Role Of Medicine Flashcards
What is a vaccine?
Contains weakened of dead pathogens to stimulate the body’s immune response to produce antibodies
What is an antitoxin?
Extracts of blood fluids that contains antibodies to neutralize the effects of toxins
Works quicker than vaccines
What are antibiotics?
Kills harmful bacteria or prevent the bacteria from reproducing
What are antivirals?
Suppresses viruses, but cannot kill them (ex. for those with HIV)
What are antifungals?
Cute of suppress infections (ex.ringworm)
What are analgesics?
Medicines that help relieve pain, mild to strong narcotics
What are some examples of medicines?
Antihistamines for allergies
Insulin, inhalers, and cardio medicine to regulate the body
Antidepressants and antipsychotics to stabilize mood
Chemotherapy to treat cancer
What are some side effects?
Drowsiness, fever, ulcers, nausea, kidney failure, and death
Why are medication interactions important?
Can be helpful or harmful
Be sure to tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines
What is an additive interaction?
Multiple types of medicines work together
What is a synergistic effect?
Interaction increases a medicine’s effect
What is an antagonistic interaction?
The interaction reduces the effectiveness of the medicine
What is tolerance?
Body becomes used to the effects of the medicine
Requires larger doses to have an effect
What is withdrawal?
Occurs when a person stops using a medicine they have been chemically dependent on
Nervousness, insomnia, headaches, vomiting, and cramps
Symptoms lessen over time
