OTC MEDICATIONS
Acetaminophen and ibuprofen are available in several pediatric dosage forms to reduce fever.
Knowing when to self-treat and when to refer pain complaints is important.
Patients should consult their physician before taking aspirin to prevent stroke and heart attack.
Pharmacists should watch out for troubling symptoms such as dizziness or hearing loss in patients.
Pharmacists must ensure that patients understand labeling contraindications against use.
Patients should use caution when taking this herbal supplement for depression.
Pharmacists can offer consumers valuable advice about how to avoid these common oral health problems.
Home pregnancy tests and fertility monitors are generally reliable and easy to use.
Lyme disease is well known to the public, but many other types of infections can be transmitted through tick bites.
Some OTC medications may cause an inflammatory response in patients with respiratory conditions and should be avoided.
The idea of pharmacists dispensing certain drugs without a prescription has merit.
OTC products promising symptom relief or antibacterial effects are not presently proven safe and effective.
A pain medication should be chosen based on the type of pain being treated and the patient's individual health profile
Pharmacists can suggest self-treatment for earwax impaction and water-clogged ears.
Xerosis may result from a serious medical condition, but
usually commonplace factors, such as the climate and bathing habits, are
responsible.
Applying skin protectants is the best way to prevent and treat this irritation in infants.
One reason why smoking can be so addictive is because nicotine stimulates dopamine transmission in the brain.
One-fourth of Americans experience occasional problems sleeping.
Many patients who initially seek relief through the use of nonprescription products will require referral to a physician.
Benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid are among the OTC products found effective.
The pharmacist should follow the FDA OTC review panel’s determination of which burns may be self-treated.
These medications exist in a pharmaceutical limbo between OTC and prescription.
These skin growths are caused by certain subtypes of papillomavirus.
OTC antihistamines continue to be the standard for relieving bothersome allergy symptoms.
Certain categories of OTC products are problematic for patients with renal or prostate disorders.
Premenstrual pain and cramping can be treated with nonprescription analgesics.
Only patients with intermediate or advanced disease in one eye will benefit from the AREDS supplement formula.
A host of items are available to safely treat conditions such as dry eye, redness, and allergic conjunctivitis.
Research increasingly points to the benefits of this substance, including protection against chronic diseases such as diabetes and cancer.
Labeling for OTC cough and cold medications now states: “Do not use in children under 4 years of age.”
A great many OTC products advise against medically unsupervised use in patients with heart disease or hypertension.
Toothpastes containing potassium nitrate can help ease dental pain caused by hot or cold drinks.
This disorder requires more counseling than other conditions treatable by self-care.
Traditionally, detoxification products have been used to remove the
buildup of toxins thought to accumulate in the body through ingestion
and exposure.
Bleaching agents containing hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide can effectively whiten teeth by several shades.
When a product’s status changes, pharmacist should instruct patients about safe use.
An estimated 1 billion people worldwide, across all ethnicities and age groups, have a vitamin D deficiency.
Vulvovaginal candidiasis can be self-treated if properly diagnosed.
This common dermatophytic skin infection is usually caused by
Trichophyton rubrum.
It is important for pharmacists to be able to assess whether an injury
is self-treatable or if a referral is required.
Pharmacists must know which products carry warnings against usage by
individuals with diabetes and be able to counsel patients about which
products are safe.
OTC treatments for this common condition include oral medications,
topical external analgesic products, and thermotherapy.
Pharmacists should be prepared to distinguish when to recommend
nonprescription therapies and when a referral may be necessary.
With many types of lenses and solutions available, it is critical to
prevent infection and ensure safe lens wear.
Keratoconjunctivitis sicca is a frequent cause of patient
visits to pharmacies for OTC treatment.
Growing resistance to many forms of treatment make this parasite hard
to eradicate.
Some OTC medications may cause dangerous rises in blood pressure.
Despite restrictions on the sale of this decongestant, developments in
methamphetamine production present new challenges for pharmacists.
Various sources for this problem have been identified, including air swallowing, diet, lactose intolerance, and IBS.
Prolonged tiredness and sleepiness are a concern for many people.
Patients often request relief for foot discomfort due to a wide range of causes, including corns and calluses.
Understanding the relative advantages and disadvantages of OTC antacids, H2 antagonists, and proton pump inhibitors allows the pharmacist to provide lasting relief for patients.
Caution must be taken when recommending OTC products for pregnancy-related symptoms.
Polyisoprene condoms are as effective as those made from latex or polyurethane.
According to a recent survey of pharmacists, more than 60% of OTC
recommendations sought by the public involved cough and cold products.
Patients should use sunscreen to protect themselves from harmful UV radiation, because there’s no such thing as a healthy tan.
Dry or red eye, allergic conjunctivitis, and foreign bodies in the eye are secondary ocular conditions common in older patients.
To successfully help seniors make appropriate nonprescription drug choices, it is essential for pharmacists to correctly assess their symptoms.
OTC products are recommended for a wide variety of minor aches and pains, making it a complex market for the average patient.
Despite numerous critical instructions and warnings on the labels,
research has shown that these products are often used incorrectly.
Although nonprescription products are of no use in treating this common childhood condition, the pharmacist should be prepared to answer the parent’s questions.
When used as directed, nonprescription cough and cold products can be
safe for the pediatric population, and a pharmacist's counseling is
integral to ensuring that they are being used safely and at appropriate
doses.
The pharmacist is on the front lines of pharmaceutical care when patients need assistance with minor health conditions.
A ndrogenic alopecia, or male pattern baldness, is the most common form of alopecia, occurring in more than 50% of men.
There is little debate that the Rx-to-OTC switch movement (when a prescription drug is reclassified to nonprescription or OTC status) has caused major changes in the pharmacy marketplace. When the patent on a prescription medication expires, the manufacturer typically experiences a dip in profits due to emerging competition from generics.
Providing durable medical equipment (DME) can develop into a lucrative and rewarding aspect of a pharmacy's total patient care role.
Approximately 36 million Americans use OTC pain medications daily...
Community pharmacists field hundreds of self-care questions yearly on the topic of pain management...
Rashes are ubiquitous in the American population, being one of the more common reasons for pharmacy and physician visits.
Asthma is a pulmonary disease characterized by reversible airflow obstruction and bronchial hyperresponsiveness.
By the age of 70, nearly 80% of men have benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a prostate condition that can cause a variety of bothersome urinary symptoms.
Obesity is a medical condition that is highly resistant to therapeutic interventions.
Blood pressure measurement is critical in diagnosing hypertension and managing the efficacy of antihypertensive medications.
Injunction Puts the Brakes on CMS Medicaid Reimbursement Cuts Alexandria, VA -- A judge for the U.
Strains, sprains, and other musculoskeletal problems are extremely common.
The potential number of interactions between nonprescription products and psychotropic medications is difficult to estimate due to the number of OTC products and the immense probability that many will interact with psychotropics.
Obesity is a medical condition that is highly resistant to therapeutic interventions.
It is considered unethical for manufacturers to design prospective human trials to ascertain potential teratogenicity or to determine dangers to a baby when medications pass into breast milk.
According to the National Institute for Aging, quackery is at an all-time high.
First OTC Weight Loss Drug Now Available in Stores GlaxoSmithKline's alli (orlistat), the only FDA-approved weight loss product, recently hit shelves in pharmacies, grocery stores, and mass merchandisers nationwide.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) policy statement on breast-feeding recommends that women breast-feed their infants exclusively for at least the first six months of life and suggests trying to breast-feed for the first 12 months of life.
During much of the 20th century, cigarette smoking was tacitly and even overtly romanticized.
Acne vulgaris is a common skin disorder, affecting 40 to 50 million people in the United States.
Community pharmacists can influence how OTC medications should be used and, in many instances, which products are actually purchased by patients.
Although many nonprescription products are marketed for sinus congestion and sinus headache, the FDA aims to ensure that products labeled for sinusitis will never again be sold on a nonprescription basis.
With the advent of warmer weather, seasoned pharmacists anticipate an onslaught of patients seeking assistance with summer-related illnesses, such as sunburn, poison ivy, and insect-related problems.
The pharmacist is often asked about dermatologic conditions.
Herpes simplex labialis, also known as cold sores, is a common cause of perioral discomfort.
Pharmacists are in a unique position within the health care community.
In 2005, an estimated 20.8 million people in the United States had diabetes mellitus.