Medicines and Cosmetics

 

Definition of medicines
Chemicals used to help with the treatment or prevention of diseases
 
  • Medicines can be classified into traditional medicines and modern medicines.
  • Medicines are safe if taken properly.
  • Generally, medicines are for health use, but misuse or abuse of them can be harmful.
 

Traditional medicines

 
  • Obtained from herbal plants or animals and are not chemically processed.
  • Usually prepared by crushing certain parts of the plants using pestle and mortar and rubbing on sore limbs.
  • There are also certain parts of the plants or animals that are boiled to get the essence and to be consumed orally.
  • Nowadays, traditional medicines have evolved through processing, and marketed in the form of pills or capsules.
 
Definition of traditional medicines
Medicines obtained from plants and animals and are not chemically processed

 

Source of traditional medicine

Function

Ginseng root

Improves health

Tamarind

The juice from its fruit can relieve cough

Garlic

Lessen infection and high blood pressure

Cloves

Relieves toothache

Sirih leaves

Relieves eyesore

Turmeric

Decreases pimples

Papaya tree

The juice can relieve skin irritation

Hibiscus tree

The leaves can relieve headache and decreases hair loss

Coconut tree

The coconut water can reduce fever

Aloe vera

The juice can reduce the pain from burned skin

 

Modern medicines

 
  • Rapid developments in the field of medicine through new technologies, such as biotechnology, nanotechnology and genetic engineering, have boost the production of modern medicine in the pharmaceutical industry.
  • Most modern medicines produced today come from plants, microorganisms or synthetic chemicals.
  • Modern medicines are available in various forms, such as pills, capsules, powders and liquids.
 
Definition of modern medicines
Medicines manufactured industrially and distributed to consumers in this age
 

Types Modern medicines

 
Example Function
Analgesics
Aspirin and paracetamol Relieves pain in conscious state
Codeine Relieves pain, alleviates coughs and treats diarrhoea
Antimicrobials
Antibiotics Kills or retard bacterial growth
Antiseptics Applied externally on the skin to kill or stop the growth of microbes on the skin and mucous membranes
Disinfectants Destroys pathogens found on non-living objects
Psychotic drugs
  • Haloperidol
  • Chlorpromazine
  • Clozapine
Treatment for psychosis, a symptom of mental illness that causes patients to see, hear and believe something that is not real
Anti allergies
Antihistamines To relieve runny nose and itchiness
Corticosteroids
  • Betamethasone valerate
  • Prednisolone
  • Provide relief to the inflamed area.
  • Reduce swelling, redness, itchiness, allergic reactions, asthma and arthritis.

 

The side effect of medicines

Type of medicine

Example

Side effect

Antibiotic

Penicillin

  • Some might be allergic to penicillin.
  • Symptoms; itchiness, shortness of breath

Analgesic

Aspirin

  • Skin rash
  • Unconsciousness

Antipsychotic

Stimulant

  • Addiction
  • Abuse of amphetamine

Antipsychotic

  • Addiction