OTC Products, Dr. Basavaraj K. Nanjwade

1. OTC PRODUCTS
Dr. Basavaraj K. NanjwadeM. Pharm., Ph. D
Department of Pharmaceutics
Faculty of Pharmacy
Omer Al-Mukhtar University
Tobruk, Libya.
E-mail: nanjwadebk@gmail.com
2014/06/17 1
Faculty of Pharmacy, Omer Al-Mukhtar
University, Tobruk, Libya.

2. CONTENTS
• Introduction (antacid products)
• Antidiarrheal products
• Laxative products
• Cold and allergy products
• Constipation
• Acne vulgaris
• References
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Faculty of Pharmacy, Omer Al-Mukhtar University,
Tobruk, Libya.

3. Introduction
(antacid products)
• Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs are those available
without a prescription. These are also called as non-
prescription drugs.
• OTC drugs enable people to relieve many bothersome
symptoms and to cure some diseases simply and
without the cost of seeing a doctor.
• In addition to the substances such as aspirin and
acetaminophen that people typically think of as OTC
drugs, many other commonly available products are
considered OTC drugs.
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Faculty of Pharmacy, Omer Al-Mukhtar University,
Tobruk, Libya.

4. Historical Background
• At one time, most drugs were available without a
prescription.
• Before the FDA existed, just about anything could be
put in a bottle and sold as a sure-fire cure.
• An amendment to the FD & C Act in 1951 attempted
to clarify the difference between OTC and
prescription drugs and to deal with issues of drug
safety.
• As noted by an amendment to the FD & C Act of
1962, OTC drugs were required to be both effective
and safe.
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Faculty of Pharmacy, Omer Al-Mukhtar University,
Tobruk, Libya.

5. Antacid products
• Antacids neutralize stomach acid.
• Although antacids cannot completely neutralize
stomach acid, they can raise the pH level in the
stomach from 2 (very acidic) to between 3 and 4.
• This increase neutralizes almost 99% of stomach acid
and significantly relieves symptoms for most people.
• Antacids provide relief more quickly than H2 blockers,
but H2 blockers provide longer-lasting relief.
• Most antacid products contain one or more of four
active ingredients: aluminum salts, magnesium salts,
calcium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate.
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Faculty of Pharmacy, Omer Al-Mukhtar University,
Tobruk, Libya.
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6. • Sodium Bicarbonate: One of the least expensive and
most radily available antacids is sodium bicarbonate,
or baking soda, neutralizes acid quickly. Too much
bicarbonate can disturb body’s acid-base balance and
lead to metabolic alkalosis.
• Calcium Carbonate: Calcium carbonate acts fast
and neutralizes acids for a relatively long time. It is
an inexpensive source of calcium. Amounts range
from 500 to 1000 milligrams per tablet or dose. The
maximum daily amount sholud not exceed 2000
milligrams.
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Faculty of Pharmacy, Omer Al-Mukhtar University,
Tobruk, Libya.
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Antacid products

7. Antidiarrheal products
• These include loperamide and bismuth subsalicylate.
• Loperamide works by slowing down the speed of
fluids moving through your bowels.
• Bismuth subsalicylate works by balancing the way
fluid moves through your bowels.
• It also binds toxins (poisons) from bacteria so that
they are not harmful and helps kill germs.
• Because bismuth subsalicylate contains salicylate, it
is not taken with pain relievers such as aspirin which
too contains salicylate.
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Faculty of Pharmacy, Omer Al-Mukhtar University,
Tobruk, Libya.

8. Laxative products
• Laxatives are used for occasional constipation when
bowel movements are infrequent or difficult.
01 Bulk-forming laxatives Methylcellulose
02 Lubricants Mineral oil
03 Stool softeners Docusate sodium
04 Saline laxatives Magnesium hydroxide (milk of magnesia)
05 Stimulant laxatives Bisacodyl
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Faculty of Pharmacy, Omer Al-Mukhtar University,
Tobruk, Libya.

9. • Bulk-forming laxative add bulk and water to your stools.
• Lubricant laxatives work by coating the surface of the
stools.
• This helps the stools hold in water so they move out of
the body more easily.
• Stool softeners help mix fluid into stools to soften them,
makes stools easier to pass out of the body.
• Saline laxatives draw fluid into the bowel from nearby
tissue.
• Laxative softens stools and helps the bowel move them
out.
Laxative products
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Faculty of Pharmacy, Omer Al-Mukhtar University,
Tobruk, Libya.

10. • Stimulant laxatives are the harshest laxatives. They
cause the bowel to squeeze or contract to move the
stools out.
• Laxatives are not supposed to take for longer than 1
week unless doctor advised.
• Long-term use or overuse of laxatives can cause
health problems.
• They can be used on a daily basis to help ease
symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and other
bowel problems.
Laxative products
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Faculty of Pharmacy, Omer Al-Mukhtar University,
Tobruk, Libya.

11. Cold products
• Occasionally a cold or cough may be a sign of a more
serious disorder.
• Ideally, each cold symptom should be treated with a
single drug.
• Cold remedies containing antihistamines should not
be taken with alcohol, sleep aids, tranquilizers or
other drugs that also cause drowsiness and decrease
alertness.
• Such a combination may intensify the sedating effects
of the drugs.
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Faculty of Pharmacy, Omer Al-Mukhtar University,
Tobruk, Libya.

12. Allergy products
• For allergies affecting the nose and respiratory tract
(such as hay fever), OTC antihistamines that can be
taken by mouth are available.
• For allergies affecting the skin, creams or lotions that
contain an antihistamine, such as diphenhydramine
can be applied to the skin.
• Lotions, creams and ointments that contain
hydrocortisone, acorticosteroid are effective in
relieving itching associated with allergies, minor skin
irritations and inflammation.
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Faculty of Pharmacy, Omer Al-Mukhtar University,
Tobruk, Libya.

13. Constipation
• Scientific definitions rely mostly on stool number;
most surveys have found the normal stool frequency
on a western diet to be at least 3 times a week.
• Aluminum salts, which dissolve slowly in the
stomach, start to work gradually but provide long-
lasting relief.
• Constipation related to medications can be corrected
by use of alternatives, where possible, or adjustment
of drug dosage.
• In addition to treating constipation, laxatives
frequently are employed.
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Faculty of Pharmacy, Omer Al-Mukhtar University,
Tobruk, Libya.

14. Acne vulgaris
• Acne vulgaris (commonly called acne) is common
skin condition. It is caused by changes in the
pilosebaceous units, skin structures consisting of a
hair follicle and its associated sebaceous gland.
• The two ingredients found in most OTC products are
benzoyl peroxide cream and salicylic acid.
• Benzoyl peroxide cream kills the acne causing
bacteria and causes the skin to dry and flake off-
which prevents the clogging of pores.
• Salicylic acid often comes in cotton pads that are
soaked in the solution and used to exfoliate the skin.
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Faculty of Pharmacy, Omer Al-Mukhtar University,
Tobruk, Libya.

15. THANK YOUe-mail: nanjwadebk@gmail.com
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Faculty of Pharmacy, Omer Al-Mukhtar University,
Tobruk, Libya.