Transcript Over-the-Counter (OTC) and Prescription

John Miller
Harry Handshaw
OVER-THE-COUNTER (OTC) AND PRESCRIPTION
TOPIC OF DISCUSSION – OTC AND
PRESCRIPTION
Brief History
 Define the category
 List of Drugs contained in it
 Patterns of Use
 Pharmacology, Mechanisms of Action, Absorption
and Elimination
 Published beneficial medical uses
 Potential for Dependence
 Health Concerns/Overdose Potential
 Summary Questions
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BRIEF HISTORY
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In 1906, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) was established
Before this, most drugs were available without prescription
Alcohol, cocaine, marijuana, and opium were included in some OTC
products without notification to the users
In 1938, Congress passed The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic (FDC)
Act which allowed the manufacturer to determine whether a drug was to
be labeled prescription or nonprescription.
From this point on, drugs were classified as either prescription or OTC
drugs
The FD&C act was passed in 1962 stating that OTC drugs were required
to be both safe and effective.
DEFINE THE CATEGORY OF OTC DRUGS
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Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines are drugs you can buy
without a prescription. Some OTC medicines relieve aches,
pains and itches. Some prevent or cure diseases, like tooth
decay and athlete's foot. Others help manage recurring
problems, like migraines.
DEFINE THE CATEGORY OF PRESCRIPTION
DRUGS
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A drug requiring a prescription, as opposed to an over-thecounter drug, which can be purchased without one. The word
"prescription" comes from the Latin "praescriptus" compounded
from "prae", before + scribere, to write = to write before.
Historically, a prescription was written before the drug was
prepared and administered.
MAJOR OTC ANALGESIC DRUGS
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Four types of OTC analgesic drugs available to the public are
Acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin), acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and
naproxen.
Because each of these types has its benefits and hazards,
recommended dosage levels should be observed, and anyone
with specific health problems should be aware that analgesic
drugs may be harmful.
OTHER MAJOR CLASSES OF OTC DRUGS
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Two other classes of OTC drugs are notable for their popularity
and their potential for misuse.
The first is the variety of sleep aids, with the active ingredient
of either diphenhydramine or doxylamine succinate.
The second is the variety of cough-and-cold remedies that
generally contain some combination of antihistamine and
decongestant.
The recreational use of cough-and-cold remedies containing
dextromethorphan (DM, DMX) is a continuing drug abuse
problem.
TOP 20 TYPES OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS
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Lipitor
Nexium
Plavix
Advair Diskus
Seroquel
Alilify
Singulair
Actos
Enbrel
Epogen
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Remicade
Crestor
Avastin
Neulasta
OxyCotin
Cymbalta
Effexor XR
Lexapro
Lovenox
Zyprexa
QUESTION 1
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Who can name 5 OTC drugs and 5 prescription
drugs?
PATTERNS OF USE FOR SENIORS IN HIGH
SCHOOL
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As you can see drugs like
Vicodin, Adderal, Cough
Medicine are all in the top 7
drugs used by 12th graders,
down past the top 7 there is
OxyContin and Ritalin which
are also OTC drugs.
The most common drug
being overdosed on would
be cough medicine or cold
recovering medicines which
contain the substance
called dextromethorphan.
PATTERN OF USE BY DIFFERENT AGE GROUPS
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As in the case of most other
drugs, for OTC drugs the age
of 18-25 is the highest rate of
use.
Surprisingly though kids
younger that 18 have a
greater rate of use than
adults of the age of 26 or
higher.
The ability to get OTC drugs is
easier so that may be a factor
in determining how kids of
the age group of 12-17 have
a higher rate than 26 or older
PHARMACOLOGY, MECHANISM OF ACTION, AND
ABSORPTION AND ELIMINATION
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For this drug category the Pharmacology,
Mechanism of Action, And Absorption and
Elimination are highly variable making it
difficult to pin point the exact essence of each
MEDICAL USES
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OTC drugs are used to relieve pain, fever, and inflammation,
relieve cold symptoms, allergy symptoms, diminish fatigue and
drowsiness, promote sleep, relieve indigestion from rebound
activity, constipation, diarrhea, heartburn, treat skin infections,
assist breathing, promote oral hygiene, acne, infections, hair
growth, and provide diet supplements
POTENTIAL FOR PHYSICAL AND
PSYCHOLOGICAL DEPENDENCE
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Since the drugs are very
easy to obtain it is
exceptionally easy to be
dependant on them.
The drugs with the most
habit-forming include nasal
and eye decongestants,
laxatives, antihistamines,
sleep aids, and antacids.
The FDA has recently had to
take ephedrine stimulants
out of the OTC drug area
and must be given only on
prescription.
HEALTH CONCERNS/OVERDOSE POTENTIAL
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These medicines are safe and
effected when you follow the
directions on the label and as
directed by your healthcare
professional.
However, sometimes it is easy to
forget that OTC drugs are still drugs,
and when used improperly (taking
higher-than-recommended doses,
using more frequently than directed,
or combining with certain other legal
or illegal substances), these drugs
can produce a range of potentially
damaging effects.
The long term harmful effects of OTC
abuse can include brain damage,
seizures, coma and even death if
taken improperly.
QUESTION 2
http://youtu.be/PpBujPvwBSU
 What are the basic rules when taking
prescription or OTC drugs properly?
CITES
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http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/prescription-overcounter-medications
http://www.oas.samhsa.gov/2k9/painRelievers/nonmedicalTrends.p
df
http://www.accessj.com/2011/11/over-counter-drugs-in-japan.html
http://blog.capital.org/compliance-update-otc-drug-reimbursementchanging/
http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/prescription-overcounter-medications
http://pharmacy.about.com/od/TheDrugIndustry/a/Over-TheCounter-Medicines-Otc-Medicines.htm
Hanson, Glen. Drugs and Society – 11th edition pg. 429-465
http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=5034