OTC stands for over-the-counter. These are medicines you
can buy without a prescription from your doctor. OTC are
normally medications you use to relieve pain and treat
symptoms of the common cold, the flu and allergies. The
common OTC product are:
-
Pain relievers
-
Antihistamines
-
Decongestants
-
Cough medicines
Pain Relievers
The OTC products that relieve your headache, fever or
muscle aches are either nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs (called NSAIDs, which include aspirin, ibuprofen,
naproxen and ketoprofen) or paracetamol. Each of these
drugs has a different way of working:Aspirin and NSAIDs
relieve pain by stopping the production of prostaglandins,
which are natural chemicals in the body. Prostaglandins
irritate nerve endings, triggering the sensation of pain.
Commonly used NSAIDs include:
-
Aspirin
-
Ibuprofen
-
Naproxen
-
Ketoprofen
Paracetamol relieves pain and reduces fever. We don’t
completely understand the way acetaminophen relieves
pain. We do know that unlike aspirin and NSAIDs (which
work in the skin, muscles and joints), Paracetamol blocks
painful sensation in the brain and the spinal cord.
Possible side effects:
The main side effect associated with aspirin and other
NSAIDs is that it ranges from upset stomach to GI
bleeding, a serious event that is most likely to occur in
older people. The chances increases with the larger the
dose you take and the longer you take them.Aspirin and
NSAIDs may make high blood pressure worse or interfere
with blood pressure medicines.Although safe in the
majority of users, long-term use of high doses of
acetaminophen, has been shown to cause a form of kidney
disease called analgesic nephropathy. This serious
condition may develop after years or decades of daily use.
Do not take more than 4 grams a day which is equivalent
to 8 tabs of 500mg paracetamol.
Antihistamines
Antihistamines work by blocking the receptors that trigger
itching, nasal irritation, sneezing and mucus production.
The two types of antihistamines are:
-
Diphenhydramine, normally used for coughs
-
Chlorpheniramine, normally used for cold
Possible side effects:
Antihistamines can cause sedation or drowsiness and,
therefore, can significantly impair a person’s ability to
drive or operate machinery. The sedative effects of
antihistamines may increase the risk of falling.
Antihistamines can also cause temporary dry mouth or
eyes.
Decongestants
Decongestants work by narrowing blood vessels in the
lining of the nose. As a result, less blood is able to flow
through the nasal area, and swollen tissue inside the nose
shrinks.
-
Pseudoephedrine, normally combined with other antihistamine products
-
Oxymetazoline, normally as nasal drop or nasal spray
Possible side effects:
Pseudoephedrine can temporarily cause nervousness,
dizziness and sleeplessness. It can make you lose your
appetite or retain urine. It can also cause heart
palpitations, high blood pressure or high blood sugar
levels.
Cough Medicines
Cough medicines are grouped into two types: antitussives
and expectorants. Antitussives, or cough suppressants,
block the cough reflex.
-
Dextromethorphan is a common antitussive and is in combination with antihistamines
Expectorants, on the other hand, are thought to thin
mucus and make coughing more productive in clearing
the mucus from the airway.
-
Guaifenesin is the only expectorant used in OTC products in combination with antihistamines
Timeline of Symptoms Associated with the Common Cold
There is no cure for the common cold. Medicine can only
make your symptoms less bothersome until your body can
fight off the virus. Medicine won’t make your cold go away
completely. The following are tips to help you feel better
when you have a cold:
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Stay home and rest, especially while you have a fever.
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Don’t smoke and avoid secondhand smoke.
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Drink plenty of fluids like water, fruit juices and clear soups.
-
Gargle with warm salt water a few times a day to relieve a sore throat. Throat sprays or lozenges may also help relieve the pain.
-
Use salt water (saline) nose drops to help loosen mucus and moisten the tender skin in your nose.
Many cold medicines are available over-the-counter. If
you decide to use an OTC medicine to treat your cold
symptoms, consult the chart below.
| Day | Symptoms | OTC Medicine |
1 |
Fatigue, mild sore throat |
Paracetamol or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (ibuprofen) |
2 |
Runny nose |
Antihistamine (diphenhydramine, chlorpheniramine ) |
3 |
“Stopped up” nose |
Decongestant (pseudoephedrine,oxymetazoline) |
4 |
Dry cough |
Antitussive (dextromethorphan) |
5 |
Moist, productive cough |
Expectorant (guiafenesin) |
6 |
Voice “breaks” or disappears altogether |
No medicine will help your voice come back sooner. Resting it is the only thing that will help. |
How to Read an OTC Drug Label
You don’t need a prescription to buy OTC medicine. But
like prescription drugs, OTC medicines can also cause
unwanted and sometimes dangerous side effects. Before
you buy an OTC medicine, it’s important to read and
thoroughly understand the information on the drug label.
Use the following as a guide. If you have questions about a
medicine, ask your pharmacist or family doctor.
1. Active Ingredient. The active ingredient is the chemical
compound in the medicine that works to relieve your
symptoms. It is always the first item on the label. There
may be more than one active ingredient in a product. The
label will clearly show this.
2. Uses. This section lists the symptoms the medicine is
meant to treat. Uses are sometimes referred to as “indications.”
3. Warnings. This safety information will tell you what
other medicines, foods or situations (such as driving) to
avoid while taking this medicine.
4. Directions. Information about how much medicine you
should take and how often you should take it will be listed
here.
5. Other Information. Any other important information,
such as how to store the product, will be listed here.
6. Inactive Ingredients. An inactive ingredient is a
chemical compound in the medicine that isn’t meant to
treat a symptom. Inactive ingredients can include
preservatives, binding agents and food coloring. This
section is especially important for people who know they
have allergies to food coloring or other chemicals.
7. Questions or Comments. A toll-free number is provided
to address any questions or comments you may have
about the medicine.
How to Get the Most from Your Medicine
OTC medicines can help you feel better. But if they are
taken the wrong way, they can actually make you feel
worse. To use OTC medicines correctly, follow the
guidelines below.Below is a list of questions you can ask
your doctor or pharmacist to learn how to use each
medicine correctly and safely:
-
What does the medicine do?
-
When and how should I take the medicine?
-
What are the possible side effects (reactions your body may have to the medicine)?
-
Will the medicine react to any other medicines, foods or drinks?
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Should I avoid any activities while I’m taking the medicine?
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How will I know if the medicine is working?
Understand generic vs. brand name
Just like foods, some medicines come in both brand names
and generics. Generic medicines are generally cheaper.
Compare the list of ingredients. If the generic has the
same ingredients as the brand name, you may want to
consider using it. But be careful: the generic may contain
different amounts of certain medicines. For example,
paracetamol may come in different strength and brand
names. You have to choose the correct dose for you and
not just follow what your friends or relative suggest
because it might not suit you or especially your children.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions
about which medicine to choose.
Source : American Academy of Family Physicians
MIMS Malaysia
