5/10/2020 Print Lesson

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Before You Read
Click on the Before You Read icon and complete the Note Taking worksheet as you read the lesson.

One Prescription, Two Patients? Monica has an earache. She visits

her doctor, who prescribes an antibiotic. Her friend Amy thinks she
may have an ear infection, too. Amy doesn’t want to go to the doctor,
though, so she asks Monica if she can share her medicine.

Standards for Medicines

MAIN IDEA Medicines are regulated to make them safe.
When you take a medicine, how can you be sure that it is safe? The answer is that all new medicines in the United States must meet
standards set by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Before approving a drug for use, the FDA receives information about a
medicine’s chemical composition and its intended use, effects, and possible side effects. All new medicines must go through at least
three clinical trials before they are approved. During a clinical trial, the drug is tested on human volunteers. They are monitored to
determine how effective the drug is and whether it has any harmful side effects.
In some cases, people with life-threatening illnesses are allowed to use the drug even if it hasn’t completed clinical trials. Such usage is
referred to as experimental. Patients are given experimental drugs only after clinical trials show that the drugs are safe and may be
effective in treating their illnesses.
Unlike medicines, herbal and dietary supplements are not under FDA control. They do not go through the same testing procedures or
meet the same strict standards for safety and effectiveness. Many people believe that herbal supplements are safe because they are
advertised as “natural.” However, even natural compounds can have harmful side effects or interactions. You should check with your
health care provider before taking a supplement, just as you would with any other medicine.

Prescription Medicines
Only a licensed pharmacist can dispense prescription medicines. A single prescription provides only the amount of medicine needed
to treat your condition. If you need more, your health care provider must approve a refill. Only the person whose name appears on the
label is allowed to use a prescription medicine.

Over-the-Counter Medicines
You can buy over-the-counter (OTC) medicines at drugstores and supermarkets. The FDA considers these medicines to be safe as
long as they are used as the label directs. However, all medicines can harm you if you do not follow the directions properly.
While all OTC medicines are available without a prescription, the distribution of some OTC medicines is controlled. For example, cold
medicines that contain pseudoephedrine must be kept behind the pharmacy counter. This ingredient can be used to make highly
addictive, illegal drugs.

Medicine Labels
The FDA requires that all prescription and OTC medicine labels contain information telling consumers how to use the medicine safely
and effectively. The pop-up graphic in the Lesson Resources panel shows the information that must appear on all OTC medicine labels.
Prescription medicine labels must include the same information, as well as

the patient’s name.

the name of the doctor who prescribed the medicine.
the name and address of the pharmacy that dispensed the medicine.
the number of refills allowed.
any special instructions for taking the medicine.

READING CHECK
Describe How would you obtain a prescription medicine?

Medicine Misuse
MAIN IDEA Taking medicines unnecessarily or without following the label instructions is dangerous.

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Most teens—96 percent—use medicines correctly. This is fortunate, because can be dangerous in more than one way. At best, it will
only prevent you from getting the full benefits of a medicine. At worst, it can seriously harm your health. Examples of medicine misuse
include:

Failing to follow the instructions on the label

Giving your prescription medicine to someone else, or taking another person’s medicine
Taking too much or too little of a medication
Taking a medicine for a longer or shorter period than prescribed or recommended
Stopping the use of a medicine without informing your health care provider
Mixing medicines without the knowledge or approval of your health care provider

Medicine Abuse
Some teens have the mistaken idea that prescription and OTC medicines are safer than illegal drugs. In fact, medicine abuse is both
dangerous and illegal. Teens may abuse medicines for the following reasons:
To lose weight. A healthy diet and exercise are the safest way to maintain a healthy weight.
To stay awake while studying. Getting plenty of sleep and managing your time wisely will help you study effectively.
To fit in with peers. A dangerous trend is the practice of having “pill parties,” where teens mix whatever OTC and prescription medicines
are available.
Using a medicine that was prescribed to someone else is also medicine abuse. Medicines are prescribed for a specific person to treat a
specific illness. Using someone else’s medicine, even if you think you have the same illness, is illegal and unsafe.
One danger of medicine misuse and abuse is the risk of drug overdose. Misusing medicines can also lead to addiction. The best way to
make sure you are using a medicine safely is to follow the instructions on the label.

READING CHECK
List What are some ways that teens might misuse medicines?

Reviewing Facts and Vocabulary

1. How do prescription medicines differ from OTC medicines?

2. List four pieces of information that must be on an OTC medicine label. Describe the purpose of each piece of information.

3. What is medicine misuse? How does it differ from medicine abuse?

Thinking Critically
4. Analyze: Why does the FDA regulate medicines and the information on medicine labels?

5. Evaluate: What are three ways you can avoid medicine abuse?

Applying Health Skills

6. Advocacy: Create a bookmark that gives information on the importance of correct medicine use.

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Writing Critically
7. Expository: Create a script for a commercial or PSA that explains how people can use their health care providers, pharmacists, and
medicine labels to ensure that they are using their medicines properly.

Repaso: Información y vocabulario

1. ¿En qué se diferencian los medicamentos recetados de los medicamentos OTC?

2. Menciona cuatro datos que deben aparecer en la etiqueta de un medicamento OTC. Describe el propósito de cada dato. ?

3. ¿En qué consiste el mal uso de los medicamentos? ¿En qué se diferencia del abuso de medicamentos?

Pensamiento crítico
4. Analiza: ¿Por qué la FDA regula los medicamentos y la información en sus etiquetas?

5. Evalúa. ¿Cuáles son las tres formas en que se puede evitar el abuso de medicamentos?

Hábitos para conservar la salud

6. Promoción: Elabora un señalador de páginas que brinde información sobre la importancia del uso correcto de los medicamentos.

Escritura analítica
7. Expositivo: Escribe un libreto para un comercial o un anuncio de interés general que explique cómo las personas pueden consultar a
profesionales de la salud y farmaceutas y la manera en que deben leer las etiquetas de las drogas para obtener información sobre el
uso correcto de los medicamentos.

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