Lesson 12.1: 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

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

Preparation

Chapter Opener: Complete the What Do I Know About Legal and Illicit Drugs? self-assessment to introduce the chapter before moving on to Lesson 12.1, 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 12.1 PowerPoint slides, or make copies of the Lesson 12.1 Note-Taking Guide.

For the Lesson Focus: Copy the Lesson 12.1 Promoting the Proper Use of Prescription Medications Skill-Building Challenge Worksheet.

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: List three ways you think OTC medications are different from prescription medications.
    • Option: Write or project the question, and have students respond in their journals 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 partners, or in small groups to complete the Lesson 12.1 Vocabulary Review Worksheet.
  • Quiz: Have students complete the Lesson 12.1 Quiz to assess their prior knowledge.
    • Option: Collect the quizzes, and use them alongside posttests 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.

  • Option: Use the Lesson 12.1 PowerPoint slides to review the chapter content.
  • Option: Have students use the Lesson 12.1 Note-Taking Guide to review chapter content. Ask students to work alone, in pairs, or in small groups. Review the questions as a class if time permits.

Lesson Focus: Influences on Your Wellness

  1. Give each student a copy of the Lesson 12.1 Promoting the Proper Use of Prescription Medications Skill-Building Challenge Worksheet.
  2. Have students work individually to complete the worksheet.
  3. Once the worksheet is done, ask students to pair up and share their responses.
  4. Create three topic webs on the board: Solutions, Who or What Will You Need for Support? and Potential Challenges.
  5. Ask for student volunteers to verbally share their responses for each, and record their answers on the board.

Challenge Activity

Have students who need an additional challenge work on the following critical-thinking task.

Find an OTC label online or in your home. Create a short poem or song that includes the critical information from the label that you think a person should know. Write down the poem or the lyrics.

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 differences between over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medication?

    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?

    In the United States, every OTC and prescription drug has 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. Any drug can cause side effects. Following the directions on the label can lower the chance of side effects. Taking a drug as prescribed will make sure it works the way it is supposed to.

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

    Prescription drug use by teens is one of the major drug problems in the United States for the following reasons:

    • Prescription drugs can be easy to get from friends, family, and acquaintances.
    • Some drugs reduce appetite and are often used for weight loss. The teens want to be accepted by their peers.
    • Some drugs increase alertness.
    • Some drugs can make people feel good or get high.
    • Some drugs can help people relax.
    • Some drugs can improve concentration.

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

    Teens may use OTC and prescription drugs to be more alert or to relax after a stressful time, thinking it will only be for a day or two. What they don’t realize is that they can feel sluggish and tired after the effects of the drugs wear off. Sometimes, these feelings can trigger the cycle to use again because they want to get the good feeling back.

Assessment

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

  • Quiz: Have students take the Lesson 12.1 Quiz.
  • Vocabulary Review: Collect the Lesson 12.1 Vocabulary Review Worksheets, and evaluate them for accuracy.
  • Note-Taking Guide: Collect the completed Lesson 12.1 Note-Taking Guides, and spot check one or more items for completion and accuracy.
  • Skill-Building Worksheet: Have students submit the Lesson 12.1 Promoting the Proper Use of Prescription Medications Skill-Building Challenge Worksheets, and use the Advocacy Holistic Rubric to evaluate their skill development.
  • Journal Question: Ask students to respond to the journal question again, adding information they learned from today’s class. Require a one-paragraph response that uses proper grammar.

Take It Home

Talk to a family member about the OTC medications and any other medications they take. Ask them if they have ever asked their doctor or a pharmacist about whether it is safe to take all their medications together.

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.