Question | Answer |
OTC Medications | 42% of adults take an OTC medication.
49% report dietary supplement use.
Assume all patients have tried an OTC treatment. |
OTC Medications | OTC drugs are approved and labeled by the FDA.
OTC must go through the New Drug Application process just as prescription drugs.
There are 80 therapeutic categories of OTC drugs. |
Annual OTC Medication Sales | Cough and cold medications: $4 billion
OTC analgesics: $3.99 billion
Heartburn: $2.28 billion
Laxatives: $1.3 billion |
Annual OTC Medication Sales | Acne: $617 million
Diarrhea: $225 million
Nicotine replacement: $855 million |
OTC Drugs | An OTC drug has the following characteristics:
It must be safe.
It has low potential for misuse or abuse. |
OTC Drugs | It can be labeled.
The patient must be able to self-diagnose the condition/The condition must be able to be managed by the patient. |
Self-Prescribing | The patient must accurately diagnose and appropriately treat/Concerns/Treating serious illness that worsens due to lack of appropriate treatment |
Self-Prescribing | Example: treating bacterial pneumonia with OTC cough medication
Adverse effects of medications
Drug interactions |
Hazards of OTC Self-Medication | Inaccurate dosing
Toxic levels due to overdose
Acetaminophen toxicity
Overuse |
Hazards of OTC Self-Medication | Combination medications
Decongestant medications in infants/young children |
Hazards of OTC Self-Medication | Infant drops removed from market
Relabeled not to use under age 4 years |
Adverse Effects of OTC Medications | Gastrointestinal (GI) upset/GI bleeding/Sedation/ Impaired driving/Drug interactions |
OTC Medication Abuse | Dextromethorphan abuse
Dysphoria at high doses similar to lysergic acid diethylamide
Easily accessible for teens |
OTC Medication Abuse | Pseudoephedrine
Precursor to methamphetamine |
OTC Medication Abuse | Federal law restricting daily and 30-day amounts
Stored behind counter and identification required |