M6 L3 Over the Counter Drugs

Question 1

general characteristics of OTC drugs

Answer 1

• safe when used @ recommended dose
• limited toxicity with self-limiting symptoms
• effective but less potent than prescription meds

Question 2

if your having fever, pain, headache, other pains use…

Answer 2

analgesics/antipyretics

Question 3

if your having common cold - sore throat use…

Answer 3

cold preparations

Question 4

if you have a cough use…

Answer 4

antitussives-expectorants-mucolytics

Question 5

if your having allergies-itching-skin rash

Answer 5

antihistamines - local steroids and antifungals

Question 6

if ur having an upset GI use…

Answer 6

antacids, antidiarrheals, laxatives

Question 7

if you need supplements use…

Answer 7

vitamins, minerals, amino acids

Question 8

if you need skin protection use…

Answer 8

sunscreen, acne preparations

Question 9

safe use of OTC drugs

Answer 9

• mild illness
• familiar w sympt and the drug
• read and follow instructions
• keep list of taken meds
• consult with doctor if unfamiliar sympt, or sympt get worse
• don’t combine meds w the same active ingredients, use for more than 2 weeks

Question 10

ex of commonly used OTC drugs

Answer 10

1. analgesics/antipyretics (NSAIDs, acetaminophen)
2. cold preparations (antihistamines, decongestants, antitussives, expectorants)
3. anti-ulcer drugs

Question 11

what are antihistamines

Answer 11

• symptomatic treatment (not a cure)
• alleviate sympt if there is an allergic component
• block histamine (H1) receptors
• can cause drowsiness, and anticholinergic sympt (dry mouth, tachycardia, etc)
• prepared alone, combined w other meds

Question 12

how do you administer antihistamines

Answer 12

• oral: tablets, syrup
• topical: skin cream, nasal spray
• injections

Question 13

ex: of older antihistamine drugs

Answer 13

• chlorpheniramine
• diphenhydramine

Question 14

ex: of more recent antihistamine drugs

Answer 14

• loratadine
• cetirizine

Question 15

decongestants

Answer 15

• alpha 1 agonists
  (vasoconstriction of blood vessels of nasal mucosa)
• doses are too low to b effective
  use in children under 6 not approved

Question 16

adverse effects of decongestants

Answer 16

• increased bp in hypertensive pt’s
• could lead to rebound congestion after stopped

Question 17

ex of decongestants

Answer 17

• pseudoephedrine (oral)
• phenylephrine - oxymetazoline (local)

Question 18

antitussives

Answer 18

• suppress dry cough centre in the medulla
• dry cough is an indication
• risk of dependence (more w codeine)

Question 19

expectorants

Answer 19

• increase volume and reduce viscosity of bronchial secretions
• allow cilia to expel loosened secretions

Question 20

indications of expectorants

Answer 20

• productive cough w viscid mucus secretions

Question 21

adverse effect of expectorants

Answer 21

• renal stones

Question 22

ex of expectorants

Answer 22

guaifenesin

Question 23

3 OTC anti-ulcer drugs

Answer 23

antacids
H2 blockers
proton pump inhibitors

Question 24

antihistamines + CNS depressants &/or alcohol

Answer 24

increase CNS depression

Question 25

decongestants + MAOIs

Answer 25

malignant hypertension and IHD

Question 26

ASA + anticoagulants

Answer 26

increase risk of bleeding

Question 26

aluminum antacids mineral oil laxatives do what to absorption...

Answer 26

decrease absorption of some drugs