M6 L3 Over the Counter Drugs Flashcards
1
Q
general characteristics of OTC drugs
A
- safe when used @ recommended dose
- limited toxicity with self-limiting symptoms
- effective but less potent than prescription meds
2
Q
if your having fever, pain, headache, other pains use…
A
analgesics/antipyretics
3
Q
if your having common cold - sore throat use…
A
cold preparations
4
Q
if you have a cough use…
A
antitussives-expectorants-mucolytics
5
Q
if your having allergies-itching-skin rash
A
antihistamines - local steroids and antifungals
6
Q
if ur having an upset GI use…
A
antacids, antidiarrheals, laxatives
7
Q
if you need supplements use…
A
vitamins, minerals, amino acids
8
Q
if you need skin protection use…
A
sunscreen, acne preparations
9
Q
safe use of OTC drugs
A
- 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
10
Q
ex of commonly used OTC drugs
A
- analgesics/antipyretics (NSAIDs, acetaminophen)
- cold preparations (antihistamines, decongestants, antitussives, expectorants)
- anti-ulcer drugs
11
Q
what are antihistamines
A
- 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
12
Q
how do you administer antihistamines
A
- oral: tablets, syrup
- topical: skin cream, nasal spray
- injections
13
Q
ex: of older antihistamine drugs
A
- chlorpheniramine
- diphenhydramine
14
Q
ex: of more recent antihistamine drugs
A
- loratadine
- cetirizine
15
Q
decongestants
A
- alpha 1 agonists
(vasoconstriction of blood vessels of nasal mucosa) - doses are too low to b effective
use in children under 6 not approved
