schedule V = Lowest abuse risk

Schedule I (CI) 🚫

Controlled Substances

Highest abuse potential

❌ Not accepted for medical use

Examples:

• Heroin

• LSD

Easy Memory:

I = Illegal medical use

(Not accepted medical use)

Controlled Substances

Schedule II (C-II) ⚠

High abuse potential

✅ Accepted medical use

Examples:

• Morphine

• Codeine

• Amphetamines

These drugs are useful medically but can be very addictive.

Easy Memory:

II = Important medicine but high abuse risk

Controlled Substances

Schedule III (C-III)

Moderate abuse potential

✅ Accepted medical use

Examples:

• Some codeine combination products

• (codeine combo drugs)

Less abuse potential than Schedule II.

Easy Memory:

III = In the middle

Moderate risk.

Schedule IV (C-IV)

Controlled Substances

Low abuse potential

✅ Accepted medical use

Examples:

• Valium®

• Ambien®

Less likely to be abused than Schedule III.

Easy Memory:

IV = Lower abuse risk

Schedule V (CV) 👍

Lowest abuse potential

✅ Accepted medical use

Examples:

• Some cough medicines (antitussives)

• Some antidiarrheal medications

narcotics antitussives, antidiarrheals)

These have the least potential for abuse.

Easy Memory:

V = Very low abuse risk

Dependence, Tolerance, Addiction

side by side

Term	Easy Meaning
Physical Dependence	Body has symptoms without the drug 🏃
Psychological Dependence	Mind has symptoms without the drug 🧠
Tolerance	Need more drug for same effect 📈
Addiction	Can't stop using the drug ⚠

🏃 Physical Dependence = Body symptoms

🧠 Psychological Dependence = Mental symptoms

📈 Tolerance = Need more

⚠ Addiction = Can't stop using

Body misses it = Physical
Mind misses it = Psychological
Need more = Tolerance
Can't stop = Addiction ✅

1. Physical Dependence 🏃

What it means:

The body has gotten used to the drug.

If the person suddenly stops taking it, the body reacts physically .

Physical symptoms:

• Tremors (shaking)

• Abdominal cramps (stomach pain)

• Sweating

• Convulsions (seizures)

Easy Memory:

👉 … Dependence = Body Symptoms

Your body misses the drug .

Example:

A person takes a drug every day.

They suddenly stop

Now they are:

• Shaking

• Sweating

• Having stomach cramps

➡ Physical dependence

2. Psychological Dependence 🧠

What it means:

The mind/brain feels like it needs the drug.

If the person stops taking it, they experience emotional or mental symptoms.

Psychological symptoms:

• Anxiety

• Stress

• Strain

• Feeling nervous

Easy Memory:

👉 … Dependence = Mind Symptoms

Your mind misses the drug .

Example:

A person stops taking a drug.

Their body feels okay, but they feel:

• Very anxious

• Stressed

• Nervous

➡ … dependence

3. Tolerance 📈

What it means:

The drug doesn't work as well as it is used to.

The body becomes used to it.

Now the person needs more drugs to get the same effect.

Example:

At first:
💊 1 pill relieves pain.

Later:
💊💊 2 pills are needed for the same pain relief.

Why does this happen?

The body gets better at breaking down (metabolizing) the drugs.

So the drug doesn't stay around as long.

Easy Memory:

👉 … = Need More

4. Addiction ⚠

What it means:

A person becomes dependent on a drug and cannot control its use.

They continue using it even when it causes problems.

Easy Memory:

👉 … = Can't Stop Using It

---

Example:

A person keeps taking a drug even though it:

• It hurts their health

• Causes problems at school/work

• Causes problems with family

They feel compelled to keep using it.

Compulsive use

⚠ Can't stop using it

National Drug Overdoses

📅 Between 1999 and 2017, drug overdose deaths increased.

⚠ In 2017, more than 70,200 people died from overdoses .

💊 Fentanyl and fentanyl-like drugs caused the biggest increase in deaths.

⚠ More than 28,400 overdose deaths were related to fentanyl or fentanyl analogs.

📊 The information came from the CDC , which tracks health statistics.

⚠ Over 70,200 people died from drug overdoses in 2017 .

That's the total number of all drug overdoses combined.

1-Sentence Study Version

The figure shows that drug overdose deaths increased from 1999 to 2017, and fentanyl-related overdoses caused the largest increase, contributing to more than 28,400 deaths in 2017. ✅