Unit 6: L3- Medication Use and Abuse

Health Education

What is a medication?

• A substance that treats disease or relieves symptoms.

What are the 4 main reasons people use medications?

• Care.

• Manage.

• Prevent.

• Treat.

What organization gives a medicine the approval to distribute?

• Food/Drug Administration (FDA).

What is the difference between over-the-counter medications vs. prescription medications?

Over-the-counter Medications:

• Legally sold without permission.

• Considered safe to use without specific instructions.

• Needs to be taken according to instructions on the label.

  Prescription Medications:

• Legally sold only with permission.

• Determines how much of the medication the patient will need.

• Purchases the medication through a licensed pharmacist.

What are the potential negative health effects of taking medications?

• Drowsiness.

• Hallucinations.

• Dizziness.

• Stomach bleeding.

• Ulcers.

Medication abuse is the use of medication in an unintended or harmful way. Some examples include:

• Sharing with someone else.

• Selling a prescription to someone.

• Taking more than prescribed.

• Combining medications without doctor’s approval.

What can medication abuse lead to?

• Addiction.

• Harms the liver.

• Overdose.

What are the mental consequences of medication abuse?

• Leads to alterations in the brain.

What are the social consequences of medication abuse?

• Harms relationships.

What are the legal consequences of medication abuse?

• Can result in severe penalties.

What are the commonly abused medications?

• Depressants.

• Opioids.

• Stimulants.

• Cold Medications.

• Diet pills.

• Performance Enhancing Drugs (PEDs).