Drug History Flashcards
What are the legal ways of obtaining drugs?
- From a shop (Paracetamol from the supermarket) - From a pharmacist (eg: Emergency Contraception) - From prescription (eg: Antibiotics)
Why do we have drug regulation?
Prevents public advertisement and promotion of ineffective drugs.
Explain ‘The Medicines Act 1968’
Required a license in order to buy / sell or manufacture medicines.
What are the classification of medicinal products?
From a shop / pharmacist / prescription
From a shop - General Sale Medicines.
From a pharmacist - Pharmacy Medicines.
From a prescription - Prescription only medicines.
What does General Sales Medicines (GSM) entail?
This is taken for commonly recognised ailments which last 2 -3 days.
Small doses are given in order to reduce chances of harm from overuse.
However, a few side effects can occur.
What does Pharmacy Medicines entail?
These are ONLY available in pharmacies.
Used for short term treatments and need to be used MORE carefully than GSM.
What does Prescription only Medicines entail?
ONLY available with prescription.
These drugs are:
- Direct / Indirect danger to human health.
- Frequent incorrect usage.
- Product is normally prescribed for injection administration (Known as Parenteral administration.)
What are controlled drugs?
Controlled Drugs are prescription medications which are controlled under the ‘Misuse of Drugs 1971’. The classification is based on the harm when misused and their benefit in medical treatment.
List the class system for controlled drugs and name some examples for each.
There are 3 classes. Class A, B and C.
Class A = Morphine / Heroin
Class B = Ketamine / Codeine
Class C = Diazepam / Zopiclone
Which category of drugs does the ‘Misuse of Drugs Regulations’ apply to?
Only applies to controlled drugs.
Why are some drugs strictly controlled?
- Drugs can cause harm.
- Antiangiogenesis
What is antiangiogenesis?
Stops the development of NEW blood vessels = stops embryos developing normally.
What are the two ways drugs can cause harm?
Adverse Drug Reaction - ADR
Adverse Drug Event - ADE
Explain what is meant by an ‘Adverse Drug Reaction’.
Any reaction which is unintended and occurs at doses normally used in man.
Reasonable probability that it is caused by a drug
Explain what is meant by an ‘Adverse Drug Event’.
Any medical occurrence in which someone administers a drug which has no causal relationship to the treatment.
What is the procedure which occurs when an adverse drug reaction occurs?
A dose reduction is administered or the drug is completely stopped.
This prevents the negative side effects = Nausea / Dry Mouth / Dizziness.
Why does an adverse drug reaction occur?
They are dose related and is often predictable due to the pharmacology of the drug.
Explain what an allergy is.
An allergy is classed as an adverse drug reaction which is uncommon.
What happens for an allergy to occur?
An allergy is brought about by the component of a drug binding to the host protein and causing a hapten to be created. The creation of a hapten triggers an immune response.
What is sensitisation?
A mild allergic reaction is much more severe next time.
Gets worse each time
What is anaphylaxis?
An indication that an allergic reaction has occurred and therefore, the person’s airways constrict.
As the airways constrict -> an obstruction could be present in the airways and thus, the person CAN’T breathe.
What are some symptoms of anaphylaxis?
Fluid in the lungs / Blood pressure drops / Swelling of the face and throat.
What are the main steps for drug taking history?
GREET THEM.
What drugs do they take?
What dosage they have?
When do they take it?
Do they take any other medications?
Ask again : DOUBLE CHECK.
Have they started / stopped any medications?
Do they drink / smoke / do drugs?
Do they know why they are taking the drugs?
Where there any problems with taking the drugs?
If so, offer them an alternative.
Where do they get the drugs from?
Do they have any allergies to drugs?
Do they get an other symptoms for the drugs they were taking? // Did they go to A&E?
Ask if they take any injected medication?
Thank Them.
What are the potential challenges to taking drugs?
ADVERSE EFFECT
SOLUTION:
- Avoid if the allergy is there.
- Weigh up benefits and charms for side effects.
