Introduction Flashcards
1
Q
What is a drug?
A
A single chemical substance with pharmacological effects on the body
2
Q
What is a medicine?
A
A substance or mixture of substances in restoring or preserving health
3
Q
How are drugs a major cost for the NHS?
A
10% of all health costs
5-10% of all prescriptions errors
4% hospital admissions adverse drug effects (avoidable)
4
Q
What do we use drugs for?
A
Treating life threatening disease and risk factors
Lifestyle drugs
Hedonistic enjoyment
5
Q
Examples of lifestyle drugs
A
Viagra/ sildenafil
Finasteride- premature hair loss
Orlistat- weight loss
Bupropion- smoking cessation
6
Q
Examples of prescription drugs
A
Antibiotics for infection Analgesics for pain Chemotherapy for malignancy Statins for hypercholesterolaemia ACE inhibitors for heart disease Proton pump inhibitors for dyspepsia
