vol2 - Page 64
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]0. :AmI_cher_m m_d_cal way _o det_rm_r_ chru_ saf_y _ _al led the
-- therapeuic ratio. .i_is ratio de?ines the difference between a therapeutically 7
effective dose and_a ,dose which is. capable of inducing ,adverse effects°
ll,_ A commonly _sed over-the-counter product _ike _spi_rin has a
therapeutic ratio o_ around l :20. Two aspirins are the recommended dose for )
adult patiemts, Twenty times this dose, forty aspirins, may cause a lethal
• _ :>macti_m_fn:some_.)ati(nts, and will almost certainly cause gross injury to the
digestive system, including extensive internal bleeding_ )
12o The therapeutic ratio for prescribed drugs is commonly around I :10
or lower, Val_um,"_ conmonly useU prescriptive drug',, may cause very ser,lous
__i_al damage if patients use ten times the recommended {tberapebtic) c_OSeo
13_ There are, of course, prescriptive drugs which have much lower
therapeutic ratios. Many of the drugs used to treat patients woith cancer,
glaucoma and multiple sclerosis are highly toxic_ ° The therapeutic ratio of
some of t)e drugs used In antineoplastic therapies, for examples are regarded as
- extmemely toxic poisons with therapeutic ratios that may fall below l :t.5.
These drugs also have ve. ry low LD-50 ratios and can result in toxic, even lethal
reacti ons, while being properly employed
14., By contrast, marijuana:s therapeutic ratio, like its LD-50, is
Impossible to quantify because it is so high,
15. In strict medical terms marijuana is far safer than ma_y foods we
comonly consume. For example, eating ten raw potatoes can result i_ a toxic
response, By comparison, it is physically impossible to eat enough marijuana to >
induce deatho
16. Marijuana, in its natural form, is one of the safest tberapeutical ly
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