chapter 13: Over-the-Counter Medications

Question 1

1. Michael asks you about why some drugs are over-the-counter and some are prescription. You explain that in order for a drug to be approved for over-the-counter use the drug must:
2. Be safe and labeled for appropriate use
3. Have a low potential for abuse or misuse
4. Be taken for a condition the patient can reliably self-diagnose
5. All of the above

Answer 1

4. All of the above

Question 2

2. In the United States, over-the-counter drugs are regulated by:
3. No one. There is no oversight for over-the-counter medications.
4. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration Center for Drug Evaluation and Research
5. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration
6. MedWatch

Answer 2

2. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration Center for Drug Evaluation and Research

Question 3

3. As drugs near the end of their patent, pharmaceutical companies may apply for the drug to change to over-the-counter status in order to:
4. Get a new patent for the over-the-counter form of the drug
5. Lower the costs because most prescription benefit plans do not cover generics
6. Market the drug to a whole new population, as they are able to market to patients instead of just providers
7. Continue to make large profits from their blockbuster brand-name drug

Answer 3

4. Continue to make large profits from their blockbuster brand-name

Question 4

4. New over-the-counter drug ingredients must undergo the U.S. Food and Drug Administration New Drug Application process, just as prescription drugs do.
5. True
6. False

Answer 4

1. True

Question 5

5. The ailment that generates the greatest over-the-counter annual drug sales is:
6. Constipation
7. Cough and colds
8. Heartburn
9. Acute and chronic pain

Answer 5

2. Cough and colds

Question 6

6. Common over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen:
7. Are always safer for the patient than prescription pain medication
8. Are harmful if taken in higher than recommended amounts
9. Have minimal interaction with prescription medications
10. Should never be given to children unless recommended by their provider

Answer 6

2. Are harmful if taken in higher than recommended amounts

Question 7

7. When obtaining a drug history from Harold, he gives you a complete list of his prescription medications. He denies taking any other drugs, but you find that he occasionally takes aspirin for his arthritis flare ups. This is an example of:
8. His appropriately only telling you about his regularly prescribed medications
9. His hiding information regarding his inappropriate use of aspirin from you
10. A common misconception that intermittently taken over-the counter medications are not an important part of his drug history
11. A common misuse of over-the-counter aspirin

Answer 7

3. A common misconception that intermittently taken over-the counter medications are not an import

Question 8

8. The Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act, which is part of the 2006 U.S. Patriot Act:
9. Requires all providers to screen their patients for methamphetamine use
10. Restricts the prescribing of amphetamines to U.S. citizens
11. Requires a prescription be written for all methamphetamine precursors in all states
12. Restricts the sales of drugs that contain methamphetamine precursors, including a daily and 30-day limit on sales

Answer 8

4. Restricts the sales of drugs that contain methamphetamine

Question 9

9. When prescribing a tetracycline or quinolone antibiotic it is critical to instruct the patient:
10. Not to take their regularly prescribed medications while on these antibiotics
11. Regarding the need for lots of acidic foods and juices, such as orange juice, to enhance absorption
12. Not to take antacids while on these medications, as the antacid decreases absorption
13. That there are no drug interactions with these antibiotics

Answer 9

3. Not to take antacids while on these medications, as the antacid decreases absorption