Reading Medicine Labels

Medicine labels contain the information you need to use medicines correctly. Medicines, of course, can be very helpful. They relieve symptoms and can reduce pain. They also stop aches. But remember that most medicines are drugs. They can be harmful, too. Therefore, it is very important to read medicine labels carefully. The labels should be read before you use the medicine.

Over-the-counter medicines can be bought without a doctor's prescription. Labels on these medicines contain a great deal of information.

COLDAID Relieves coughs, fever, headaches due to colds. Active ingredients: Hexaphenol, Aspirin, Cloriniol. Manufactured by: Wonder Drugs, Yonkers, NY -

ü Name of product ü Symptoms the product will relieve ü Active ingredients ü Name and address of the company making the product

Over-the-counter medicine labels also give very specific directions for the use of a medicine.

DIRECTIONS FOR USE:   Take 2 tablets Every 4 hours Tablets can be chewed or swallowed with water.

The amount of each dose How frequently it may be taken How to take a dose

The label will also give various warnings or cautions:

WARNING:   Take no more, than 8 tablets daily over a 2-week period. To increase or extend dosage consult the physician. Do not take if taking tetracycline. May cause drowsiness.

Total dose that may be taken in one day Limit on number of days it can be taken Circumstances that require a doctor's supervision Warning that taking, this drug with other drugs may be hazardous Possible side effects

Comprehension:

Study the following label carefully. Answer the questions about it.

1. What is the name of this product? 2. List the symptoms this product is supposed to relieve. 3. How much of this product is to be taken for each dose? 4. How often may a dose be taken? 5. What is the maximum amount of this product that can be taken in a 24-hour period? 6. What signals mean that you should stop using this product? 7. What other cautions should the buyer observe?

Consumer Information

DAYCARE

DAYTIME COLDS MEDICINE

Purpose of product:

To provide hours of relief from the nasal congestion, coughing, aches and pains, and cough irritated throat of a cold or flu without drowsy side effects.

Benefits from product:

helps clear stuffy nose, congested sinus openings

calms, quiets coughing

eases headache pain and the ache-all-over feeling

soothes cough irritated throat

No drowsy side effects. Non-narcotic

Relieves these cold symptoms to let you get your day off to a good start.

Directions for use:

Adults:12 and over - one fluid ounce in medicine cup provided (2 tablespoonfuls)

Children:6-12-one half fluid ounce in medicine cup provided (1 tablespoonful) May be repeated

every four (4) hours as needed.

Maximum 4 doses per day.

Warning:

Do not administer to children under 6 years of age unless directed by physician. Persistent cough may indicate the presence of a serious condition. Persons with a high fever or persistent cough or with high blood pressure, diabetes, heart or thyroid disease should not use this prescription unless directed by physician. Do not use more than ten days unless directed by physician. Do not exceed recommended dosage unless directed by physician. KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN

Text 5

Pain

Before you read the article, discuss these questions with a partner.

· Can you give a definition of “pain”?

· Why do we feel pain?

· What would happen if you could feel no pain?

Pain is a vital part of our body's defences, and without it we could not survive.

Pain warns us what things are dangerous, and so helps us avoid damage to our body. If the body is already damaged, pain helps with healing because it makes us protect our injuries. Some babies are born with a rare condition that makes them unable to feel pain. They do not learn the lessons that pain teaches, and as a result suffer many fractures and infections.

Pain happens when nerve endings in our skin and our internal organs send messages through the central nervous system to our brain. The brain itself cannot feel pain. There are two types of pain - acute pain, which lasts a short time and is removed when the cause is cured, and chronic pain, which can last a lifetime and cannot usually be treated. Chronic pain must be managed using drugs or other methods. Drugs relieve pain in two ways. Some block the nerves’ messages and prevent them getting to the brain. Others change the way the brain receives the messages, reducing their effect. Many methods of controlling chronic pain without drugs have been developed. These include hypnosis, acupuncture, massage, and electronic stimulation of nerves.

Pain sometimes works in strange ways. It is possible, for example, to suffer a serious injury but not feel any pain - soldiers in battle may not feel pain from wounds until after the battle. The opposite can happen too - patients who lose a limb can continue to feel pain in the limb long afterwards, even though it is missing. This 'phantom limb' pain is an example of neuropathic pain, caused by damage to the remaining nerves.