OTC Flashcards
what to recommend for white, clumpy, cottage cheese vaginal discharge with severe itching, no odour
vulvovaginal candidiasis (yeast infection)
vaginal antifungals are equally effective as oral, use QHS and can use during menses, safe in pregnancy/breastfeeding; short courses still take 7d for eradication.
vaginal discharge symptoms what red flags to refer?
diabetes, pregnancy, immunocompromise, HIV, STI risk (fever, pelvic pain), prepuberty (under 12yo) or history of 4 or more episodes a year (may need to tx partner if recurrent)
vaginal discharge symptoms what are signs of bacterial vaginosis?
thin grey milky discharge, no itch, fishy odour
what to recommend for rashes and sores around the mouth and mucous membranes?
orolabial herpes simplex virus infection
see dr for oral antiviral meds that are most effective at reducing severity and duration, used 1-5 days
OTC topical acyclovir cream used within 1h may reduce duration by half a day if used 5 times a day for 5 days
how to prevent transmission of cold sores?
orolabial herpes transmitted via saliva, avoid sharing utensils, toothbrushes etc.
how to prevent recurrences of cold sores?
avoid triggers like sun, stress, illness
when to refer for diarrhea?
red flags: >6BM/day for >48h, vomitting >4h, blood/mucus, chronic conditions, pregnancy, age<2yo
when and what to recommend for diarrhea?
if 3 or more loose BMs/day considered diarrhea
recommend loperamide (1st line, 2mg po after each BM max 16mg/day), diphenoxylate+atropine (avoid in pregnancy), bismuth (limited evidence)
bug spray recommendations for prevention of malaria, lyme disease etc
1st line:
DEET 25-35% Q4-6H for ages >2
Icaridin 20% Q8H less odor less grease
What are the OTC/NHP options for insomnia? When to take?
Diphenhydramine (for occasional use, if using more than 3 times a week, see the doctor)
Melatonin 1-5mg not recommended by CPGs but may help fall asleep faster, sleep longer and deeper
Valerian has weak evidence and can cause withdrawal, hepatotoxicity, and should avoid in pregnancy
Take 30-60min before bedtime
Offer smoking cessation tx for those who smoke more than __ cigarettes/day. 1 pack contains __ cigarettes.
10
20-25
The 1st line agent for smoking cessation is?
Contraindications?
Nicotine replacement therapy
(Combination therapy is more effective than patch alone)
Contraindications: recent stroke/MI, current severe arrhythmia/angina, TMJ, pregnancy, breastfeeding, age <18.
When must patients quit smoking if starting NRT/Varenicline/Bupropion
immediately for NRT
1-2 weeks for v/b
What’s the usual dose and duration of NRT patches? Where to apply? How long? What’s the max beneficial duration? Max safe total dose?
Usually 21mg x 6w then 14mg x2w then 7mg x2w
Apply in morning to clean non hairy areas of upper arm or hip for 16-24 hours. Rotate sites.
Not beneficial beyond 24 weeks ie. 6mths
Max 40mg/day is safe for those who smoked >40 cigarettes/day.
Counselling NRT gum/lozenges.
Gum: bite/chew twice, then park between teeth and gums for 1 min, and repeat for 30min.
Both: avoid acidic drinks (juice, coffee, soda, alcohol) 15min before (will reduce absorption)
Varenicline indication efficacy safety for smoking cessation
2nd line but equally effective as combo
nausea: take w food and drink more water
insomnia: take 2nd dose w supper
vivid dreams (may be bothersome)
Bupropion indication efficacy safety for smoking cessation
2nd line but associated w least weight gain
CI in eating disorders, seizures, recent MAOI use
insomnia, restlessness, dizziness, dry mouth
What to recommend for itching/burning, blistering, peeling, cracking, red and rarely bleeding or painful rash on the feet?
Athlete’s foot.
Topical antifungal BID x4wks: terbinafine most effective, others are ciclopirox, clotrimazole, ketokonazole, miconazole
Hydrocortisone if inflamed.
Adsorbent talc powder or antifungal (tolnaftate) powder on feet for prevention. Avoid walking barefoot and nylon socks.
What to recommend for areas of thickened skin on feet caused by pressure or friction?
non-contagious corn or calluses
non-pharm: soak 10m, use pumice stone, apply olive oil or moisturizer, use cusions.
tx: may use salicylic acid only to corn/callus for 10-14 days.
What to recommend for areas of thickened skin on feet that hurt when pinched, have pinpoint bleeding and black dots, and skin striations run around?
Plantar warts caused by HPV infection transmitted by contact.
1st line liquid nitrogen cryotherapy or salicylic acid 5-40% applied daily after showering/soaking for 8weeks and refer if persists >12 weeks.
when to refer patient looking for eye drops for red eyes?
red flags: trauma, contract lens wear, pain/tenderness, severe photophobia, significant vision changes, history of occular disease, white corneal opacity/haze
what to recommend for patient with red irritated eye if there is purulent discharge?
likely bacterial infection
children: refer
adults: topical antibiotic polymixin B/gramcidin, refer if no improvement in 48 hours, continue for 48h post sx improvement
what to recommend for patient with red irritated eye if there is watery discharge and no itching?
likely viral infection
refer, highl contagious for 2 weeks after
what to recommend for patient with red irritated eye if there is watery discharge and itching?
likely allergic
otc lubricants (refridgerated)
otc antihistamines for itching - pheniramine, ketotifen, olopatadine, antazoline (preferred over oral bc faster acting less drying, avail in combo w decongestants)
otc decongestants for redness - naphazoline, oxymetazoline, phenylephrine, tetrahydrazoline (CI glaucoma, rebound if used >10d)
mast cell stabilizers
otc mast cell stabilizer (cromolyn) slow onset 3-10d
what to recommend for bump on eyelid?
stye
apply warm compress for 5-10 min several times a day
refer if no improvement after 1 week
what to recommend for red itchy scaly eyelid?
maybe lice, blepharitis, rosacea, dermatitis
5-10 min compress, lid hygiene wipes or baby shampoo on Q-tip
what to recommend for acne
benzoyl peroxide (2.5% similarly effective to 5 and 10%)
salicylic acid 1-2%
what to recommend for chronically dry, red, itchy, scaly skin type worsened by certain triggers like?
atopic dermatitis
triggers like soaps, irritants, astringents, allergens, hot dry weather, sweat, stress, infections
non-pharms: moisturizer, oatmeal baths
tx: corticosteroids 1st line, others require rx
what to recommend for redness, itching, scaling in the scalp area aka dandruff?
use regular shampoo daily and antifungal shampoo 2-4 times weekly. Most effective are ketoconazole and ciclopirox. Less effective are antifungals selenium and zinc pyrithione or keratolytics salicylic acid, sulfur or coal tar (least effective).
what to recommend for hair loss and scale on baby’s scalp?
cradle cap
use nonmedicated shampoo, surfactant containing bath oil, moisturizer
what are red flags for diaper rash?
oozing, pus, vesicles, ulceration, frequent recurrences, fever, n/v, lesions outside diaper area, secondary infection of genitals, behavioural changes like nonstop crying, immunocompromise, failure to improve in 7d and resolve in 14d
what to recommend for diaper rash?
HYDROCORTISONE 0.5%-1% TID for 1-2wks apply 1st
ANTIFUNGALS BID applied 2nd
(miconazole 2%, clotrimazole 1%, ketoconazole 2% BID x1-2w most effective) (ciclopirox 1% BID x4w less effective) (nystatin BID X2w least effective)
ZINC OXIDE 20-40% applied last with each diaper change
what are red flags for burns?
> 10% BSA
blistering
thin skin (face, inner arm, perineum), hands or feet
under 5yo or over 60yo
chemical or electical
what to recommend for burns?
cool compress x20m
antibiotics/antiseptics NOT recommended
lidocaine or benzocaine may cause contact dermatitis
may use pramoxine (low sensitizing potential)