OTC treatment options Flashcards

Question

Mouth ulcers - Topical analgesics

Answer 1

Contain a topical pain reliever or anaesthetic (lignocaine) to numb pain associated with ulcers Dose - apply using index finger not more often than every 3 hours. advice - wipe surface free of mucous before applying do not use in children under 4 months. safe in pregnancy. small amount excreted in breastmilk - fine for short term use

Answer 2

forms a protective paste over the ulcer to speed healing. reduces inflammation and pain associated with ulcer. best applied after food and before bed. avoid in pregnancy and breastfeeding (manufacturer advises to avoid). use bonjela instead. avoid in untreated oral infection

Answer 3

Antifungal to treat candida infection. hold dose in mouth as long as possible before swallowing. do not eat for half an hour or an hour after eating. miconazole gel can be a choking hazard in babies under 6 months and people with swallowing issues - nystatin more appropriate. Avoid miconazole in pregnancy. nystatin is safe. Miconazole dose - 2.5ml four times daily after eating, continued for 1 week after infection clears. Side effects: nausea, vomiting, rash. has several medicines interactions - CYP3A4 inhibitor (most important is warfarin - can cause bleeding). Nystatin dose - 1ml four times daily after eating, continued for 48 hours after infection clears

Answer 4

Contains coal tar, salicylic acid and sulphur which helps to remove skin scales on the scalp. Apply for 1 hour, then wash off with a tar containing shampoo.

Answer 5

Pregnant women and those aged between 2 months to 2 years should be seen by doctor. Safe in breastfeeding. Dose: Apply to the entire body from the top of the head to the soles of the feet, including the back and genitals. start from the top and work your way down to the limbs, hands and feet. finish by applying between the fingers/toes and under fingernails. retreat after 1 week. wash off after 8-12 hours. Side effects: stinging, redness

Answer 6

Capsaicin reduces a chemical called substance P, which sends pain signals to the brain. Pain relief may take up to 4 weeks to take effect. Burning or tingling may occur initially, but wears off as your body gets used to it. start with a small pea sized amount 3 to 4 times daily (every 4 hours). Safe in pregnancy and breastfeeding. Advice - avoid the eyes, mucous membranes, mouth when applying. - wash hands immediately after use. - do not have a hot shower before or after as this may make burning sensation worse. - avoid applying heat to area where cream has been used.

Answer 7

Meclozine is generally less sedating than promethazine, however sedation may be an advantage for some. blocks the release of histamine in the CNS which is responsible for symptoms of nausea and vomiting. Both are safe in pregnancy and breastfeeding. meclozine not for use in children under 6 years, promethazine children under 2 years. Take the night before or 1 hour before travelling. avoid alcohol while taking. do not drive if taking this medicine Meclozine dose: 2-4 tablets once daily, repeated after 24 hours if necessary Promethazine dose: 25mg taken the night before travel. can be repeated after 8 hours if necessary. Side effects: drowsiness, dry mouth, blurred vision, headache

Answer 8

Safe in pregnancy and breastfeeding. Fungistatic antifungal - stops bacteria from growing further 6 day cream more effective for pregnant women. side effects: stinging, redness (side effects uncommon) How to use: - Wash hands before and after use - pull out plunger from the applicator until it stops - open tube of cream and attach it to applicator. squeeze cream until applicator is full - remove tube and replace cap - carefully insert the applicator as gently as deeply as is comfortable. this is best done on your back with your knees bent - slowly push down on the plunger until it stops. this places the cream in the vagina. remove the applicator and dispose of it. Important to finish the course to prevent infection from recurring or getting worse. make sure to use all 6 doses, even if you miss one dose. If symptoms do not improve after 4 days (1%) or 3 days (2%), or if infection recurs within 2 months, see the doctor if patient is under 18 or over 65, refer to doctor. If patient has recurring thrush infections (more than 3 in the last 6 months), refer the cream may reduce effective of condoms/diaphragms

Answer 9

Fluconazole is fungistatic. taken as a single dose for thrush avoid in pregnancy. safe in breastfeeding. be aware of medicines interactions (CYP3A4 inhibitor) Side effects: rash (see doctor), GI upset, headache. most people do not experience any side effects with a single dose.

Answer 10

remove dead surface skin cells. effectiveness may be improved by rubbing surface with pumice stone to remove hard skin after soaking in warm water. dose: apply once daily. treatment may take up to 3 months cover surrounding skin with vaseline before applying and apply only to the affected wart (can cause skin irritation). do not use on face or genitals

Answer 11

One-off application applied for about 20 seconds. may be repeated after 15 days. can be uncomfortable and can cause blistering. may take several attempts over several months to completely get rid of wart

Answer 12

Safe in 2nd and 3rd trimester, safe in breastfeeding Dose: 100mg as a single dose, repeated in 2 weeks if reinfection occurs or symptoms are still present. Vermox not approved for children under 2 years. de worm is fine. Side effects: abdominal pain

Answer 13

Low risk in pregnancy, safe in breastfeeding dose: 10mg/kg as a single dose, repeated in 2 weeks if symptoms present not approved for children under 1 year side effects: nausea, vomiting, headache