B1.3 Use and Abuse of Drugs Flashcards Preview

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Flashcards in B1.3 Use and Abuse of Drugs Deck (24)
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1
Q

Define ‘drug’

A

A substance which alters the body’s chemistry

2
Q

Define ‘addiction’

A

The body becoming dependent on a drug and not being able to function without it.

3
Q

Name and define three types of drug.

A
  • Performance enhancing : drugs used illegally by athletes to improve performance in competition
  • Medicinal : drugs used for medical purposes
  • Recreational : drugs taken for pleasure
4
Q

What are two types of performance enhancing drugs?

A
  • Anabolic steroids : increasing muscle size

- Stimulants : increasing heart rate

5
Q

What are the arguments against performance enhancing drugs?

A
  • It’s unfair to have an advantage by taking drugs

- Athletes may not be fully informed of the health risks

6
Q

What are the arguments for performance enhancing drugs?

A
  • Athletes have the right to their own decisions

- Sport is unfair anyway, different athletes have access to different equipment, trainers etc

7
Q

Explain the process of drug testing.

A
  • The drug is tested on cells, tissues and isolated organs to see if it is toxic
  • It’s tested on animals to see how it works in a whole organism
  • Tested in low doses on a small number of healthy humans to see if it is safe in humans and to look for side effects
  • If safe, tested on patients with the disease to see if safe and effective as well as to find the optimum dosage
  • If the results show the drug is safe a license is granted for general use
8
Q

What was thalidomide originally developed as?

A

A sleeping pill

9
Q

What was thalidomide found useful?

A

Morning sickness in pregnancy

10
Q

What were the side effects of thalidomide?

A

Babies were born with severe limb deformities

11
Q

Why did the mistake with thalidomide happen?

A

It was not tested on pregnant animals/humans for use as a cure for morning sickness, it was only tested as a sleeping pill.

12
Q

What could thalidomide be useful for in the future?

A
  • Leprosy

- Automimue

13
Q

What are statins used for?

A

To lower the risk of heart and circulatory disease

14
Q

How are clinical trials carried out?

A
  • There are two groups
  • Control group: given placebo
  • Experiment group: real treatment
    (Both are given in the same way)
  • It is a double-blind trial : neither the patient/doctor knows which group is which
15
Q

What is a placebo and why is it used?

A
  • A tablet/injection without the active drug - to see how the patient’s attitude and belief in treatment can affect how body responds
16
Q

Why is a double-blind trial used?

A

Doctors may be biased and looking for a certain result.

17
Q

What effects does smoking have on the body?

A
  • Heart disease (smoking raises blood pressure)
  • Tobacco smoke causes cancer
  • Emphysema (tar causes air sacs to break down)
  • Nicotine is very addictive
18
Q

What effects does alcohol have on the body?

A
  • Slows down the body’s reactions
  • Impaired judgement, poor co-ordination, unconsciousness
  • Liver disease, brain damage
19
Q

What effects can the misuse of illegal recreational drugs (e.g heroin, cocaine) have?

A

Adverse effects on the heart and circulatory system

20
Q

What effect does cannabis have on the body?

A

The smoke contains chemicals which may cause mental illness in some people

21
Q

What are the links some people make between cannabis and hard drugs?

A
  • The effects of cannabis create a desire to try harder drugs
  • Cannabis is a gateway drug - it brings users into contact with drug dealers
  • Cannabis users are genetically more likely to do drugs anyway, so they will take harder drugs
22
Q

What is the legislation on performance enhancing drugs?

A
  • Some are illegal
  • Some are available on prescription
  • All are banned by sporting regulations
23
Q

Why is the overall impact of legal drugs on health more than illegal ones on a population?

A

Because more people use them

24
Q

Why do addictive drugs cause dependency?

A

They change the chemical processes in people’s bodies so they suffer withdrawal symptoms without them.