What does OTC mean?

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:

• Stay home and rest, especially while you have a fever.

• Don’t smoke and avoid secondhand smoke.

• 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?

• Should I avoid any activities while I’m taking the medicine?

• 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

~ by hadzie on December 31, 2008.