Effects of Prescription Drugs & over the Counter Drugs Essay Example
Chapter 1
INTRODUCTION
A. Background of the Study
A prescription drug is a medication that can be purchased or given out only with written instructions from a licensed healthcare provider, such as a doctor, dentist, nurse practitioner or physician’s assistant, to a pharmacist. These written instructions are known as a prescription. However, prescription drugs can also cause bad effects by abusing it; for example, by taking a friend’s or relative’s prescription to get high, to treat pain, or because you think it will help with studying. In fact, prescription drug abuse is the fastest-growing drug problem in the United States. In New Hampshire, 20% of teens have abused prescription drugs. And over the last ten years prescription drug abuse in New Hampshire has risen 200%. According to the NH Chief Medical Examiner’s Office, in 2009 more NH citizens died from drug overdoses (164) than car accidents (110).
On the other hand, over the counter drugs are medicines that may be sold directly to a consumer without a prescription from a healthcare professional. It is also the products that are available at supermarkets, drugstores and convenience stores. There is an incorrect but widespread belief that because you don't need a prescription, these drugs must be much less dangerous than those found behind the pharmacy counter. Like prescription drugs, over the counter drugs can also be abused, the best example of this are the drugs include those that contain the ingredient DXM (dextromethorphan), which is used to treat cough, cold and flu symptoms. Also, OTC medications believed to help with weight loss—like laxatives, diuretics and diet pills-are often abused. All of these medications can have serious and potentially fatal side effects over time.
The bottom line is since they're legal and easy to find, OTC drugs are also easy to abuse. Like any medicine, they can have their benefits when taken as directed and in moderation. But there's always the danger of taking too
INTRODUCTION
A. Background of the Study
A prescription drug is a medication that can be purchased or given out only with written instructions from a licensed healthcare provider, such as a doctor, dentist, nurse practitioner or physician’s assistant, to a pharmacist. These written instructions are known as a prescription. However, prescription drugs can also cause bad effects by abusing it; for example, by taking a friend’s or relative’s prescription to get high, to treat pain, or because you think it will help with studying. In fact, prescription drug abuse is the fastest-growing drug problem in the United States. In New Hampshire, 20% of teens have abused prescription drugs. And over the last ten years prescription drug abuse in New Hampshire has risen 200%. According to the NH Chief Medical Examiner’s Office, in 2009 more NH citizens died from drug overdoses (164) than car accidents (110).
On the other hand, over the counter drugs are medicines that may be sold directly to a consumer without a prescription from a healthcare professional. It is also the products that are available at supermarkets, drugstores and convenience stores. There is an incorrect but widespread belief that because you don't need a prescription, these drugs must be much less dangerous than those found behind the pharmacy counter. Like prescription drugs, over the counter drugs can also be abused, the best example of this are the drugs include those that contain the ingredient DXM (dextromethorphan), which is used to treat cough, cold and flu symptoms. Also, OTC medications believed to help with weight loss—like laxatives, diuretics and diet pills-are often abused. All of these medications can have serious and potentially fatal side effects over time.
The bottom line is since they're legal and easy to find, OTC drugs are also easy to abuse. Like any medicine, they can have their benefits when taken as directed and in moderation. But there's always the danger of taking too