Rational use of common over the counter medications. What do you mean by Rational use of drugs ? Criteria for Rationale use of cIrrational use of OTC medicine results in : Treatment failure Rapid development of drug resistance Increased risk of toxicity Risk of drug abuse, addiction and misuse Wastage of money Misdiagnosis To protect the society from the effect of irrational use of OTC dugs ,we need to know about that Rational use of common over the counter medications. common OTC medication Examples of OTC drug category Paracetamol :- Taking a higher dose than recommended will not provide more relief and can be dangerous. Too much can lead to Liver damage and death. Do not take alcohol while using Paracetamol containing medicine . Be cautious when giving Paracetamol to children Read and follow the directions on the label every time you use a medicine . Other OTC NSAIDs (Aspirin , Ibuprofen, Naproxen) Too much can cause stomach bleeding.This risk increases in people who are over 60 years of age ,are taking prescription blood thinners, taking steroids, have a history of stomach bleeding or ulcer, or have other bleeding problems. Use of NSAIDs can also cause kidney damage.This risk may increase in people who are over 60 years of age, are taking a diuretic, have high blood pressure, heart disease, or pre-existing kidney disease. pharmacy practice #pharmacypractice

1. Pharmacy practice
Rational use of common over
the counter medications

2. Why do you need to study this topic ?
• Irrational use of OTC medicine results in :
• Treatment failure
• Rapid development of drug resistance
• Increased risk of toxicity
• Risk of drug abuse, addiction and misuse
• Wastage of money
• Misdiagnosis
To protect the society from the effect of irrational use of
OTC dugs ,we need to know about that Rational use of
common over the counter medications.

3. What do you mean by Rational use of drugs ?
“ The Rationale use of drugs requires that
patient receive medications :
• Appropriate to their clinical needs ,
• In doses that meet their own individual
requirement.
• For an adequate period of time , and at the
lowest cost to them and their community .”
- (WHO)
Conference expert, Nairobi 1985

4. Criteria for Rationale use of common OTC medication
1. Appropriate drug & dosage
regimen (including formulation,routes of
administration,dose, dosing interval,
treatment duration)
2. Appropriate labelling indication
3. Appropriate patient & patient
information
4. Appropriate educational measures
5. Appropriate Regulatory measures

5. Appropriate Drug & Dosage regimen

6. Appropriate labelling indication

7. Appropriate patient and patient information
• Before taking any OTC medication patient should
take care of their age and current physical condition
and while purchasing medicine they should give
necessary patient information to chemist because
Many patient groups may be particularly susceptible
to adverse events that are caused by OTC products
.They include:
1. Children
2. Women who are pregnant or breast
feeding
3. Geriatric patients
4. People taking prescription drugs & people
having health problems.

8. Appropriate educational measures
• Purchase and use of OTC drugs without full
knowledge is not only a waste of resources for all
stakeholders but can be harmful for consumers.
• Creating awareness of rational drug use is only
possible through continued public education with a
broad vision of good health and well-being of the
society.
• Patient education and counseling are particularly
important to safe and effective use of over the
counter products.

9. Appropriate regulatory measure
• The OTC drug Labelling is reguled by FDA.
• The OTC durgs Advertisement is regulated by
Federal Trade commission (FTC).
• Organisation of pharmaceutical producers of India
(OPPI) works towards the promotion of OTC in
India.
• Regulatory body is needed in small cities and rural
areas to prevent adulteration in OTC medication.
• India is one of emerging country require seperate
criteria for “OTC regulation” to enhance patient
safety and reduce Drug abuse .

10. Examples of OTC drug category
• Analgesics
• Cough suppressant
• Decongestant
•Antaacids
• Antifungals
• Antihistamines
• Laxatives
• Antidiarrheals
• Herbal products and
nutritional Supplements
• Antibiotic
• Antiseptics
• Smoking cessation drugs

11. Rational use of some common Over
the counter(OTC) medications

12. Pain Medications
1. Paracetamol :-
• Taking a higher dose than recommended will not provide more relief and
can be dangerous.
• Too much can lead to Liver damage and death.
• Do not take alcohol while using Paracetamol containing medicine .
• Be cautious when giving Paracetamol to children
• Read and follow the directions on the label every time you use a medicine .
2. Other OTC NSAIDs (Aspirin , Ibuprofen, Naproxen)
• Too much can cause stomach bleeding.This risk increases in people who
are over 60 years of age ,are taking prescription blood thinners, taking
steroids, have a history of stomach bleeding or ulcer, or have other bleeding
problems.
• Use of NSAIDs can also cause kidney damage.This risk may increase in
people who are over 60 years of age, are taking a diuretic, have high blood
pressure, heart disease, or pre-existing kidney disease.

14. Cough medications
• Cough suppressents include Expectorant (guaifenesin),
suppressants (dextromethorphan) & combination cough
products .
• Cough medicines may also contain ingredients to help coat
soothe the throat.
• Combination products may have medicines to ease other
symptoms, that may include decongestants for stuffy nose,
antihistamines for allergies or runny nose ,or painkillers.
• So Choose a medicine that matches your symptoms.
• Always measure the correct dose.High doses of cough
medicine can cause serious problems, including brain
damage, seizures, death.

16. Summary
• Always know what you are taking ,know the
Active ingredients.
• Know the effects.
• Read and heed the warning and cautions .
• Don’t use anything for more than 1 or 2 weeks.
• Be particularly cautious if also taking prescription
drugs.
• If you have questions, ask a pharmacist.
•If you don’t need it , don’t use it.

17. Thank you