OTC Drugs and National Health Products

Question 1

What are OTC drugs used for

Answer 1

Short-term treatment of common minor illnesses

Question 2

How many OTC drugs are available?

Answer 2

More than 300,000

Question 3

What percentage of Canadians use OTCs

Answer 3

More than 80%

Question 4

Who regulates OTC drugs

Answer 4

Health Canada’s Food and Drug Regulations

Question 5

What are the 3 criteria for OTC status

Answer 5

Indications for use
Safety Profile
Practicality for OTC use

Question 6

What is required on a plain label for OTC drugs?

Answer 6

Purpose/use
Storage info
Doses
Inactive ingredients
Warnings and adverse effects
Contraindications
When to consult a doctor
Expiry dates and DIN

Question 7

What are common OTC analgesics?

Answer 7

Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, Naproxen sodium, acetylsalicylic acid

Question 8

What are common OTC histamine blockers?

Answer 8

Claritin (Loratadine)
Benadryl (diphenhydramine HCL)
Reactine (Cetirizine)

Question 9

What are common OTC smoking deterrents?

Answer 9

Nicotine gum (Nicorette)
Nicotine transdermal patch (Nicoderm)

Question 10

What are common OTC topical medication?

Answer 10

Canesten (Clotrimazole)
Monistat (miconazole nitrate)
Minox/rogaine (minoxidil)

Question 11

What are 2 advantages of OTCs

Answer 11

Convenience of self treatment of minor ailments
Decreased health care costs

Question 12

What are 2 disadvantages of OTCs

Answer 12

May postpone treatment of serious or life-threatening disorders
May relieve symptoms of a disorder but not the cause

Question 13

What are 3 potential hazards of OTC drugs

Answer 13

Toxicity
Interactions with prescription meds
Misuse

Question 14

What are 6 types of Natural Health Products

Answer 14

Dietary supplements
Herbs
Homeopathy
Traditional medicines
Probiotics
Amino acids

Question 15

What is homeopathy

Answer 15

Microdose of a substance thought to cause disease

Question 16

What is a possible drug interaction with chamomile?

Answer 16

Increased potential for bleeding with anticoagulants

Question 17

What is a possible drug interaction with cranberry

Answer 17

Decreased elimination of many drugs excreted by the kidneys

Question 18

What is a possible drug interaction with echinacea

Answer 18

Possible interference with or counteraction to immunosuppressant drugs and antivirals

Question 19

What is a possible drug interaction with primrose

Answer 19

Possible interaction with antipsychotic drugs

Question 20

What is a possible drug interaction with garlic

Answer 20

Possible interference with hypoglycemic therapy and the anticoagulant warfarin sodium

Question 21

What is a possible drug interaction with gingko biloba

Answer 21

May increase risk of bleeding with use of anticoagulants and antiplatelets

Question 22

What is a possible drug interaction with ginger root

Answer 22

At high dosages, possible interference with cardiac, antidiabetic, or anticoagulant drugs

Question 23

What is a possible drug interaction with grapefruit

Answer 23

Decreases metabolism of drugs used for erectile dysfunction, estrogens and some psychotherapeutic drugs
Increases risk of toxicity with immunosuppressants and some psychotherapeutic drugs
Increases intensity and duration of effects of caffiene

Question 24

What is a possible drug interaction with hawthorn

Answer 24

May lead to toxic levels of cardiac glycosides

Question 25

What is a possible drug interaction with kava

Answer 25

May increase the effect of barbiturates and alcohol

Question 26

What is a possible drug interaction with saw palmetto

Answer 26

May change the effects of hormones in oral contraceptive drugs, patches, or hormonal replacement therapies

Question 27

What is a possible drug interaction with St Johns wort

Answer 27

May lead to serotonin syndrome if used with other serotonergic drugs

Question 28

What is a possible drug interaction with valerian

Answer 28

Increases CNS depression if used with sedatives

Question 29

True or False: Natural does not mean safe

Answer 29

True