OTC Exam Flashcards
Name the nine products liable to abuse and how?
Acetone: Can be abused as a solvent, often found in nail varnish removers.
Aerosols: Solvent based sprays can be sniffed.
Laxative Tablets: Could be inappropriately used by dieters.
Citric Acid: Used to dilute illicit, strong, addictive drugs. (E.g. Heroin.)
Paracetamol: Could be used in suicide attempts.
Codeine: Addiction is common
Night Nurse: Dependence can develop to the ingredient Dextromethorphan.
Antihistamines: Some cause drowsiness and can be abused (e.g. Nytol, Phenergan).
Ephedrine & Pseudoephedrine: These medicines can be used to make Methamphetamine.
Give four lifestyle reasons why heartburn and indigestion can occur:
Eating spicy/ fatty food
Drinking alcohol/ smoking
Overweight
Stress
How to antacids work?
Neutralises the stomach acid which may be causing the irritation.
Give two examples of antacids
Sodium Bicarbonate or Magnesium salts
How do alginates work?
Increases the viscosity of stomach acid to protect the oesophageal mucosa
Give two examples of alginates:
Sodium alginate or alginic acid
How do H2- Antagonists work?
Reduce gastric acid output by blocking H2 receptors.
Give two examples of H2- Antagonists:
Cimetidine, Famotidine
How do proton pump inhibitors work?
Inhibits the gastric acid secretion by blocking the proton pump of the gastric parietal cell.
Give two examples of proton pump inhibitors:
Esomeprazole
Lansoprazole
What are the most common side effect for all heartburn treatments?
Constipation, diarrhoea
Give three causes of constipation:
Poor diet
Inadequate fluid intake
Pregnancy
Name the four type of constipation treatment:
Bulk Forming Laxatives
Stimulant Laxatives
Osmotic Laxatives
Faecal Softeners
Give an example of a bulk forming laxative:
Methylcellulose
Give an example of a stimulant laxative
Bisacodyl
Give an example of an osmotic laxative:
Lactulose
Give an example of a faecal softener:
Glycerol
How long does acute diarrhoea last for?
Less than seven days
How long does persistent diarrhoea last for?
More than 14 days
Give the most common diarrhoea relief treatment and how does it work?
Loperamide, works on the opioid receptors in the gut which slows the passage of food so that more water can be absorbed from the GI tract
What are the three possible reasons for colic?
Trapped wind from feeding or crying.
Lactose sensitivities
Painful cramps due to an underdeveloped GI system
Give four symptoms of colic:
An inability to be soothed.
Drawing up of legs or arching the back.
Flushed face.
Crying or fussing at similar times of day (very often morning or evening).
Give two treatments for colic:
Simeticone and lactase enzymes
What does COPD stand for?
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
What are the three main types of cough mixture and what type of cough are they used for?
Expectorants, useful in chesty coughs.
Suppressants (Antitussives), useful in dry coughs.
Demulcents, can be used in any type of cough but particularly useful if tickly or irritating.
Give two examples of expectorants:
Guaifenensin.
Ipecacuanha.
Give two examples of demulcents:
Glycerin
Honey and lemon
Give one example of a nasal decongestant:
Xylometazoline nasal spray
Give an example of sore throat relief treatment:
Benzocaine throat spray
How much pseudoephedrine and ephedrine are you legally allowed to sell up to OTC?
720mg of Pseudoephedrine
180mg of Ephedrine
What is a tension headache?
Episodic or Chronic. Infrequent or frequent. Generalised and non-throbbing. Described as a tightening or weight pressing down. Gradual onset that gets progressively worse. Often due to posture, stress, tiredness
What is a migraine with aura?
Only 25% of migraine sufferers experience this, with most auras being visual and can last for a maximum of an hour. These can come in different forms and once this experience is over, the patient normally experiences the headache, which this can be moderate pain or severe.
What is a migraine without aura?
This is the most common type of migraine affecting 75% of migraine sufferers. They will normally experience nausea, fatigue and difficult to concentrate.
What is a sinus headache?
The pain of this is normally quite localised and can happen near the eyes (orbital) and nose.
What is a cluster headache?
These types of headaches more typically affect men over the age of 30 and can range between 10 minutes and 3 hours. It is an intense pain which is mainly orbital centred. Alcohol is known to trigger a cluster headache.
How does paracetamol work?
Thought to inhibit the production of Prostaglandins and also reduces fever.
How do NSAIDs work?
Blocks the enzyme COX which helps to make Prostaglandins.
How do opioids work?
Attach to opioid receptors which block pain messages.
Give an example of a travel sickness tablet and how does it work?
Hysocine Hydrobromide- stops messages being sent to the vestibular system, which co-ordinates the vomiting reflex.
Give the medication to treat threadworm and how does it work?
Mebendazole- it stops for worms from using glucose, which are needed for them to survive.
Give three treatments for headlice and how do they work?
Malathion- Contains insecticide which kills the headlice.
Permethrin- Kills lice and newly hatched lice but doesn’t kill the eggs
Dimeticone- Blocks the spiracles of the lice so they can’t respire
How is scabies transferred?
Direct skin to skin contact
How would you apply the treatment for scabies?
Apply the cream to dry skin, not after you’ve had a shower or bath as this affects how it is absorbed. Apply it all over the body and leave it on for 24 hours, for both adults and children. Wash it off with soap. If you wash your hands before the 24-hour period, apply the treatment again to your hands. It’s important that all members of the family do this at the same time.
Give two types of medication that treats scabies:
Permethrin 5% cream
Malathion
What is Herpes simplex 1 associated with?
Cold sores
Describe the symptoms of the prodromal phase in HSV1:
Itching or tingling sensation
What are the two treatments for HSV1?
Aciclovir
Penciclovir
What two organisms can fungal infections be causes by?
Dermatophytes (variety) or yeast
What are the symptoms of athletes foot?
Red and itchy, sore skin.
Skin later becomes white, inflamed, and ‘soggy’ and may weep.
Skin may crack and peel, possibly even bleed if severe.
Typically it starts between the fourth and fifth toes in the toe webs.
Skin may start to smell.
It may spread to other toe webs, the sole and instep of the foot, and in time the nail.
Name three drugs that treat athletes foot:
Clotrimazole
Ketoconazole
Terbinafine
What can be used to treat fungal nail infections?
Amorolfine lacquer
How long does a fungal nail treatment last?
3 months but may have to be used for 9-12 months
Give three treatments for ringworm:
Clotrimazole, Ketoconazole
Terbinafine
Give two symptoms of cystitis:
An increased frequency of urination (including an increased desire and urgency to urinate, even if only a few drops are passed)
Pain or burning on urination
What is recurrent cystitis?
3 episodes in 12 months, or 2 episodes in 6 months
What age group should you alert to the pharmacist about having cystitis?
Under 16 or over 70
What are the treatments for cystitis and how do they work?
Potassium Citrate or Sodium Citrate sachets, they are alkalysing agents so make the urine less acidic and so less painful urination
What is the dose for the treatment for cystitis?
The sachets are a 2-day course, take ONE three times a day.
What type of bacteria causes thrush?
Candida albicans
Give three symptoms of thrush:
Increased discharge (often thick, white, and ‘curd-like’ or cottage cheese like, with no abnormal odour) and itching around the vaginal area
Give three causes of thrush:
- Use of antibiotics
- Hormonal changes
- Tight, unbreathable clothing
Give a topical treatment for thrush and which forms does formulation does it come in?
Clotrimazole
Pessaries, internal creams and external creams
Give an oral treatment for thrush and the dose:
Fluconazole is a capsule that is just taken as a one off
What is dysmenorrhoea?
Period pain, can be classified as Primary or Secondary.
What is primary dysmenorrhea?
Pain associated with menstruation with no underlying cause. Symptoms are the most severe on the day prior to menstruation, or in the first 24 – 48 hours of menses
Give two NSAIDs to treat dysmenorrhea:
Ibuprofen
Naproxen- ONLY licensed for period pain
Give two symptoms of blepharitis:
Edges of eyes and eyelids become swollen, red and crusty.
Can also be itchy and stick in the morning.
What is the drug to treat dry eyes?
Hypromellose
What is the drug to treat a bacterial eye infection?
Chloramphenicol
What is a drug to treat blepharitis?
Tetracyclines
What is a drug to treat itchy eyes due to allergies?
Sodium cromoglicate
Give two types of treatment for earwax build up:
Olive oil
Hydrogen peroxide
Give a treatment for the inflammation of the outer ear canal:
Aluminium acetate
Who Arachis oil can have an allergic reaction to?
Peanuts
Give two drugs to treat mouth ulcers:
Corticosteroids (hydrocortisone pellets)
Benzydamine
What are two causes of oral thrush (oropharyngeal candidiasis)?
Poor oral hygiene
Poor use of steroidal inhalers
What are three symptoms of oral thrush?
Creamy white bumps on the mouth, tongue and cheeks.
Cracks at the corners of the mouth.
Not tasting things properly
Give one treatment for oral thrush:
Miconazole (Daktarin) oral gel
Give two types of treatments for eczema:
Emollients
Topical hydrocortisone creams
What is the name for a type of cream or lotion that is good at relieving the discomfort of itching?
Antipruritic
What is contact dermatitis usually caused by?
Irritants such as soap and detergents, solvents or regular contact with water.
What is seborrheic dermatitis?
Occurs in area with a rich supply of sebaceous glands and causing scaly patches, red skin and stubborn dandruff.
Give the first line treatment for seborrheic dermatitis and what is the dose?
Ketoconazole 2% shampoo
Maximum application of once every 3 days
What is the second line treatment for seborrheic dermatitis?
Selenium Sulphide
How can cradle cap be treated?
Olive oil or arachis oil to soften the plaques, followed by shampooing with gentle baby shampoo
Give three treatments for psoriasis:
Emulsifying ointment
Calciptrol or tacalcitol
Topical Steroids
What is another name for hives?
Urticaria
Give the symptoms of hives:
Blistered and red on the surrounding
Give four types of antihistamine and state whether they are sedating or not:
Cetirizine Non-sedating Loratadine Non-sedating Fexofenadine Non-sedating Promethazine Sedating
Give two treatments for warts and verrucas:
Salicylic acid based products
Cryotherapy- freezing using liquid nitrogen
Give four treatments for nappy rash and why are they useful:
- Emollient is generally the first line treatment. The inclusion of water repellent such as dimethicone may be use useful, as such preparation can help to protect the skin against water.
- Zinc acts as a soothing agent
- Lanolin emollient helps to hydrate the skin
- Castor oil/ cod liver oil provides a water resistance layer on the skin
When is a person no longer infections when they have chicken pox?
When they have all crusted
What virus is chicken pox caused by?
Varicella-zoster virus
What is the main treatment for ringworm?
Imidazole
