John MillerHarry HandshawOVER-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

BRIEF HISTORY 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 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

A drug requiring a prescription, as opposed to an over-the-counter 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 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 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

Lipitor Nexium Plavix Advair Diskus Seroquel Alilify Singulair Actos Enbrel Epogen

Remicade Crestor Avastin Neulasta OxyCotin Cymbalta Effexor XR Lexapro Lovenox Zyprexa

QUESTION 1 Who can name 5 OTC drugs and 5

prescription drugs?

PATTERNS OF USE FOR SENIORS IN HIGH SCHOOL

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

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

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 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

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 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 2http://youtu.be/PpBujPvwBSU

What are the basic rules when taking prescription or OTC drugs properly?

CITES http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drug

facts/prescription-over-counter-medications http://www.oas.samhsa.gov/2k9/painRelieve

rs/nonmedicalTrends.pdf http://www.accessj.com/2011/11/over-count

er-drugs-in-japan.html http://blog.capital.org/compliance-update-ot

c-drug-reimbursement-changing/ http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drug

facts/prescription-over-counter-medications http://pharmacy.about.com/od/TheDrugIndu

stry/a/Over-The-Counter-Medicines-Otc-Medicines.htm

Hanson, Glen. Drugs and Society – 11th edition pg. 429-465

http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=5034