Drugs Flashcards
What is a double blind trial?
A drug trial in which neither the patient nor doctor knows if the patient is receiving the new drug or a placebo.
A good medicine is?
Effective- it must prevent a cure or at least make you feel better.
Safe-the drug mustn’t be toxic or have unacceptable side effects.
Stable-you must be able to use the medicine under normal conditions and store it for some time.
Successfully taken into and removed from your body-it must reach its target and be cleared from the system once it has done its work.
What is a drug?
A substance that alters the way in which your body works. It can affect body or your mind or both.
What is addiction?
When your body becomes dependant on your drug. It has changed the way your body’s worked. And your body cannot cope without it.
What happens when you stop the drug you’re addicted to?
They feel unwell and have withdrawal symptoms. Such as aches, pains, sweating, shaking, headaches and cravings for the drugs.
Why do you need the drug when you’re addicted?
Your body is used to it and it makes you feel normal.
What does cannabis link to?
Evidence shows that it links to paranoia, depression and memory loss it causes serious psychological problems.
Why is a drug tested?
To establish its effectiveness, it’s toxicity and it’s most appropriate dose.
In 1950s what was thalidomide developed as initially?
As a sleeping pill?
What did the tests miss out?
They forgot to test it on pregnant animals which was an essential part of the trial.
What was discovered next?
That thalidomide stopped morning sickness.
Tragically what happened next?
Thalidomide wasn’t safe for developing foetuses. And the babies were born with limb deformities.
What happened after this?
It went in for testing again and thalidomide was used as a drug to treat leprosy. But has now been banned and doctors are finding more uses.
Why is an active drug often used as the control in a clinical trial instead of a sugar pill placebo which does nothing?
Because some patients would be ill and have the diseases so giving them a sugar pill wouldn’t be ethical it could potentially kill them.
What are statins?
Statins are medicinal drugs used to lower cholesterol levels in the blood. This can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Why should herbal remedies be tested in a double blind trial?
To check that they work as well as a tested drug.
What are the stages for drug trialling?
- In vitro testing on cells and tissues to check if toxic.
- Animal testing to work out dose and side effects.
- Testing on healthy humans to check if safe.
- Testing on patients suffering from target disease. To see if effective.
- Larger number of patients and when medicine passed all tests it’s granted a license.
What do we mean my indigenous people?
People who are usually in groups that work together usually and live in the same conditions.
What is a steroid drug?
It increases your muscle mass
What is a stimulant?
Makes you run faster and speeds up your nervous system.
What is a depressant?
Drugs
Why is it important to test new drugs?
To find out if they work, if they are toxic to find the best dose and for side effects.
Why do doctors prescribe statins?
To reduce cholesterol levels and reduce risk of heart disease.
Why are some drugs addictive?
They change the body’s chemistry.
