Medicines are used to treat, cure, prevent pain, or prevent symptoms of disease or illness. There are two main types - over-the-counter medicines which can be purchased without a prescription, and prescription medicines which require authorization from a medical professional. Medicines are taken for prevention, protection, and treatment/cure of infections and their symptoms. Safety is important when using medicines, which can save lives if properly used but cause harm if not.

1. What kind of medicines do you commonly
take when you get sick?

2. How medicine
are used

3. Objectives
a. Describe uses of medicines
b. Differentiate prescription from
non-prescription medicines.

4. A drug is any substance that changes
how the mind or body works.
A medicine is a drug used to treat, cure,
prevent pain, or prevent the symptoms
of disease or illness. It is something you
take to make you feel better when you
are sick.

5. Every medicine has two names: a brand name and a
generic name.
Combination medicines are grouped under one brand
name. But the individual ingredients are always listed
on the packaging.
A group of medicines that function in the same way
have the same sounding generic name.

6. Medicine are taken
for different
purposes

7. 1. For PREVENTION
Some medicines are taken as preventive
medicine.
They do not treat any existing or pre-existing
disease or symptoms but they prevent infections
that may happen in the future.
These kinds of medicines are taken to prevent
illness or disease.
Examples of these are the painkillers or pain
relievers.

8. 2. For PROTECTION
Some medicines are taken to protect
the body from further growth or attack
of disease-causing organisms. These
kinds of medicines are taken usually to
maintain health.
Examples of these are medicines that
strengthen the capacity of your body
to fight against infection.

9. 3. For TREATMENT or CURE
Most medicines are taken to treat or
cure infections and their symptoms.
They may be used for a limited period or
on a regular basis for persistent or
chronic disorders. Medicines that are
taken to treat infectious diseases are
not only intended to make you feel
better. They actually cure the diseases.
Examples are medicines that kill
infectious germs

10. There are two (2 types of medicines
according to how they are sold or
dispensed

11. 1. Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines (Non-Prescription)
These medicines can be bought without
a doctor’s written prescription or
authorization. They can be bought at
any pharmacy or even at a
supermarket or health food shop.
.
Examples of these medicines are the
common cold and cough expectorants,
fever and flu medicines, stomach upset
medicines, analgesics or pain relievers

12. 2. Prescription medicines
These medicines are those that need a
prescription or authorization from an authorized
prescriber such as a doctor, dentist, and the like.
They are general more stronger than sold over-
the-counter.
They may have serious side effects and drug
interactions if not used properly.
Antibiotics and strong painkillers need a
prescription.

13. Safety in the use of medicines is very important.
Medicines can save lives if used properly. They can
cause health problems when not used properly.

14. Here are some other important
information that you should look
for and understand in a medicine
label.

15. Active Ingredients- indicates the therapeutic
substance in the product and the amount of active
ingredient per unit, usually in milligrams (mg) or
milliliters (mL)
Uses- indicates the symptoms or diseases the product
will treat or prevent.

16. Warnings- this indicates warnings like when not to use the
product; the conditions that may require advice from a doctor
before taking the product; the possible interactions or side
effects; when to stop taking the product and when to contact a
doctor; and to keep the product out of reach of children.
Inactive ingredients- this indicates substances such as colors
or flavors

17. Purpose- indicates the action or category of the product
such as antihistamine, antacid, or cough suppressant.
Directions- this indicates the specific age categories
how much to take, how often to take, and how long to
take the medicine.

18. Other information- this indicates information on how to store the
product properly and required information about certain ingredients
such as the amount of calcium, potassium, or sodium the product
contains)
a. Expiration date
b. Net quantity of contents
c. What to do if an overdose occurs

19. Check Your understanding
How are medicines used?
What is the difference between
prescription and nonprescription
medicines?

20. Keep in Mind
A drug is any substance that changes how the
mind or body works.
A medicine is a drug used to treat, cure, prevent
pain, or prevent the symptoms of disease or illness.
Over-the-counter medicines can be bought
without a doctor’s written prescription or
authorization.
Prescription medicines are drugs authorize from a
doctor, dentist, and the like.