Minds On
Time for your medicine
Sometimes when someone is not feeling well, they may need to take medicine. It can be for many reasons, including a cough or cold, a headache, to take care of diabetes, or an infection.
Press ‘Definition’ to explore what medicine is.
Medicine: something (like a pill or liquid) used to prevent, cure, or treat a disease, pain, injury, or other symptoms.
It is important to tell a trusted adult when you are not feeling well. They can decide with a doctor what medicine, if any, is needed.
Medicine can be stored in a medicine cabinet. Medicine cabinets can have prescription medicine or non-prescription medicine. It is important to not touch or take anything from a medicine cabinet and instead ask a caring adult for help.
Types of medicine
There are two types of medicine: prescription medicine and non-prescription medicine. Explore the images to discover some features of prescription and non-prescription medicine.
Prescription medicine
The following are images of prescription medicine and some features. This is medicine that is specially ordered by a doctor and only available from the pharmacist.
Prescription medicine comes in many different forms, including pills, liquids, or creams.
Prescription medicine is made just for one person. Their name is on the bottle. The bottle also includes instructions and the doctor’s name.
A pharmacist is the only person who can specially prepare prescription medicine.
A doctor has written a note for a patient to give to the pharmacist so they can get their medication. This is called a prescription.
Non-prescription medicine
The following are images of non-prescription medicines. It is medicine that may be bought in a pharmacy or a grocery store without a doctor’s prescription. Some examples of non-prescription medicines are vitamins, cough syrup, pain relievers, and antacids.
Anyone can buy vitamins to help with their health.
They don’t always taste the best, but they help when you’re feeling sick.
Non-prescription medicine can be bought in places like a drugstore, pharmacy, or grocery store.
Pause and Reflect
Pause and reflect
While exploring the images, consider the following question:
Why might someone have to take medicine?
What’s the difference?
There are two different types of medicines.
Can you identify the differences between each type?
- prescription medicine
- non-prescription medicine
Record your thoughts using any method of your choice. If possible, share your thoughts with a partner.
Action
Different kinds of medication
As we explored in the Minds On section, there are different kinds of medications that we take.
Prescription medication
Some are called prescription medication. On a prescription bottle, there will always be three things: a name, a prescription number, and the doctor’s name that prescribed it. You will usually see the instructions on how to take the medication. They are made just for one person. Their name is on the bottle.
Prescription medicine is taken only:
- when ordered by a doctor or a dentist
- if it is ordered for you — it has your name on it
- when prepared by a pharmacist
What can you find?
Explore the following medicine label. Working with a partner, if possible, can you identify:
- Who is this medicine for?
- What is the doctor’s name?
- What are the directions to take the medicine?
Record you answers using a method of your choice.
Student Tips
On the label
Prescription medicine has a special label that has:
- your name
- your doctor’s name
- the type of medicine
- the directions on how to take the medicine
Non-prescription medications
Some medications are called non-prescription medications. You can buy them at the drugstore. These types of medications do not need to be prescribed by a doctor.
It is important to be safe around different types of medicine. We must only take medicine that is meant for us and under the supervision of a caring adult. It is important we read the label to make sure we are taking the right medicine and the right amount. We must also follow the doctor’s instructions on how to take the medicine.
Matching activity
Explore the following images, and then sort them as either prescription or non-prescription medicine.
Select the correct answer, then press ‘Check Answer’ to see how you did.
Medication and your safety
Even if you are taking over-the-counter medicine (not prescribed by a doctor), there are special instructions that your parent or guardian needs to follow. Medicine should never be taken without an adult present.
Explore each of the safety tips and reflect on if you agree of disagree with the rule.
- Always keep medicines in their original containers.
- Keep medicines out of the reach of children.
- Only take medicine that an adult that is caring for you gives to you.
- Read and follow the instructions on the label.
- Dispose of expired medicines regularly and safely.
Record you answers using a method of your choice.
Consolidation
Being safe around medicine
We learned about prescription and non-prescription medicines and some safety rules about these medicines.
Complete the Safe or Unsafe Chart in your notebook or using the following fillable and printable document. If you would like, you can use speech-to-text or audio recording tools to record your thoughts.
Sort the following:
Taking too much medicine
Reading the medicine label
Following the doctor’s instructions
Taking medicine without a caring adult
| Safe use of medicine | Unsafe use of medicine |
|---|---|
Press the ‘Activity’ button to access Safe or Unsafe Chart.
After you have filled in your chart, press ‘Check’ to check your answers.
| Safe use of medicine | Unsafe use of medicine |
|---|---|
|
Reading the medicine label Following the doctor’s instructions |
Taking too much medicine Taking medicine without a caring adult |
What’s the difference?
Consider the images below of a prescription and non-prescription medicine. Can you tell the difference between the two? How do you know? Share your thoughts with a partner if possible.
There are two bottles. The first bottle has a medicine label; doctor's name is Dr. B. Smart, patient is Amy Smith, and medicine is acetaminophen. Directions: Take one tablet every day. The other bottle is labelled ‘Cough Syrup’ on the front.
Reflection
How do you feel about what you have learned in this activity? Which of the next four sentences best matches how you are feeling about your learning? Press the button that is beside this sentence.
I feel…
Now, record your ideas about your feelings using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.
Press ‘Discover More’ to extend your skills.
Discover MoreExplore the following Raven’s Quest video to learn more about Chyyah, including her mom’s workshop where she harvests medicine.