Medicine & Drug Safety: Comprehensive Study Notes
key definitions,
drug, any substance that changes how your body or mind works, like making you sleepy or changing your mood
not all drugs are medicine, for example, illegal street drugs are drugs but they dont help you get well
medicine, a type of drug thats made to help you with your health
medicines can,
stop you from getting sick
fight off bad germs
make pain go away
help you get better or stay healthy
just remember, all medicine is a drug, but not all drugs are medicine
medicines to help prevent sickness,
vaccines, these are shots that give your body a tiny, safe bit of a germ, like a practice drill
your body learns to fight it off, so if you meet the real germ later, youre ready
think of your usual shots you get as a kid
medicines that fight infections,
antibiotics, these medicines kill bad bacteria or stop them from growing
they work on things like strep throat or sinus infections
but they dont work on viruses, like a cold or the flu
antivirals, these medicines slow down viruses
they cant completely kill a virus, but they help manage long lasting virus problems, like hiv
antifungals, these medicines get rid of fungus problems, like athletes foot
medicines for pain and long term health problems,
pain medicine, these can be mild pills you buy at the store or stronger ones your doctor gives you
like acetaminophen or ibuprofen for headaches, or even stronger ones like morphine for big pain
allergy medicine, these stop sniffles, itchy eyes, and runny noses from allergies
body regulating medicine,
like insulin shots for people with diabetes to keep their sugar levels normal
inhalers for asthma to help you breathe easier
heart medicine to keep your heart working right
mental health medicine, like antidepressants, help balance chemicals in your brain if youre feeling down or worried all the time
cancer medicine, these medicines try to slow down or destroy bad cells that cause cancer
how medicines affect your body,
how well a medicine works depends on you, how much you take, and how you take it
side effect, this is any extra effect a medicine has that isnt what you wanted it for
it could be something small like feeling sleepy, or something serious like upsetting your stomach
how medicines work together,
additive interaction, when two medicines work together for a stronger effect, like two plus two equals four
for example, taking pain medicine and muscle relaxers for an injury
synergistic effect, when one medicine makes another one much stronger than just adding them together, its like two plus two equals five or more
for example, one drug helps your body take in another drug faster
antagonistic interaction, when one drug blocks or lessens the effect of another
for example, when a medicine you take after a transplant stops your insulin from working its best
other things to know, tolerance and withdrawal,
tolerance, this means your body gets used to a medicine
after a while, you might need more of the same medicine to get the same effect
this can also happen when germs learn to fight off antibiotics
withdrawal, these are physical or mental feelings you get when you stop taking a medicine your body has gotten used to
you might feel nervous, cant sleep, have headaches, or feel sick to your stomach, but these usually get better
prescription medicines,
you need a doctors permission, or a prescription, to get these medicines
the fda, a government group, makes sure medicines are safe and work
theyre usually for serious problems or are very strong, so theyre watched closely
the label on your prescription must tell you,
how much to take
when and how often to take it
how long to take it for
any other important instructions or warnings
safety rules for prescriptions,
never take medicine prescribed for someone else, it might not be right for you and could be dangerous
dont share your medicine, its illegal and unsafe
using these medicines in the wrong way, like taking too much or for fun, is illegal and very dangerous
over the counter, otc, medicines,
you dont need a prescription to buy these medicines
they usually help with everyday problems like headaches, colds, or allergies
they can still be dangerous if you,
take too much
mix them with other things that dont go together
take them to get high
examples, cold medicine, antacids for upset stomachs, and mild pain relievers
choosing an otc medicine safely,
check the label to make sure the medicine treats what you have
dont assume all similar medicines are the same, like ibuprofen is different from acetaminophen
always read warnings and things to avoid
brand name versus generic,
brand name, this is the original name of the medicine from the company that first made it
generic, this medicine has the exact same main ingredients and strength as the brand name
it might look different, like a different color or shape, or cost less money
misuse and abuse of medicines,
otc drugs only hide your symptoms, if you keep treating yourself without a doctor, you might hide a serious sickness
for prescription drugs, taking more than you need, mixing them without asking a doctor, or using them to feel good is abusing them, and it can get you in trouble with the law
important safety tips for you,
always follow the directions exactly on your prescription label
tell your doctor or nurse about all the medicines and vitamins you are taking
pay attention to how you feel, and tell an adult or doctor right away if you have bad side effects
dont take otc medicines for a long time without seeing a doctor, especially if your symptoms dont go away
keep all medicines in their original bottles, and always check the expiration date, dont use old