Concetti Chiave
- Drugs or medications are substances introduced from outside the body to alter normal bodily functions, differing from endogenous biochemicals.
- Some natural substances, like certain mushrooms, exist on the borderline between food and drugs.
- Recreational drugs, used for enjoyment or sensory enhancement, can be legal (e.g., alcohol, tobacco) or illegal (e.g., narcotics).
- Medications are categorized legally as over-the-counter (OTC), behind-the-counter (BTC), or prescription only medicines (POM).
- Medicines come in various forms, including liquids (solutions, syrups), injectable solutions, and skin preparations (creams, ointments).
Definition of drugs and medications
Drugs or medications: any substance that alters
normal bodily functions
Different from:
1. Endogenous biochemicals like hormones because they are introduced from outside the organism
2. Natural substances such as beer, wines and some mushrooms may be located on the threshold between food and drugs
3. Recreational drugs: psychoactive substances used to have fun or enhance senses and perception; they may cause addiction and habituation and may be both legal
(tobacco, alcohol and caffeine) and illegal (narcotics, hallucinogens)
Categories of medications according to the law
Medicines are divided into three categories by governments according to their legal jurisdiction:
1. Over-the-counter (OTC) medications: available in pharmacies and supermarkets without special restrictions
2. Behind-the-counter (BTC), known as “pharmacy medicines” in the UK: dispensed by
a licensed pharmacist without the need for a doctor’s prescription
3. Prescription only medicines (POM): must be prescribed by a licensed medical professional
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• liquids: available as solutions, syrups, suspensions (powder mixed with liquid), elixirs sciroppi
• injectable solutions soluzioni iniettabilk
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• skin preparations: available as creams, ointments, lotions, pastes
Domande da interrogazione
- What distinguishes drugs or medications from endogenous biochemicals and natural substances?
- How are recreational drugs categorized, and what are some examples?
- What are the three legal categories of medications, and how are they accessed?
Drugs or medications are substances introduced from outside the organism that alter normal bodily functions, unlike endogenous biochemicals like hormones. Natural substances such as beer, wines, and some mushrooms may blur the line between food and drugs.
Recreational drugs are psychoactive substances used for enjoyment or sensory enhancement, potentially causing addiction. They can be legal, such as tobacco, alcohol, and caffeine, or illegal, like narcotics and hallucinogens.
Medications are categorized as Over-the-counter (OTC), available without restrictions; Behind-the-counter (BTC), dispensed by a pharmacist without a prescription; and Prescription only medicines (POM), which require a prescription from a licensed medical professional.
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