### drug | medication:

Oral medication
* Some oral medications can cause problems in the elderly
  - do have an effect in decreasing the enzymes that metabolize alcohol
  - offer help, but with significant risks
* are as outlined above, the first line drugs for mild inflammation
  - difficult to administer to a specific individual unless in a captive situation
  - for take home use until the patient can have a prescription filled
  - less expensive than intravenous medications and have fewer hidden costs
* can be useful when acne affects the skin on multiple areas of the body
  - treat the symptoms for several years but eventually lose their effectiveness
* come in tablet, capsule, and liquid forms.
* have a long history in spasticity management.
* is also the effective way to treat contagious ringworm of the scalp
* tend to work better for nail fungus but are costly and require a prescription.

### drug | medication:

Pain medication
* Many pain medications require higher doses after a few days.
* Most pain medications cause side effects, some more serious than others.
* Some pain medications are dangerous if they are taken with other types of drugs
  - given by injection right after surgery, and only one dose is given
  - can cause allergic reactions
* Take acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain.
* are either non-opioids or opioids.
* can affect breathing
  - cause side effects that include drowsiness, sleepiness, nausea and vomiting
  - disguise signs and symptoms of appendicitis and other disorders
* dull the central nervous system.
* ease the discomfort which can last for up to seven days.
* has a calming effect and helps to lessen air hunger and the sense of distress.
* have their own life- threatening complications
  - life-threatening complications
* help make activity more comfortable.
* is administered postoperatively and maintained as long as is needed
  - an example of supportive care
  - given to ease any pain
  - injected continuosly by a pump into the epidural space
* is only one aspect, of effective pain management
  - way to manage pain effectively
* work best if they are used when the first signs of pain occur.
* works best in preventing pain before it hurts.

Preoperative medication
* are helpful for a variety of reasons.
* can affect postoperative pain.

Prescribed medication
* Many prescribed medications can cause mental loss.
* aids alcoholics to return to a life free of dependancy.
* are by far the most prevalent form of treatment for depression
  - now the fourth leading cause of death in the United States
* can react dangerously with alcohol, drugs or other illegal substances.

### drug | medication:

Prescription medication
* All prescription medications carry the risk of side-effects and adverse effects.
* Many prescription medications make individuals more sensitive to the heat.
* Most prescription medications come in only two or three sizes
  - have a list of adverse reactions and side effects
* Some prescription medications can cause depression.
* Some prescription medications can help minimize symptoms and have fewer side effects than others
* Some prescription medications contain acetaminophen
  - banned substances
  - contribute to weight gain, usually by increasing appetite
  - interact with grapefruit or grapefruit juice
  - work by changing the way the brain receives pain signals
* are appropriate for medical emergencies
  - often available as both brand name products and generic products
  - one of the most powerful interventions for treating patient illnesses
  - the fastest-rising part of the nation's health care expenditures
* are the most cost-effective form of health care
  - frequent cause of neutropenia
* can affect thermoregulation in hot environments
  - be very expensive for consumers
  - help to balance out the hormones
  - provide good relief of symptoms
* deplete the body of essential nutrients.
* is located in drawers
  - suitcases