UNDERSTANDING

DRUGS AND
MEDICINCES
1. Which is known as the
inflammation of the appendix?
a. Appendectomy
b. Appendicitis
c. Colitis
d. Pancreatitis
2. Which of the following is NOT a
digestive disorder?
a. Constipation
b. Diarrhea
c. Goiter
d. Hepatitis
3. What is the best way to treat
constipation?
a. Take antibiotics.
b. Eat more bananas.
c. Do not eat anything.
d. Increase intake on the
amount of fiber and water.
4.Which of the following symptoms is NOT
associated with dyspepsia?
a. Black tarry stools
b. Mild to severe epigastric pain
c. Epigastric burning sensations
d. Feeling overly full after a normal
meal
5. Peptic ulcers may be caused by all of the
following except:
a. Emotional stress and eating spicy foods
b. Bacterial infection with Helicobacter
pylori
c. Malignant tumors in the stomach or
pancreas
d. Long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-
inflammatory agents (NSAIDS)
 WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE
BETWEEN A DRUG AND A
MEDICINE?

DRUGS
Drugs are substances

MEDICINES
that cause a change in a
person’s physical Medicines are drugs
and/or psychological that are used to cure,
state. prevent or treat
illnesses or discomfort
WHAT ARE SOME COMMON SIDE EFFECTS
OF MEDICINES?

An effect Common side

caused by a effects are
drug other headaches,
then the sleepiness,
intended effect diarrhea, nausea
 TYPES OF
MEDICINES
1. Liquid
The active part of the medicine is combined
with a liquid to make it easier to take or
better absorbed. A liquid may also be called
a mixture, solution or syrup. Many common
liquids are now available without any added
coloring or sugar.
 TYPES OF
MEDICINES
2. Tablet
The active ingredient is combined with
another substance and pressed into a
round or oval solid shape. There are
different types of tablet. Soluble or
dispersible tablets can safely be
dissolved in water.
 TYPES OF
MEDICINES
3. Capsules
The active part of the medicine is contained
inside a plastic shell that dissolves slowly in
the stomach. You can take some capsules
apart and mix the contents with your child’s
favorite food. Others need to be swallowed
whole, so the medicine isn’t absorbed until
the stomach acid breaks down the capsule
shell.
 TYPES OF
MEDICINES
4.Topical medicines
These are creams, lotions or ointments
applied directly onto the skin. They come
in tubs, bottles or tubes depending on the
type of medicine. The active part of the
medicine is mixed with another substance,
making it easy to apply to the skin.
 TYPES OF
MEDICINES
5. Suppositories
The active part of the medicine is combined
with another substance and
pressed into a bullet shape so it can be
inserted into the bottom. Suppositories
mustn't be swallowed.
 TYPES OF
MEDICINES
6. Drops
These are often used where the active
part of the medicine works best if it
reaches the affected area directly. They
tend to be used for eye, ear or nose.
 TYPES OF
MEDICINES
7. Inhalers
The active part of the medicine is
released under pressure directly into
the lungs. Young children may need to
use a ‘spacer’ device to take the
medicine properly. Inhalers can be
difficult to use at first so your
pharmacist will show you how to use
them.
 TYPES OF
MEDICINES
8. Injections
There are different types of injection, in how and
where they're injected. Subcutaneous or SC
injections are given just under the surface of the
skin. Intramuscular or IM injections are given into
a muscle. Intrathecal injections are given into the
fluid around the spinal cord. Intravenous or IV
injections are given
into a vein.
 TYPES OF
MEDICINES
9. Implants or patches
These medicines are absorbed through the skin, such as
nicotine patches for help in giving up smoking, or
contraceptive implants. Tablets you don't swallow (known
as buccal or sublingual tablets or liquids) .These look like
normal tablets or liquids, but you don’t swallow them.
Buccal medicines are held in the cheek, so the mouth
lining absorbs the active ingredient. Sublingual
medicines work in the same way but are put underneath the
tongue. Buccal and sublingual medicines tend only to be
given in very specific circumstances.
A written order from a doctor
for a specific medicine.

Medicines that can be

bought without a
prescription.
 WHAT DO THE
FOLLOWING TYPES
OF COMMON
MEDICATIONS DO
FOR OUR BODY?
Block the action of
the chemical,
HISTAMINE,
which causes
allergy symptoms
 HOW DO DRUGS
ENTER YOUR BODY?
Inhalation
The drugs enter the body through
blood vessels in the lungs when it is
inhaled.

Implanted Pumps
Surgically implanted specialized
pumps inject drugs directly into a
specific part of the body.

Injection
The drug is injected by a
hypodermic needle.
 Methods of Administering Drugs
Injection methods
– Intradermal
Between layers of
skin

– Subcutaneous
Under the skin

– Intramuscular
In the muscle

– Intravenous
Directly in the vein
25
 HOW DO DRUGS
ENTER YOUR BODY?
Transdermal
Patches
The drug is packaged into
patches that are placed on the
skin

Topical Application
The drug is applied directly to certain areas of
the body and absorbed into the skin. Ingestion
The drug is swallowed and absorbed
through blood vessels in the intestines.
 PRESCRIPTION
MEDICINES
What information
does a prescription
have?
 The medication
 The dose
 When you should
take the medicine
 How often you
should take the
medicine
 The length of time
you should take the
medicine
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A
GENERIC MEDICINE AND A BRAND NAME
MEDICINE?
 Generic drugs are made by a
company other than the company
that developed the original
medicine.

 They are chemically identical to

the original drug and have the
same active ingredients.

 The difference may be in the

inactive ingredients, things that
give the pill it’s shape, color, size.
What is the most serious allergic reaction called
and what are the symptoms of it?

Effects the entire body including itching

all over, swelling, especially in the mouth
and throat, wheezing or difficulty
breathing, pounding heart, fainting and
unconsciousness.

ALLERGIC
REACTIONS CAN
RANGE FROM VERY
MILD TO LIFE
THREATENING.
DRUG
INTERACTIONS?
Occurs when drugs
react with another
drug, food or
dietary
supplement.

Could increase or
decrease the effect of a
drug.