OTC Flashcards
Antihistamines used for allergy treatment are divided into 2 categories
1st generation
2nd generation
1st Generation Antihistamine. 4 examples
Dimetapp (brompheniramine)
Chlor-trimeton (chlorpheniramine)
Benadryl (diphenhydramine)
Tavist (clemastine)
the “amines”
2nd Generation Antihistamine. 4 examples
Zyrtec (cetirizine)
Allegra (fexofenadine)
Xyzal (levocetirizine)
Claritin/Alavert (loratadine)
the “ines”
1st Generation Antihistamine: Caution when used in patients with
narrow angle glaucoma, BPH and urinary retention
2nd Generation Antihistamine: Caution use in patients with
renal impairment, hepatic impairment (loratadine), allergy to hydroxyzine (cetirizine) and urinary retention (levocetirizine)
Diphenhydramine– the most
commonly used 1st generation OTC antihistamine; most sedating
1st Generation Antihistamine: It’s a ___ depressant so may cause
CNS depressant - causes drowsiness and sedation
1st Generation Antihistamine: Anticholinergic effects lead to
dry eyes, dry mouth, constipation, urinary retention
1st Generation Antihistamine: Should not be used in children younger than
6 years of age (diphenhydramine)
1st Generation Antihistamine: May cause ____ in children
excitability
1st Generation Antihistamine: Overdose symptoms include:
worsening of common anticholinergic and CNS side effects
Patients may also present with cardiac arrhythmias and hallucinations
1st Generation Antihistamine: Antidote for overdose
Physostigmine may be used for an anticholinergic overdose
2nd Generation Antihistamine: 2nd generation antihistamines have less ___ _____ than 1st gen
CNS depression
2nd Generation Antihistamine: 2nd generation antihistamines have less CNS depression however
higher dose may lead to sedation (loss of H1 specificity)
2nd Generation Antihistamine: Oral Liquid/ chewable tablet available for
children 2 – 6 years of age
2nd Generation Antihistamine: Toxicity with 2nd generation antihistamine is
unlikely
2nd Generation Antihistamine: Overdose symptoms:
mild CNS effects, agitation, restlessness, tachycardia, myalgia
Allergy Products: Combination medication available with a decongestant such as
pseudoephedrine
Pseudoephedrine may cause
restlessness, insomnia
Kept behind the pharmacy counter for patients ages 18 and up with identification due to potential for abuse. Pseudoephedrine has been used to manufacture
methamphetamine
Nasal Decongestants: 2 examples
Oxymetazoline
Phenylephrine
Nasal Decongestants: Phenylephrine: mechanism
constricts nasal blood vessels, decreases swelling in the nose to allow better inhalation
Nasal Decongestants: Phenylephrine: receptor
Alpha adrenergic agonists
Nasal Decongestants: Phenylephrine: Self treat for up to
3 days
Nasal Decongestants: Phenylephrine: Treatment for more than 3 days may cause
rebound congestion
Nasal Decongestants: Phenylephrine: Side effects include
increased BP, CNS stimulation such as insomnia/anxiety and rebound congestion
Allergic Rhinitis: 1st line treatment
Intranasal Steroids
Allergic Rhinitis: 1st line treatment is Intranasal Steroids such as
fluticasone
Allergic Rhinitis: 1st line treatment is Intranasal Steroids such as fluticasone. The effect is
Temporary relief of congestion, runny/itchy nose/ itchy and watery eyes
Allergic Rhinitis: Increased use of intranasal steroid may cause
slow growth rate in children (triamcinolone and budesonide)
Allergic Rhinitis: Patients with use of inhaled corticosteroid should also
consult MD before use
Allergic Rhinitis: fluticasone may be used for up to
6 months
Allergic Rhinitis: budesonide may take up to
1 week to show improvement
Allergic Rhinitis: budesonide can be used for up to
2 weeks
naphazoline
Ophthalmic Agent
Decongestant
tetrahydrozoline
Ophthalmic Agent
Decongestant
Oxymetazoline
Ophthalmic Agent
Decongestant
Phenylephrine (ophtalmic formula)
Decongestant
use for up to 3 days
Nasal Decongestants: Phenylephrine (topical formula), use it Q
4 hours (short acting)
Nasal Decongestants: Phenylephrine (topical formula) use for up to
3 days
Nasal Decongestants: Phenylephrine (topical formula) Treatment for more than 3 days may cause
rebound congestion
Nasal Decongestants: Phenylephrine (topical formula) side effects
increased BP, CNS stimulation such as insomnia/anxiety and rebound congestion
Coricidin HBP is for treating
Cold and Cough
Coricidin HBP for Cold and Cough is specifically recommended for individuals with
high blood pressure by eliminating decongestants from the main ingredients
Cough Expectorant
Guaifenesin
Cough Suppressant
Dextromethorphan
Guaifenesin (Cough Expectorant) allows for
thinning and loosening of the mucus in airways
Guaifenesin S.E.
Dizziness, stomach pain, decreased uric acid, vomiting, rash, headache, and kidney stones
Guaifenesin signs of toxicity
vomiting, nausea
Dextromethorphan S.E.
increased heart rate, stomach pain, faint, dizzy, sedation, nervousness
Dextromethorphan signs of toxicity
sedation, hallucinations, detachment, euphoria
think mental status changes
Dextromethorphan: do not use with
MAOI’s
Guaifenesin and Dextromethorphan not for use in
Children under 4
Acetaminophen 2 main uses
Pain reliever/fever reducer
Acetaminophen: Metabolism and transport is in the
liver
Acetaminophen: MDD: for adults
4g in observational setting/3g limit OTC
Acetaminophen: Acetaminophen: MDD: for kids
50-75 mg/kg/day
Acetaminophen: bioavailability
88%
Acetaminophen: reaches highest plasma peak within
90 minutes
Acetaminophen: duration of effect
1.5-2.5 hours
You can use Decongestants for how long before seeing a PCP
7 days
congestion is caused by
Dilation of blood vessels
What are the two types of decongestants
Phenylephrine and Pseudoephedrine
Phenylephrine and Pseudoephedrine should be used with caution for people with HTN because
it raises BP
Phenylephrine has low oral
bioavailability
Phenylephrine S.E.
Restlessness, sleeping trouble, extreme nervousness, dizziness
Phenylephrine: Children dose vary depending on
form of medication: saline nasal spray is used more often
Pseudoephedrine biovailability is
very high, almost 100%
Pseudoephedrine S.E.
Restlessness, vomiting, nervousness, stomach pain, fast heartrate, dizziness
Analgesics and Antipyretics. 2 main uses
Treatment of acute pain and temporary fever relief
Acetaminophen carries a black box warning for
hepatotoxicity if daily limit dose is exceeded
Acetaminophen toxicity symptoms include
nausea, vomiting, hepatotoxicity and renal impairment