Lesson 13.1: Over-the-Counter and Prescription Drugs

Overview

This lesson focuses on over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription drugs. An emphasis is placed on using OTC and prescription drugs safely, reading labels, and abuse of OTC and prescription drugs. Lastly, performance-enhancing drugs and diet pills are discussed.

Learning Targets

  • LO1: Compare and contrast the similarities and differences between over-the-counter and prescription medications.
  • LO2: Explain the general purpose of a drug facts label.
  • LO3: Describe why the use of prescription drugs is one of the major drug problems in the United States.
  • LO4: Analyze why teens might continue using OTC and prescription drugs other than the way they should be used.

Preparation

Chapter Opener: Use the chapter 13 What Do I Know About Legal and Illicit Drugs? self-assessment to introduce the chapter before moving on to Lesson 13.1 or assign the self-assessment as a homework task before starting this lesson.

For the Warm-Up Activity: Write the Journal Question on the board or identify (and copy as needed) the worksheets you plan to use:

For the Content Focus: Open the Lesson 13.1 PowerPoint slides or make copies of the Lesson 13.1 Note-Taking Guide.

For the Lesson Focus: Copy the Lesson 13.1 Skill-Building Challenge Worksheet: Making Healthy Decisions.

Warm-Up Activity

Select a warm-up activity to help get your class focused and on task.

  • Self-Assessment: Have students complete the What Do I Know About Legal and Illicit Drugs? self-assessment.
  • Journal Question: Explain why teens may use a friend’s prescription medicine.
    • Option: Write or project the question and have students respond in their journal or on their “bell ringer” sheet as they enter class.
    • Option: Have students discuss the question with a partner or in a small group.
  • Vocabulary Review: Have students work individually, in pairs, or in small groups to complete the Lesson 13.1 Vocabulary Review Worksheet.
  • Quiz: Have students complete the Lesson 13.1 Quiz to assess their prior knowledge.
    • Option: Collect the quiz and use it alongside a posttest to demonstrate student learning.
    • Option: Have students share their answers with a partner and then go over the answers together as a class.

Lesson Content

Review the content from the textbook lesson.

Lesson Focus: Advocating the Proper Use of Prescription Medications

  1. Give each student a copy of the Skill-Building Challenge Worksheet: Advocating for the Proper Use of Prescription Medications.
  2. Have students either work individually or with others to brainstorm how to advocate for using prescription medications properly.
  3. Once students have ideas, have them use the Advocacy Skill Cues to complete the challenge.

Challenge Activity

Have students needing an additional challenge work on the following Thinking Critically task.

Alex started taking a friend’s prescription medication. Why might Alex be unlikely to tell his doctor or pharmacist about this?

Reflection and Summary

Review the critical content from today’s lesson. Review the learning targets and ask students to answer each question posed.

Can you...

  • Compare and contrast the similarities and differences between over-the-counter and prescription medications?

    Both OTC and prescription medications are used to maintain health or to treat health issues, ease symptoms, prevent or manage diseases, relieve pain, and treat multiple conditions.

    An OTC drug

    • does not require a doctor’s prescription,
    • is bought off the shelf in stores, and
    • can be used by more than one person.

    A prescription drug

    • is prescribed by a doctor,
    • is bought at a pharmacy, and
    • is prescribed for and to be used by only one person.

  • Explain the general purpose of a drug facts label?

    The general purpose of the label is to tell you what the drug is used for and how to use it safely.

  • Describe why the use of prescription drugs by teens is one of the major drug problems in the United States?

    Prescription drugs are easily accessible. Teens are curious about their effects and may use them to feel better about themselves and their situations or decrease physical and emotional pain. Some teens use them to improve their academics and sports.

  • Analyze why teens might continue using OTC and prescription drugs other than the way they should be used?

    The energy and alertness teens can get from various OTC and prescription drugs cause teens to continue using them beyond what they’re prescribed for because as the drugs wear off, teens want to get the good feeling back.

Assessment

Complete one or more of the following assessment tasks for this lesson.

Take It Home

Talk to a family member about the OTC or prescription medicine they take and the dangers of misusing it. Ask the family member if they have ever asked their doctor or a pharmacist about whether it is safe to take it with other medicines.

Option: Assign the What Do I Know About Legal and Illicit Drugs? self-assessment as a homework task if it was not used at the start of this lesson.