Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved. Understanding Drugs and Medicines Chapter 9

Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.

UnderstandingUnderstandingDrugs and MedicinesDrugs and Medicines

Chapter 9


ANSWERSANSWERS1.1. FALSE—minor side FALSE—minor side

effects of over-the-effects of over-the-counter medicines are counter medicines are common.common.

2.2. TRUETRUE3.3. TRUETRUE4.4. TRUETRUE5.5. TRUETRUE6.6. FALSE—all drugs, FALSE—all drugs,

despite their source, are despite their source, are made of chemicalsmade of chemicals

7.7. FALSE—people can FALSE—people can become addicted become addicted (physically and/or (physically and/or psychologically to psychologically to prescription drugs such prescription drugs such as painkillers.as painkillers.


UnderstandingUnderstandingDrugs and MedicinesDrugs and Medicines

ContentsContents• Section 1 Drugs

• Section 2 Drugs as Medicines

• Section 3 Drugs and the Brain

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Section 1Section 1

DrugsDrugs

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Section 1 Drugs

VOCAB:

DRUGS: any substance that changes a person’s physical or psychological state.

MEDICINES: drugs used to cure, prevent, or treat illness or discomfort.

Good medicines have the following qualities:

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• Effectiveness• Safety• Minor side effects


Section 1 Drugs

VOCAB:

DRUGS OF ABUSE:

1. Taken for their mind-altering effects

2. No medical purpose/benefit

3. Can change the way your brain works in ways that

are unhealthy and dangerous

4. Can change your behavior over time and lead to

addiction and long-term health problems

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Section 1 Drugs

What Are Drugs?

• All drugs are chemicals.

• All drugs come from one of two sources:

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1. Naturals sources, such as plants, animals, or fungi2. Man-made in Laboratories


Section 1 Drugs

Types of Medicines

• A prescription is a written order from a doctor for a specific medicine.

• Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines can be bought without a prescription.

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Drugs can be taken into the body in the following ways:

• Implanted pumps

• Inhalation

• Injection

• Transdermal patches

• Ingestion

• Topical application


Section 2Section 2

Drugs as MedicinesDrugs as Medicines

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Section 2 Drugs as Medicines

Approving Drugs for Medical Use

• The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was created by the federal government to control the safety of food, drugs, and cosmetics in the United States.

• The FDA uses an approval process for proving a drug is safe and effective. Some steps include:

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1. Chemical or cell-culture testing in laboratories2. Testing on animals3. Testing on human volunteers4. Clinical trials to compare to existing drugs



Prescription Medicines (abbreviated: Rx)

• Should only be taken with a doctor’s recommendation and supervision.

• Taking someone else’s medication or failing to follow the prescription can be dangerous.

• Can be illegal to possess certain medications without a prescription.

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Prescription Medicines

• Prescriptions include the following information:

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• Dosage (how much you should take)• When you should take the medicine• How often you should take the medicine• The length of time you should take the

medicine



Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medicines• Most OTC medicines are used for common illnesses,

injuries, and disorders.• When choosing an OTC:

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• Decide what kind of OTC will work for you.• Decide whether you want a generic or brand-

name medicine. They often have the same active ingredients but different inactive ingredients.

• Read the labels.

•Long-term use of OTC medicines can cover up more serious problems.•If symptoms persist, consult a doctor.




Herbal remedies and dietary supplements

• Do not have to be approved by the FDA.

• May be ineffective or dangerous

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Side Effects of Medicines

• Allergic reactions are the most serious risks to taking medicines.

• Symptoms of anaphylactic shock include:

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• Itching all over the body• Swelling, especially in the mouth or throat• Wheezing or difficulty breathing• Pounding heartbeat• Fainting and unconsciousness• Possible death



Side Effects of Medicines

• All medicines have potential side effects.

• Drug interactions / reactions • MULTIPLIER EFFECT (increase or decrease

the effect of one of the substances• occur when a drug reacts with another drug,

food, or dietary supplement• Labels on OTC packages describe possible

drug interactions and potential side effects.

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Using Medicines Wisely

1. ASK YOUR DOCTOR QUESTIONS!2. Make yourself part of your own healthcare

team.3. Learn the facts about any medicine you take.4. Listen to your body.5. It’s not always safe to suddenly stop taking a

drug.6. Speak up and enlist your parents’ help.

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Section 3Section 3

Drugs and the BrainDrugs and the Brain

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Section 3 Drugs and the Brain

How Drugs Affect the Brain

• Information processing in the brain takes place at the connections between neurons, called synapsessynapses

• Signals are passed across synapses by chemicals called neurotransmittersneurotransmitters

• Some drugs affect the way neurons communicate by:• acting like neurotransmitters• blocking neurotransmitters• changing the amount of neurotransmitters

• These changes can affect our moodsmoods and emotionsemotions

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The Path to Addiction• ADDICTIONADDICTION: a condition in which a person can

no longer control his or her drug use.

• Most drugs of abuse activate the BRAIN REWARD BRAIN REWARD SYSTEMSYSTEM, which releases chemicals that give pleasure.

• Pleasure alone does not cause addiction

• People who become addicts usually start by experimenting, then more regular use leads to a series of changes on the path to addiction.

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Addiction is a Treatable Disease

• WITHDRAWAL: the symptoms that occur when a drug user stops using a drug.

• Stopping drug use can be very difficult because the withdrawal symptoms are often very unpleasant.

• Drug addiction is a brain disorderbrain disorder, and it is treatable.• Most communities offer a variety of treatment programs.• The best way to avoid addiction is to avoid drugs of

abuse altogether.

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End of Chapter 9End of Chapter 9

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Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved. Understanding Drugs and Medicines Chapter 9