5.4 - Medicines and Cosmetics

Traditional and Modern Medicines

• Medicines are chemicals used to treat or prevent disease. They are safe when taken correctly but misuse or abuse is harmful.
• Traditional medicines come from plants or animals and are not chemically processed. Plant parts may be crushed for external application or boiled to extract substances for oral use; processed products are also sold as pills or capsules.
• Examples of traditional uses include ginger for removing wind, preventing colds and warming the body; aloe vera for skin conditions and burns; ginseng for immunity and lowering blood pressure and cholesterol; and tamarind juice for coughs and skin brightening.
• Modern medicines originate from plants, microorganisms or synthetic chemicals and are available as pills, capsules, powders and liquids.

Types of Modern Medicines

Type	Function, examples and cautions
Analgesics	Aspirin and paracetamol relieve pain while the patient remains conscious; codeine relieves pain and also relieves cough and treats diarrhoea. Analgesics should follow a doctor’s prescription. Aspirin is acidic and may cause stomach ulcers and is unsuitable for gastric patients or children; paracetamol overdose damages the liver; codeine causes drowsiness.
Antimicrobials	Antibiotics such as penicillin and streptomycin kill or slow bacteria and must be completed to prevent resistance and recurrence of disease. Antiseptics such as hydrogen peroxide, iodine and boric acid are for external skin use. Disinfectants such as alcohol and formaldehyde destroy pathogens on non-living surfaces. Penicillin allergy can be fatal; an Allergy Alert Card identifies affected patients. Antiseptics must not be swallowed.
Psychotic drugs	Haloperidol, chlorpromazine and clozapine treat psychosis, in which patients see, hear or believe things that are not real. Prescription use is required; side effects include involuntary movements, stiffness and tremors.
Anti-allergies	Antihistamines relieve runny nose and itching. They require prescribed use and may cause drowsiness; high doses can cause dry mouth, blurred vision and constipation.
Corticosteroids	Betamethasone valerate and prednisolone relieve inflammation, swelling, redness, itching, allergies, asthma and arthritis. Prescription use is required. Long-term use can cause facial swelling, high blood pressure and increased blood glucose.

Effectiveness and Responsible Use of Medicines

• Modern and traditional medicines may treat similar illnesses, but their efficacy can differ.
• Modern medicines undergo clinical trials. Some traditional medicines lack sufficient observational data to verify efficacy or establish a correct dosage.
• Wrong dosage can cause adverse effects and abuse: incomplete antibiotic use promotes resistance, some herbal products can cause liver and kidney failure, and codeine can cause addiction.
• The Traditional and Complementary Medicine Act 2016 sets government criteria for traditional treatment.
• The National Traditional and Complementary Medicine Policy promotes safe, quality medicines and treatment; NPRA supervises medicine safety and cosmetic quality.
• A placebo resembles a medicine but has no therapeutic value.

Cosmetics and Their Ingredients

• Cosmetics are materials or products used externally to cleanse, protect or enhance appearance.

Ingredient	Function and example
Water	Solvent in production
Dye	Adds colour; iron(III) oxide
Emulsifier	Forms a homogeneous oil-water mixture; lecithin, stearic acid
Preservative	Prevents spoilage; paraben, formaldehyde
Thickener	Thickens the product; glycerin, xanthan gum
Moisturiser	Retains moisture; glycerin, sodium lactate
Fragrance	Gives a pleasant smell; essential oils

• Main groups are makeup cosmetics such as powder, lipstick, eyebrow pencils, blusher, eye shadow, eyeliner and mascara; treatment cosmetics such as creams, moisturisers and facial masks; and fragrances such as deodorants and perfumes.

Safe Use of Cosmetics

• Homemade cosmetics can be inexpensive and easy to produce from natural ingredients. Safe, high-quality ingredients are needed to avoid harmful chemicals and obtain the desired effects.
• Commercial products may contain illegally added harmful substances or make misleading claims.
• Mercury can irritate skin and damage kidneys and the nervous system; hydroquinone reduces pigmentation and makes skin hypersensitive to ultraviolet radiation; betamethasone valerate can irritate and alter pigmentation; tretinoin can cause redness and peeling.
• Check ingredients and verify that a product is registered with the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency. Sales and production are governed by the Control of Drugs and Cosmetics Regulations 1984.