Have you ever wondered what kind of secrets are hidden behind the colorful tablets in that small medicine box at home? Today, we explore this mysterious world together, so that the knowledge of medicine is no longer out of reach, but a part of our lives.
1. Preliminary study of drug knowledge
Medicine, in simple terms, is a substance that is used to treat, prevent, diagnose a disease, or alleviate the symptoms of a disease. Where do they come from? Some are extracted from natural plants, animals, or minerals, and some are synthesized through advanced biotechnology or chemical methods. The classification of drugs is even more varied, such as antibiotics, analgesics, anti-allergy drugs, etc.
1. Antimicrobial drugs: mainly used to treat infection symptoms caused by bacteria, such as antibiotics, sulfonamides, etc. Common antibiotics include penicillin, cephalosporins, etc., and it is necessary to follow the doctor's advice when using them to avoid abuse that leads to increased drug resistance.
2. Antiviral drugs: used to treat viral infections, such as influenza, herpes, etc. Common antiviral drugs such as oseltamivir, acyclovir, etc., should be used with side effects and interactions with other drugs.
3. Analgesic drugs: used to relieve pain, such as loxoprofen, ibuprofen, etc. Long-term use in large quantities may cause gastrointestinal reactions, liver and kidney damage, etc., so it should be used according to the doctor's instructions.
4. Cardiovascular drugs: used for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension and coronary heart disease, such as diuretics, ACE inhibitors, etc. Blood pressure, electrocardiogram and other indicators should be monitored regularly to ensure the efficacy and safety of the drug.
5. Antipsychotic drugs: used to treat psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia, depression, etc. These drugs have a high risk of side effects and should be used under the guidance of a medical professional, avoiding self-adjustment of dosage or discontinuation of the drug.
2. How to use drugs correctly?
1. Follow your doctor's instructions. Doctors are experts in drug use. They will prescribe the most suitable medication and dosage based on the patient's condition, age, weight, and other factors. Therefore, when we use drugs, we must follow the doctor's instructions, and do not increase or decrease the dose or change the drug at will.
2. Read the manual. The drug insert is like a "navigator" for us to use the drug. Before using the drug, we should read the instructions carefully to understand the information such as how to use the drug, dosage, possible side effects, etc.
3. Watch out for drug-drug interactions. Some medications, if used at the same time, may cause adverse effects and even worsen the condition. Therefore, when we use drugs, we should be careful to avoid concomitant use with other drugs, especially those that are not clearly stated to be used at the same time. If in doubt, consult a doctor.
Regular check-up: Patients who have been using drugs for a long time should go to the hospital for regular check-ups to understand the efficacy of the drugs and their physical condition. The doctor will adjust the dosage or change the medication according to the results of the follow-up examination to ensure the effectiveness and safety of the treatment.
3. Zero markup of hospital drugs - make drugs more accessible to the people
In recent years, in order to reduce the financial burden of patients, hospitals have begun to implement a zero-markup policy for drugs. This means that when hospitals purchase medicines, they do not increase the price of medicines, but sell them to patients at the purchase price. The implementation of this policy has undoubtedly brought good news to the majority of patients and made the drug more accessible to the people.
Understanding the classification and usage norms of commonly used drugs can not only help us better manage our health, but also prevent potential drug risks. Substance abuse and misuse can lead to a range of health problems that can be life-threatening. Therefore, we need to be cautious about the use of medications, always follow the doctor's advice and guidance, and work together to maintain a healthy living environment.
Author: Tong Lu
Source: Shenyang Tenth People's Hospital
Editor: Huang Wanqi
Proofreading: Yang Wei, Chen Zeming
Preliminary review: Zhuang Xiaochen
Review: Xu Jiang