WWe e AAre re RResponsibleesponsible

You can help with theYou can help with the

WARWAROn the misuse and abuse of On the misuse and abuse of

Medications!Medications!

When your doctor gives When your doctor gives you medicine …you medicine …

It is important to take it as directed.It is important to take it as directed.

NEVER under anyNEVER under anycircumstancecircumstance

take ANY medicine not prescribed take ANY medicine not prescribed to you!to you!

Can you tell us why?Can you tell us why?

““Interactions”Interactions”

Rx & OTC’s Herbs Sunlight Some Dairy Products

Alcohol & MedicationsAlcohol & Medications

Most medications contain ingredients like acetaminophen that makes the liver work more. Alcohol is a poison which also makes the liver work harder to eliminate this “toxin”

• When you combine these two toxins, the liver is compromised and can cause possible liver failure.

It is NEVER OK to mix medications and alcohol.

•Negative effects when Negative effects when abused:abused:

Death from Overdose Nausea & Vomiting

Coma or Respiratory Depression

Migraines

What Label’s Mean:What Label’s Mean:

Most common effects of medication Most common effects of medication abuse or misuseabuse or misuse

Respiratory DepressionRespiratory Depression

What is Respiratory Depression?What is Respiratory Depression?

When the Medulla Oblongata has lost its When the Medulla Oblongata has lost its ability to carry neurotransmitters to the ability to carry neurotransmitters to the central nervous system, to stimulate central nervous system, to stimulate breathing. breathing.

What this means:What this means:

The body simply forgets to breathe resulting The body simply forgets to breathe resulting in death. in death.

What part of our body is What part of our body is responsible for breathing?responsible for breathing?

Overdosing on meds thatOverdosing on meds thathave labels that read: have labels that read:

“may cause drowsiness” “may cause drowsiness”

Normal Chest X Ray Pulmonary Edema & Congestive Heart Failure

Can you think of anyone who has Can you think of anyone who has died from accidental overdose?died from accidental overdose?

Cause of Death: Lethal combination of prescription drugs. Could this have been prevented? Yes.Can you explain how?• Told Pharmacist about all medications he was taking. • Ask Pharmacist about possible drug interactions.

What can you do?What can you do?

To make sure you are safe from To make sure you are safe from misuse?misuse?

Answer… Always read the labels!Answer… Always read the labels!Answer… Take medication only Answer… Take medication only

under adult supervision.under adult supervision.

What would you do if your friends What would you do if your friends wanted medications to get high?wanted medications to get high?

Answer… Share your knowledge!Answer… Share your knowledge!

Is Power!!!

Test Your Knowledge…Test Your Knowledge…

What happens if you take too much medication What happens if you take too much medication that says… “May Cause Drowsiness?”that says… “May Cause Drowsiness?”

Answer: Fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema), Answer: Fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema), Respiratory FailureRespiratory Failure

How many types of possible “Interactions” can How many types of possible “Interactions” can you name?you name?

Answer: Herbs, Rx’s & OTC’s, Sunlight, Some Answer: Herbs, Rx’s & OTC’s, Sunlight, Some foodsfoods

Testing your knowledge…Testing your knowledge…

How many “Negative Effects” can you How many “Negative Effects” can you name? (From abusing medications)name? (From abusing medications)

Answer: Coma, Migraine, Nausea, Vomiting, Answer: Coma, Migraine, Nausea, Vomiting, Death.Death.

Why is alcohol a negative interaction?Why is alcohol a negative interaction?

Answer: Too much strain on the liver.Answer: Too much strain on the liver.

Questions?Questions?