OTC Drugs-SC Flashcards
a-galactosidase (oral)
Category
Common OTC Uses
Key points for pt
Category: Miscellaneous GI gas product
Common uses: GI gas (due to gas producing food)
Key points:
>Take product with first bite of food
>Caution in diabetics: produces 2 to 6 grams carbohydrate per 100 grams of food
>Avoid in patients with galactosemia
>Possible allergic reaction for patients allergic to molds
Acetaminophen
Category
Common OTC Uses
Key points for pt
Category: Analgesic and Antipyretic
Common uses: >Cold and flu >Dysmenorrhea >Headache >FeverPain
Key points:
Brand Name: TylenolFDA
max of 4,000 mg per day (some manufactures 3,000 mg per day max)
Avoid in patients consuming 3 or more alcoholic beverages per day or with liver damage
May cause very serious skin rashes(rare)
Pregnancy: Human data suggests low risk Breastfeeding: Compatible
Pediatric dosing 10 to 15 mg/kg/dose Q4H to Q6H PRN*
Do not exceed 5 doses in 24 hours (maximum daily dose 75mg/kg/day not to exceed 4 grams daily)
*If age less than 2 or weight less than 24 pounds, consult pediatrician
Activated charcoal (oral)
Category
Common OTC Uses
Key points
Category: Miscellaneous GI gas product
Common OTC Uses: Gi gas
Key points:
>Questionable efficacy, may be better for reducing smell
>May be alternative to simethicone
>No dosing in children age less than 12
Adapalene (Topical)
Category
Common OTC Uses
Key points
Category: Acne product
Common OTC Uses: Acne
Key points:
>Acne may worsen in 1st week
>May take 12 to 18 weeks for full effect
>Increases sun sensitivity, use sunscreen
>Redness, scaling, and burning diminish after 1st month
Aluminum acetate (Topical)
Category
Common OTC Uses
Key points
Category: Astrigent
Common OTC Uses: Contact dermatitis (weeping)
Key points:
>Dries and constricts tissue
>Has antimicrobial effects
>May be combined with antifungal for treatment of tinea pedis (athlete’s foot)
Aluminum hydroxide (oral)
Category
Common OTC Uses
Key points
Category: Antacid
Common OTC Uses: GERD
Key points:
>Starts to work within 15 to 30 minutes (liquid faster than tablets)
>Diarrhea
>Avoid in acute kidney disease
Antazolin (Ophthalmic)
Category
Common OTC Uses
Key points
Category: Antihistamine
Common OTC Uses: Allergic conjunctivitis
Key points:
>Limit OTC useto 3 days
>Contraindicated inpatients with glaucoma
>May be combined with ophthalmic decongestant for improved efficacy
Aspirin (Oral)
Category
Common OTC Uses
Key points
Category:
- Analgeic
- Anitpyretic
- Salicylate
Common OTC Uses: Cold andflu Dysmenorrhea Headache Fever, Pain
Key points:
Avoid in children and teenagers due to risk of Reyes Syndrome
Take with food Risk of ulcer (increased in patients consuming 3 or more alcoholic beverages daily)
May cause upper GI discomfort
Do not use if patient has history of GI bleed
Avoid enteric coated version in patients wanting immediate relief
Watch dose: 81 mg is for heart protection only
Balcitracin, polymyxin B (topical)
Category
Common OTC Uses
Key points
Category: Antiseptic
Common OTC Uses:
- Atopic dermatitis
- Infection prevention
Key points:
>Preferred over neomycin since some patients are sensitive to neomycin
Benzocain (Topical)
Category
Common OTC Uses
Key points
Category: Anesthetic
Common OTC Uses:
- Canker sores
- Pain and itching due to vulvvaginal candidiasis
Key points;
>For canker sores, apply a small amount up to four times daily
>FDA recommends AGAINST use for teething pain and in children under age 2
>Rare but serious condition (methemoglobinemia)
>Treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis should be focused on curing the infection with vaginal antifungal rather than masking symptoms with benzocaine
Benzoyl peroxide (topical)
Category
Common OTC Uses
Key points
Category: Acne product
Common OTC Uses: Acne
Key points:
>Avoid in very sensitive skin
>Increases sun sensitivity, use sunscreen
>Start low (2.5%) to minimize side effects; increase if desired results not achieved and patient tolerates treatment
>Full benefit may take 4 to 6 weeks
>Several potential drug interactions
Bisacodyl (oral)
Category
Common OTC Uses
Key points
Category: Laxative (stimulant)
Common OTC Uses: Constipation
Key points:
>May cause abdominal cramping due to mechanism of peristalsis stimulation
>Often produces bowel movement in 6 to 12 hours
Bismuth oral)
Category
Common OTC Uses
Key points
Category: Salicylate
Common OTC Uses:
- Diarrhea
- Dyspepsia
- Nausea
Key points:
>Avoid in children and in patients with renal failure
>May cause stool and tongue to turn black
>Risk of salicylate toxicity, neurotoxicity with extended use
>Not recommended inchildren under 12
>Drug interaction with warfarin
Budesonide (intranasal)
Category
Common OTC Uses
Key points
Category: Corticosteroid
Common OTC Uses:
- Allergic conjunctivitis
- Allergic rhinitis
Key points:
>May start at full dose and titrate down
>Works best after atleast 1week of continued therapy
>Budesonide,fluticasone,and triamcinolone maybe used in children**but approved age varies byproduct
**Although OTC products for allergies exist for pediatric patients, patients under age 12 should first be evaluated by PCP
Caffeine (oral)
Category
Common OTC Uses
Key points
Category: Diuretic
Common OTC Uses: Water retnetion (due to menses.)
Key points:
>Most women do not experience any true sodium or water retention and do not experience weight gain
>Swelling and bloating are caused by a fluid shift
>May cause nervousness, tachycardia, insomnia
Camphor (oral)
Category
Common OTC Uses
Key points
Category: Antitussive, Counterirritant
Common OTC Uses: Cough
Key points:
Vapors stimulate sensory nerve endings causing local anesthetic sensation
>Little clinicalevidence >Toxicics of wallowed(4tspof5%camphor)
> For topical formulations, use on intact skin only, wash hands after applying, and do not apply heat
>Do not use in patients age less than 2
Capsaicin (topical)
Category:
Common OTC Uses
Key points
Category: Conterirritant
Common OTC Uses: Musculoskeletal pain
Key points:
>Decreases nerve impulses by depleting substance P
>Use on intact skin only, wash hands after applying, and do not apply heat
Carbamide peroxide (otic)
Category:
Common OTC Uses
Key points
Category: effervescent debriding agent
Common OTC Uses: excessive cerumen (ear wax)
Key points:
>Place 5 to 10 drops in ear canal, allow it to remain for several minutes
>Cerumen remaining after treatment may be removed with gentle, warm water irrigation, administered with oticbulb syringe
>May be repeated daily for up to 4 days
Cetizizine (oral)
Category:
Common OTC Uses
Key points
Category: antihistamine (2 generation)
Common OTC Uses:
- Allergic rnx
- Allergic rhinitis
- Congestion (due to cold and fever)
Key points:
>Less sedation and less anticholinergic than 1st generation antihistamine
>Cetirizinestill causessome drowsiness(~10%of patients)
>Should not be used OTC in pregnant or lactating patients Brand Name: Zyrtec
Chlorpheniramine (oral)
Category:
Common OTC Uses
Key points
Category: Antihistamine (1st generation)
Common OTC Uses: AAA AND 2 KEY POINTS
>Allergic conjunctivitis
>Allergic rhinitisAllergic dermatitis
>Congestion (due to cold or flu)Contact dermatitis
Key points:
>Highlylipophilic molecule that readily crosses the blood‐brainbarrier (causingsedation)
>Sideeffectsincludedrowsiness,dizziness, urinaryretention,constipation, blurredvision, tachycardia, dryeyes, dry mouth, dry nose, dry vagina
Do not use in pregnancy, lactation, premature infants, glaucoma, geriatric patients, patients with enlarged prostate, and patients on MAOI’s