Medicine Misuse, Abuse

and Potential Dangers

Objectives:
In this lesson, you will be able to do the following:
•Describe ways on how medicines are misused and abused.
•Describe the potential dangers associated with medicine misuse and
abuse.
• Explain how children can prevent medicine misuse and abuse.
 Read the following diary entry. Find out
what happened to Bea's brother
Dear Diary.

I got scared yesterday because we rushed kuya to the hospital. Days

ago, he had a bad cough. He bought medicine at the pharmacy and
brought it home. I saw him drinking it straight from the bottle. I askeơ
him why he did not use a teaspoon or tablespoon but he told me not to
worry because he thinks he drank just the right amount of the cough
Syrup to make him feel better. He drank it again in the afternoon and at
night before leaving the house.
When he came back, he looked weak after the basketball game. I asked
kuya if he is okay but he said he is just tired. Then. I heard a loud
thump. When I went to check what happened. I saw kuya lying on the
floor. I screamed for help to tatay and nanay downstairs.
At the hospital, the doctor told us that kuya fainted because he had an
overdose of the medicine. I had so many questions about medicines
after that. The doctor answered it clearly Now. I am glad that kuya is
okay and that I now know how medicines can be dangerous if it is
misused and abused. That information really helped me. When I grow
up, I want to be like Dr. Pia.
•What happened to Bea's brother?
•How did that experience change Bea's
thoughts about medicines?
Medicines are made to help protect and prevent
people from getting sick. It also provides cure.
Medicines are really helpful. However, You use in the
wrong way, it can also be harmful
Learning how medicines are misused and abused are
as important as learning the uses of it.
Understanding these will lead you to realize its
potential dangers so you Can protect yourself and
your loved one's, just like what Dr. Pia did when she
explained it to Bea.
•How does medicine become harmful
instead of being helpful?
 Both prescribed medicines and OTC’s can be harmful if they are
misused and abused. Some of these risky practices and behaviors are:

1. Self-Medication

When a person chooses and uses medicines to treat himself or

herself because they feel symptoms of an illness, it is called
self- medication. Customers have easy access to medicines
which gives them quick relief to minor pains or discomfort.
While this is good, self-medication can be unsafe. This
happens when a person does it incorrectly and in the long run,
delays seeking medical advice from a health professional.
2. Improper Use
Since there is no guidance from a doctor, nurse,
or dentist, self- medication can lead to over
dosage or taking more than the normal
recommended amount of the medicine. Even
the accidental excessive use of medicine can
lead to harmful effects like poisoning or death.
3. Dependence

• Medicines provide relief or cure for pain and a

licensed health care professional knows the right
amount of dosage and the number of days a
person needs to fake it. Dependence occurs when
the body develops tolerance to the medicine,
meaning higher doses are needed for the same
effect if this is not controlled, the dependence can
soon become an addiction,
4. Addiction

Addiction is medicine abuse because

a person has no control over the drug
that he or she uses. one person has
grown so used to the drug that he or
she wants to have . Signs of addiction
include the feeling of needing the
medicine in larger dosage to get the
same effects.
Proper Use of Medicine
• Use under the adult supervision
• Read and check the label
• Consult with a physician
• Follow the instructions and medical prescriptions
• Check the expiration date
• Observe proper storage
• Buy from reliable resources
The proper use of medicines should
be applied by all people and at all
times. While you are young, you
need to practice these so that you
will be able to grow up not misusing
Or abusing medicines. Since you are
a responsible member at home, In
school, in your community and in
your country, you can do something
to promote its proper use.