Chapter 9Understanding Drugs

and Medicines

Analgesic• A medicine that relieves pain

Stimulant• A drug that increases alertness

Vaccine• A medicine that prevents infection in

people exposed to infectious agents

OTC• Over the Counter• A medicine available without a prescription

Prescription Medicine• A drug that required a written

order from a doctor because it treats serious health conditions or is a very powerful medicine

Sedative• A medicine that causes Sleepiness

Addiction• A condition in which a person cannot

control his or her drug use.

Active Ingredient• A chemical that gives a drug its action

Drugs of Abuse VS Medicines

• Drugs of abuse have no medical purpose, while medicines treat, prevent, or cure illnesses

Medicines

• People may have – Allergic reactions– Anaphylactic shock (Anaphylaxis is a severe,

potentially life-threatening allergic reaction. It can occur within seconds or minutes of exposure to something you're allergic to)

– Side effects

Testing of Medicines•Test on cell cultures•Test on animals•Tests on healthy humans•Clinical Trials

Medicines

• Before taking medicines prescribed by your doctor you should:– Ask the doctor if you can take a generic form of

the medicine– Ask the doctor if there any side effects– Ask the doctor what to do if a side effect occurs

Chemical Messengers• Help the brain process information and affect

emotions are released at synapses

Medicines•Must be safe to use•Must be effective•Must have only minor side effects

Drug Origins• Natural sources• Laboratories

OTC Medicines• Decide what works best for you• Read the list of uses to find out if

the medicine will relieve your symptoms• Decide whether you want generic

or brand name medicine

Methods used to administer medicines

• Implanted pumps• Inhalers• Injections• Oral• Transdermal patches• lotions

Addiction•Avoid drugs

Drug Withdrawal• The unpleasant symptoms

drive the addict to take more of the drug to relieve the symptoms

Experimentation with Drugs• Can lead to more regular pattern of

abuse• Pleasure can lead to repeated use

resulting in tolerance and then physical dependence• Adolescent brains are more vulnerable to

the effects of drugs than adult brains are

Test Tomorrow Chapter 9