MEDICAL USE OF DRUG

1. Analgesic Drugs - An analgesic or painkiller is any member of the group of drugs used to
achieve analgesia, relief from pain. 
a. Analgesic drugs act in various ways on the peripheral and central nervous systems.
They are distinct from anesthetics, which temporarily affect, and in some instances
completely eliminate, sensation.
2. Antibiotics - Antibiotics are powerful medicines that fight bacterial infections. They either
kill bacteria or stop them from reproducing, allowing the body’s natural defenses to eliminate
the pathogens.
3. Antihistamines - Are drugs which treat allergic rhinitis and other allergies. Typically, people
take antihistamines as an inexpensive, generic, over-the-counter drug that can provide relief
from nasal congestion, sneezing, or hives caused by pollen, dust mites, or animal allergy with
few side effects.
4. Contraceptive Drugs- Drugs that prevent meeting of the egg cell and sperm cell to prevent
pregnancy.
5. Decongestants - Decongestants are a type of medicine that can provide short-term relief for a
blocked or stuffy nose (nasal congestion).
6. Expectorants - Expectorants are drugs that loosen and clear mucus and phlegm from the
respiratory tract.
7. Laxatives - Are a type of medicine that can treat constipation.
8. Sedatives and Tranquilizers - Sedatives are a category of drugs that slow brain activity. Also
known as tranquilizers or depressants, sedatives have a calming effect and can also induce
sleep.
9. Vitamins - Any of several organic substances that are necessary in small quantities for
normal health and growth of the body.

ROUTES OF DRUG ADMINISTRATION:

1. Oral injection - Is the most convenient and usually the safest and least expensive
administration of drugs. Absorption may begin in the mouth and stomach. However, most
drugs are usually absorbed from the small intestine. The drug passes through the intestinal
wall and travels to the liver before being transported via the bloodstream to its target site.
2. Inhalation - Administration within the respiratory tract by inhaling orally or nasally for local
or systemic effect.
3. Topical/ Cutaneous Route - Administration to a particular spot on the outer surface of the
body. E.g., Corticosteroid cream, eye drops, nasal decongestant sprays.
4. Parenteral - Administration by injection, infusion, or implantation which includes the
following routes:
a. Subcutaneous (under the skin)
b. Intramuscular (in a muscle)
c. Intravenous (in a vein)
d. Intrathecal (around the spinal cord)

5. Buccal - A few drugs are placed under the tongue (taken sublingually) or between the gums
and teeth (buccally) so that they can dissolve and be absorbed directly into the small blood
vessels that lie beneath the tongue. Administration directed toward the cheek, generally from
within the mouth.
6. Iontophoresis - Administration by means of an electric current where ions of soluble salts
migrate into the tissues of the body.
DOSE OF DRUGS:

 Minimal Dose – The smallest amount of a drug or physical procedure that will produce a
desired physiologic effect in an adult.
 Maximal Dose - The largest quantity of a drug that an adult can safely take within a given
period.
 Toxic Dose – Minimal dose required to produce adverse effects.

COMMON PRESUMPTIVE COLOR TESTS:

1. MARQUIS REAGENT:
a. Primary test for opiates, hallucinogens, and amphetamines
b. Color response(s):
i. Opiates: violet or reddish-purple (if an opiate is suspected, subject sample to
nitric acid for further confirmation)
ii. Amphetamines: red-orange to red-brown.
2. DILLE–KOPPANYI TEST:
a. A presumptive test used in drug analysis, specifically to identify barbiturates. 
b. Color response(s):
i. Barbiturates: Light purple.
3. DUQUENOIS-LEVINE:
a. “The test has been used routinely over the past several decades as a chemical test for
identification of marijuana and some of its products.”
b. Color response(s):
i. THC/Marijuana: purple.
4. VAN URK:
a. Commonly use presumptive test for LSD, ergot alkaloids, dimethyltryptamine,
psilocin, psilocybine, cannabinols and certain indoles.
b. Color response(s):
i. Ergot alkaloids, dimethyltryptamine, psilocin, psilocybine (gives a violet colour)
ii. Cannabinols and certain indoles in which the indole ring is not bonded to
another conjugated ring (red changing to violet on dilution).
iii. Certain phenols and phenolic amines (red or orange, usually changing to violet
on dilution)
5. SCOTT'S TEST:
a. A presumptive test for cocaine.  However, this test has been known for a large number
of false positives when tested for cocaine.
b. Color response(s):
i. A positive test is indicated by a blue color in the chloroform layer.

DRUG DEPENDENCE

Terms to Ponder:

 Drug Dependence – Is a stage of psychic or physical dependence, or both, on a drug,

arising in a person following administration of that drug on a periodic or continuous basis.
 Substance Dependence – Impaired control over the use of a psychoactive substance; often
characterized by physiological dependence.
 Substance Abuse – The continued use of a psychoactive drug despite the knowledge that it
is causing a social, occupational, psychological, or physical problem.
 Tolerance – Physical habituation to a drug such that with frequent use, higher doses are
needed to achieve the same effects.
 Withdrawal Syndrome – A characteristic cluster of symptoms following the sudden
reduction or cessation of use of a psychoactive substance after physiological dependence has
developed.
  Addiction – Impaired control over the use of a chemical substance, accompanied by
physiological dependence.
 Physiological Dependence - A condition in which the drug user’s body comes to depend on
a steady supply of the substance.
 Psychological Dependence – Compulsive use of a substance to meet a psychological need.

CHARACTERISTICS OF DRUG ADDICTION

1. Uncontrollable Craving – the addict feels a compulsive craving to take the drug repeatedly
and tries to procure the same by all means.
2. Addiction - the addict is powerless to quit the drug use.
3. Physical Dependence – the addict’s physiological functioning is altered without the drug. He
becomes inactive and incapable of carrying out his normal activities in the absence of drugs.
4. Psychological Dependence – emotional and mental discomfort exist in an individual.
5. Withdrawal Syndrome – addict becomes nervous and restless when he is deprived of the
drug. After 12 hours he starts sweating and the nose and eyes become watery.
6. After another 12 hours vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite and sleep occurs. Respiration,
blood pressure and body temperature rises. Stomach cramps occurs. COMPLETE
RECOVERY TAKES PLACE IN 3 TO 6 MONTHS.
COMMON TYPES OF DRUGS: DERIVATIVES, ORIGIN, AND EFFECTS.

1. NARCOTICS - Also known as “opioids,” the term “narcotic” comes from the Greek word for
“stupor” and originally referred to a variety of substances that dulled the senses and relieved
pain. The word narcotic is derived from the Greek word narkotikon, which means “to numb”
or “benumbling.”
A. ORIGIN: opium poppy Papaver somniferum is the source for all natural opioids,
whereas synthetic opioids are made entirely in a lab and include meperidine, fentanyl,
and methadone.
B. Semi-synthetic opioids are synthesized from naturally occurring opium products, such
as morphine and codeine, and include heroin, oxycodone, hydrocodone, and
hydromorphone.
C. Besides their medical use, narcotics/opioids produce a general sense of well-being by
reducing tension, anxiety, and aggression. These effects are helpful in a therapeutic
setting but contribute to the drugs’ abuse.
D. Narcotic/opioid use comes with a variety of unwanted effects, including drowsiness,
inability to concentrate, and apathy.
E. Narcotics/opioids are prescribed by doctors to treat pain, suppress cough, cure
diarrhea, and put people to sleep.
I. MORPHINE - 1803-1805: First isolation of Morphine from opium plant by
German pharmacist Friedrich Sertürner, Sertürner called the isolated alkaloid
substance “Morphium” named after the Greek God of Dreams Morpheus.
a) Morphine’s effects include euphoria and relief of pain. Chronic use of
morphine results in tolerance, and physical and psychological
dependence.
II. HEROIN – Is processed from morphine, a naturally occurring substance
extracted from the seed pod of certain varieties of poppy plants. Heroin comes
in several forms, primarily white powder from Mexico and South America; and
“black tar” and brown powder from Mexico.
a) Because it enters the brain so rapidly, heroin is particularly addictive,
both psychologically and physically. Heroin users report feeling a surge
of euphoria or “rush” followed by a twilight state of sleep and
wakefulness.
 III. CODEINE – Belongs to a class of medications called opiate (narcotic) analgesics
and to a class of medications called antitussives. When codeine is used to treat
pain, it works by changing the way the brain and nervous system respond to
pain. When codeine is used to reduce coughing, it works by decreasing the
activity in the part of the brain that causes coughing.

2. HALLUCINOGEN - Hallucinogens are found in plants and fungi or are synthetically produced
and are among the oldest known group of drugs used for their ability to alter human
perception and mood.
A. ORIGIN: Hallucinogens can be synthetically produced in illicit laboratories or are
found in plants.
B. Hallucinogens come in a variety of forms. MDMA or ecstasy tablets are sold in many
colors with a variety of logos to attract youth. LSD is sold in the form of saturated
paper (blotter paper), typically imprinted with colorful graphic designs.
C. Physiological effects include elevated heart rate, increased blood pressure, dilated
pupils, and often can induce nausea and vomiting.
I. MARIJUANA - Marijuana is a mind-altering (psychoactive) drug, produced by
the Cannabis sativa plant. Marijuana has over 480 constituents. THC (delta9-
tetrahydrocannabinol) is believed to be the main ingredient that produces the
psychoactive effect.
II. LYSERGIC ACID DIETHYLAMIDE (LSD) – Is a potent hallucinogen that has a
high potential for abuse and currently has no accepted medical use in
treatment in the United States.
a) LSD is an odorless and colorless substance with a slightly bitter taste.
LSD is available in saturated absorbent paper (e.g., blotter paper, divided
into small, decorated squares, with each square representing one dose),
tablets or “micro dots,” saturated sugar cubes, or in a liquid form.
b) The physical effects include: Dilated pupils, higher body temperature,
increased heart rate and blood pressure, sweating, loss of appetite,
sleeplessness, dry mouth, and tremors.
c) Albert Hoffman, a Swiss scientist, first described the hallucinogenic
effects of LSD after accidentally ingesting it in 1943. The drug might
produce visual and auditory hallucinations as well as mood swings and
feelings of anxiety, tension, and paranoia.