over the counter medication :. overview of otc medications (harris survey) > 100,000 otc products...
TRANSCRIPT
Overview of OTC Medications (Harris Survey) > 100,000 OTC Products Few unique active ingredients > 700 are former Rx meds
Some Interesting OTC Facts: 3/5 people have used an OTC
medication in the last 6 months This is slightly more than who used
an Rx medication in the last 6 months
Basic Points: Medication v. Drug MOST medications can cause
• Nausea• Vomiting• Diarrhea• Dizziness• Drowsiness
Interesting Facts and OTC Problems: People don’t consider OTC’s real
medicine. People just don’t know what is in
these medications, and many contain the same active ingredients.
Only 34% of consumers could identify the active ingredient in the medicine they were taking.
OTC Medication Use by Category: Most common uses include:
Pain (78%) Cough, cold, flu (52%) Allergy and sinus (45%) Heartburn, stomach (37%) Constipation, diarrhea (21%) Skin problems (10%)
For Example: Pain
Most common ingredients:• Acetaminophen (Tylenol aka, APAP)• Aspirin (Many)• Ibuprofen (Motrin IB, Advil)• Naproxen (Aleve) and ketoprofen (Orudis)• Caffeine• Buffers, coatings, long acting, strongest
pain reliever you can buy without a prescription….
Pain Acetaminophen (apap)
• first line treatment in those < 18• Generally causes few problems• Is very safe to use
Aspirin• should be avoided in the under 18 age
group • Reye’s syndrome• Other problems usually associated with
stomach distress (NVD)
Pain Ibuprofen
• Fine to use in the <18 age group• Works about as well as apap • Caution if kids are dehydrated• Sometimes used in combo with APAP• Dizziness, plus stomach problems
CAUTION• Aspirin / ibuprofen allergies a concern, in some cases
you are seeing students after their first dose of a medication!
• Hives, shortness of breath, facial swelling, difficulty breathing or swallowing, itching, feeling funny
• Seek medical assistance immediately
Cough, Cold and Flu, Allergy and Sinus Decongestants (stuffy)
Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed)• PPA removed from the market, others include
phenylepherine, and some nasal sprays (Afrin)• Have been associated with hallucinations,
hypertension, irritability and hyperactivity• Can also cause drowsiness, especially as as the
dose wears off• Products are available for very young children,
but dosing is critical, so use pediatric dosage forms and measure carefully
Cough, Cold and Flu, Allergy and Sinus Antihistamines (runny)
• Claritin, Alavert (loratidine) Diphenhydramine (Benadryl), chlor and brompheniramine (Chlortrimeton, Dimetapp)
• Alone, usually cause drowsiness• In combination, variable effects• NLD – 1:05 AM• Kids need plenty of fluids when taking these,
helps with drowsiness and dry mouth, PLUS MORE
Cough Cough suppressants
DM = dextromethorophan• Drowsiness, dizziness, NV
Codeine• Have to sign for OTC use• Not recommended for infants• Small or young children, can be used with caution
Expectorants• Guiafenesin (basic ingredient in most)• Usually no problem, need to use with water, works
about as well as water in OTC doses.• No, water probably works better…
Combination Products are very popular because they have
many choices• Plain, DM, CF, PE, Orange, Grape
These products may contain• Antihistamines• Decongestants• Cough suppressants• Expectorants
Heartburn, Stomach, Gas Antacids – many, many
• Maalox, Riopan, Gaviscon, and plenty more• Tagament, Zantac, Pepcid, etc.
Gas Simethicone
• Breaks up the gas bubbles so they can be expelled and not cause pain. These products do not reduce the amount of gas!
• Gas X• Mylicon• Many generics available
Constipation and Diarrhea The most amazing products that treat
both! How do they know?
• Equilactin• Balances water in the colon to properly form
stools, adds fiber.
Skin Problems Key here is contagiousness
• Is the problem going to spread?• Bacterial, fungal, yes.• Contact dermatologic problems, usually
not.• OTC Skin products usually present few
problems• Neosporin, Polysporin, Micatin, Lotrimin, Lamasil,
Aveeno, Bacitracin, Ivy Dry, Calamine, Hydrocortisone, etc.
• Local reactions possible, sensitivity
Surprising? 49 percent of consumers get
information from ads 57 percent get their information
from a health professional
10 Tips on OTC use1. Read the label2. Treat only the symptoms you have3. Know what to avoid while taking OTCs – beware
of interactions4. ASK before you buy5. Use as directed on the label6. Be careful if you take > 1 OTC 7. Don’t mix Rx and OTCs including herbals8. Give your doctor a list of ALL meds9. For kids, use pediatric formulas10. Throw meds away if they are expired