8th-Chapter 11: Lesson 11.1 Medications Use and Abuse

Learning Outcomes

After studying this lesson, you will be able to

• between over-the-counter and prescription medications.

• health risks of taking medications.

• strategies for using medications safely.

• possible consequences of medication misuse and abuse.

• the negative health consequences of misusing and abusing medications, such as depressants, opioids, stimulants, diet pills, and performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs).

Defining Medications and Drugs

When you hear the terms and , would you define them in the same way? Sometimes, you might say they are the same. At other times, you would not. A is any substance that causes a or change in the body. Drugs can have or purposes. are substances used to treat symptoms of an or to , manage, or prevent a disease. According to these definitions, all medications are drugs. Not all drugs, however, are medications.

If used properly and for their intended purpose, medications can have many benefits. use and drug use, however, can have serious, on physical, mental and emotional, and social health.

Types of Medications There are of medications people take to improve their health. These types include and . Both types come in many different forms (Figure 11.1).

Figure 11.1

Over-the-Counter Medications People can purchase (OTC) medications without a doctor’s prescription to treat the of many conditions. Your family may keep certain OTC medications at home in case someone gets sick. These medications can treat , , and the .

The most commonly used OTC medications are , such as , , and . Other OTC medications include fever reducers, cold medicines, cough medicines, and certain .

Prescription Medications People can only purchase with a prescription from a doctor. Different categories of prescription medications have different functions (Figure 11.2). When the doctor gives a patient a , the person can take it to a to get the medication. The doctor determines how much of the proper medication a person needs. A pharmacy is a store that sells both and . If more of the prescription medication is needed, the person must get approval for a from the doctor.

Health Risks of Taking Medications Taking and medications can be beneficial to your health. Using these medications, however, can also carry some risks. These include side , , and .

Side Effects All medications, even OTC medications, can cause . A side effect is a typically and symptom that occurs from taking a medication. can be . For example, minor side effects may include drowsiness, headache, nausea, or dry mouth. Side effects that are more serious include stomach bleeding, ulcers, suicidal thoughts, or abnormal heart rhythms. Some side effects may even cause or death. Side effects are more likely to occur if you

-start or stop taking a medication increase or decrease the amount of a medication -you are taking

Medication labels should list the possible side effects of taking the medication.

Medication Interactions

Some medications cause by interacting with other drugs, , foods, or drinks. These health risks can be minor. For example, you may need to take a . If you take the medicine without eating anything, you may experience signs and symptoms like an upset stomach. Other from drug interactions are serious and can be life threatening.

If two medications work together to increase overall effect (called synergism), the effect on the body can be too strong. For example, and together can lead to serious health risks, including death (Figure 11.3).

Sensitivities and Allergic Reactions

Sometimes the same medication can have on different people. For example, a person who has a is more likely to experience using a specific medication. If a person has a , the body responds to a certain medication as if it is harmful. People are most often . Allergic reactions from a drug allergy can range from rashes and itching to swelling, , and even death. If you have any or , tell your doctor and pharmacist and read medication labels carefully.

Medication Tolerance and Withdrawal

Using a for a long time can make the body need more of the medication to feel an effect. This is called . As tolerance builds, the body needs larger amounts of the medication. Not taking a medication after a long time can cause . During withdrawal, the the medication. Symptoms can include , , , , , and . The best way to avoid these risks is to use medications safely and only as directed.