"Over-the-counter" (OTC) medicines are medications that can be purchased without a prescription from a healthcare professional. These medications are generally considered safe for use without direct supervision, but it's important for individuals to follow the recommended dosage and usage instructions. Here are some common categories of over-the-counter medicines:
1. **Pain Relievers:**
- **Acetaminophen (Tylenol):** Used for pain relief and reducing fever.
- **Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin):** Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that helps with pain, inflammation, and fever.
2. **Cold and Flu Medications:**
- **Decongestants:** Used to relieve nasal congestion (e.g., pseudoephedrine).
- **Antihistamines:** Help with allergy symptoms and some cold symptoms (e.g., loratadine, cetirizine).
- **Cough Suppressants:** Help reduce coughing (e.g., dextromethorphan).
- **Expectorants:** Aid in clearing mucus from the respiratory tract (e.g., guaifenesin).
3. **Allergy Medications:**
- **Antihistamines:** Used to relieve allergy symptoms such as itching, sneezing, and runny nose.
4. **Digestive Health:**
- **Antacids:** Provide relief from heartburn and indigestion.
- **H2 Blockers:** Reduce stomach acid production (e.g., ranitidine).
- **Laxatives:** Help relieve constipation.
5. **Topical Products:**
- **Pain Relieving Creams/Gels:** Applied to the skin to relieve pain (e.g., topical analgesics).
- **Hydrocortisone Cream:** Used for skin irritation and itching.
6. **First Aid:**
- **Antiseptics:** Used to clean wounds (e.g., hydrogen peroxide).
- **Adhesive Bandages:** For minor cuts and wounds.
7. **Sleep Aids:**
- **Diphenhydramine:** An antihistamine with sedative properties, often used for sleep (found in some OTC sleep aids).
8. **Oral Care:**
- **Toothpaste, Mouthwash, and Dental Floss:** Various products for oral hygiene.
- **Oral Pain Relief Gels:** Used for temporary relief of toothache or gum irritation.
It's crucial to read and follow the instructions on the packaging, especially regarding dosage and potential interactions with other medications. If you have any concerns about using OTC medications, or if you have existing health conditions or are taking other medications, it's advisable to consult with a healthcare professional before using them.
2. Group Members
DE SILVA S.P.A.S.S 8243
LAKSHAN U.J.I 8328
SAIHETHARAN.M 8371
RANATHUNGA M.H.S 8208
WANI S.I.D 8301
3. Introduction
• Over the counter medicines are drugs you can buy without a
prescription.
• These have little significant pharmacological activity and therefore
the physician need not to be very much concerned about their use
by the patients themselves.
• OTC medicines treat a variety of illness and their symptoms including
pain, cough , colds, diarrhea, constipation, acene and others etc.
• It is used primarily for symptomatic relief and not at substitutes for
prescription drugs.
• These drugs are nonprescription or over the counter.
5. Significance of Over-The-Counter Medicines
• Accessibility
• Treatment of common ailments
• Cost of effectiveness
• Empowerment
• Public health impact
• Education and awareness
6. OTCs are Most Commonly used for
PAIN COUGH, COLD AND SINUS HEART BURN STOMACH
CONSTIPATION
DIARRHEA SKIN PROBLEMS
7. Prescription and OTC drugs Tested
• The Food and Drug Administration is responsible to make sure the
drug manufacturing processes and the drugs themselves are safe
and effective
9. Special Patient Groups
• Many patient groups may be
particularly susceptible to adverse
events are caused by OTC Products
• They include Children, Women who
are pregnant or breast feeding,
Geriatric patients, People taking
prescription drugs and people
having health problems
10. Advantages and Disadvantages of OTC Medicines
Advantages Disadvantages
Accessibility Limited effectiveness
Cost - effective Lack of professional guidance
Immediate relief Potential for adverse reactions
Convenience Masking underlying conditions
Familiarity Incorrect self-diagnosis
11. Side Effects of OTC
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
13. OTC Label cont.
• Active Ingredients
• Warnings.
• Uses
• Direction
• Inactive Ingredients
• Measure It Correctly
• Question And Comment
14. Rules for Proper Over The Counter Medicines
• Always know what you are taking
• Know the effects
• Read and heed the warnings and cautions
• Don’t use anything for more than 1to 2 Weeks
• Be particularly cautions if also taking prescription drugs
• If you have questions , ask a pharmacist
• If you don’t need it , don’t use it
15. In What Way, The OTC Drugs Can Be Harmful
• OTC drugs can change the
effect of prescription
medications
• OTC drugs can mask symptoms
of disease
• OTC can lead to overdose
• If misused even common over
the counter drugs such as
aspirin vitamins or cold
remedies can be harmful
16. References
• Nasmi, J., Nirmala, K., & Affandi, R. (2017, August 22). Pengangkutan
juvenil ikan gabus Channa striata (Bloch 1793) dengan kepadatan berbeda
pada media bersalinitas 3 ppt [Transportation of juvenile striped
snakehead (Bloch 1793) with different densities in 3 ppt salinity media].
Jurnal Iktiologi Indonesia, 17(1), 101.
https://doi.org/10.32491/jii.v17i1.307
• Switching prescription drugs to OTC could save EU billions. (2004, July).
PharmacoEconomics & Outcomes News, 456(1), 11–11.
https://doi.org/10.2165/00151234-200404560-00036
• Pashkova, T. V. (2022). To the question of the ways of naming the disease
“hernia” (based on the Karelian language). Bulletin of Ugric Studies, 12.
https://doi.org/10.30624/2220-4156-2022-12-2-291-299
• Choosing Over-the-Counter Medicines for Your Child. (2021, January 1).
Pediatric Patient Education. https://doi.org/10.1542/peo_document390
