Transcript Medicines and Drugs

Medicines and Drugs
Chapter 23
Classifications of Medicines


Medicines are drugs that are used to treat or
prevent disease or other conditions
Drugs are substances other than food that
change the structure or function of the body
or mind.
Medicines that Prevent Disease

A vaccine is a preparation introduced into the
body to stimulate an immune response
Medicines and the Body

Medicines can have a variety of effects on
individuals, or can cause different reactions.

Side effects are the reactions to medicine other
than the one intended
Medicines and the Body

When medicines are taken together or with certain
foods, the combination may produce different
effects.


Addictive interaction occurs when medicines work
together in a positive way
Synergistic effect is an interaction of two or more
medicines that results in a greater effect than when the
medicines are taken alone.


One medicine increases the effect of the other
Antagonistic interaction occurs when the effect of one
medicine is canceled or reduced when taken with another
medicine
Other Potential Problems

Tolerance



A condition in which the body becomes used to the effect of
the medicine, so….
The body needs an increasingly larger dose of the
medicine to produce the same effect
Withdrawal


Occurs when a person stops using a medicine on which he
or she has a chemical dependence.
Nervousness, insomnia, severe headaches, vomiting, chills
and cramps. Possibly medical intervention
Medicine Misuse




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 use of a medicine without
informing the health care professional
Mixing medicines
Substance Abuse

Any unnecessary or improper use of
chemical substances for nonmedical
purposes


Illegal drugs, chemical substances that people of
any age may not lawfully manufacture, possess,
buy or sell
Illicit drugs, the use or sale of any substance that
is illegal or otherwise not permitted
Factors that Influence Decisions About
Drugs





Peer pressure
Family members
Role models
Media messages
Perceptions
Health Consequences

Physical



Mental/emotional


Once a drug enters the bloodstream it can harm a user’s
brain, heart, lungs and other vital organs
Overdose, strong, sometimes fatal reaction to taking a
large amount of a drug.
Drugs cloud reasoning and thinking; lose control of
behavior
Social

Negative effect on relationships with friends or family
members
Understanding the Addiction Cycle




Tolerance
Psychological Dependence
Physical Tolerance
Addiction
Tolerance

The body of the substance abuser needs
more and more of the drug.
Psychological Dependence

A condition in which a person believes that a
drug is needed in order to feel good or to
function normally.


Develops over time
Desired effect
Physiological Dependence

A condition in which the user has a chemical need
for the drug


Feelings of withdrawal from the drug after taking it.
Symptoms include:








Nervousness
Insomnia
Severe nausea
Headaches
Vomiting
Chills
Cramps
Even, death
Addiction


Dependence on the drug
Causes persistent, compulsive use of a
substance known by the user to be harmful

People who are addicted have great difficulty
stopping use
Marijuana




Contains 421 different chemicals
D-alpha-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the
main psychoactive ingredient
Stored in the body for 25-35 days
Raises level of dopamine


Pleasurable feeling; euphoria (feeling of intense
well-being or elation)
Health risks – pg. 599
Stimulants
Drugs that speed up the central nervous system




Cocaine
Crack
Amphetamines
Methamphetamines
Depressants
Drugs that slow down the central nervous system




Barbiturates
Tranquilizers
Rohypnol
GHB
Narcotics
Specific drugs that are obtainable only by prescription and are used to relieve pain.




Opium
Morphine
Heroin
Codeine
Hallucinogens
Drugs that alter moods, thoughts, and sense perceptions including vision, hearing,
smell and touch.




PCP
LSD
Ecstasy
Ketamine
Inhalants


Substances whose fumes are sniffed and
inhaled to achieve a mind-altering effect.
Once inhaled, it goes immediately to the
brain causing damage and killing cells


Could cause permanent damage or even death
Easily accessible for young teens
Steroids




Synthetic substances that are similar to the
male sex hormone – testosterone
Anabolic refers to muscle building
Androgenic refers to increased male
characteristics
Can cause:



Mood swings
Impaired judgment
Paranoia