Medicine And Drugs Flashcards
What is tested on first when developing a drug?
Cells tissues and organs if the drug seems to work it is tested on animals then healthy volunteers and finally patients
What is a placebo?
A substance used in clinical trials which does not contain any drug at all
What do they look for when testing a drug?
If they are toxic
If they work
Side effects
What is a double blind trial?
Neither the doctor nor patient knows who is given a drug
What was thalidomide?
It was developed as a sleeping pill but doctors realised it could control morning sickness in pregnant women, unfortunately it had not been tested on pregnant women
What did were the side effects of thalidomide?
Some babies were born with limb abnormalities
What does thalidomide treat now?
Leprosy
What are statins?
Drugs which lower the amount of bad cholesterol carried in the blood
By what percentage has statins lowered cardiovascular disease?
40%
Instead of drugs, what do other people prefer to use?
Herbs instead of prescribed drugs, st Johns Wort is used to treat depression
Why should herbal remedies be tested in a double blind trial?
To check they work as a drug like Prozac
What is a drug?
A chemical that can alter the body’s chemistry
What are recreational drugs?
Drugs used for pleasure
Heroin and cocaine…
Are recreation, addictive and illegal
What happens if you stop taking an addictive drug?
You suffer from withdrawal
What are withdrawal symptoms?
The symptoms experienced by a drug addict when they do not get the drug to which they are addicted
Why are some drugs addictive?
They change your body’s chemistry
What can recreational drugs do?
Affect the brain and nervous system they may also have adverse affects on the heart and circulatory system
Name 2 illegal drugs
Heroin and cocaine
Name 2 legal drugs
Nicotine and caffeine and alcohol (over 18)
What health issues are associated with legal drugs?
Alcohol poisoning, addiction to nicotine leading to lung cancer from cigarettes
When can medicinal drugs be used illegally?
Stimulants used by sports people
Name 2 addictive drugs
Heroin, cocaine, alcohol, nicotine, caffeine
Name some non addictive drugs
Solvents, ecstasy, cannabis, anabolic steroids but really all drugs are addictive as they alter the body chemistry