Over+the+Counter+Meds

There are many types of over the counter medication, and they all have their own specific purpose. This site provides an overview of those classifications, what name brands can they be found under, how the different medicines work, and conflicts that can occur between them.


 * = [[image:Aspirin.jpg caption="Aspirin"]] ||= [[image:Advil.jpg caption="Ibuprofen"]] ||= [[image:Aleve.gif caption="Naproxen Sodium"]] ||
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What types of OTC pain relievers are available?
Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers are medicines that you can buy without a prescription from your doctor. Two main types of OTC pain relievers are available. One type is acetaminophen (brand name: Tylenol). The second type is nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (also called NSAIDs). NSAIDs include the following: Some products contain both acetaminophen and aspirin (brand names: Excedrin Extra Strength, Excedrin Migraine, Vanquish).
 * Aspirin (two brand names: Bayer, St. Joseph)
 * Ibuprofen (two brand names: Advil, Motrin)
 * Ketoprofen (one brand name: Orudis KT)
 * Naproxen (one brand name: Aleve)

How do pain relievers work?
Acetaminophen seems to relieve pain and reduce fever by working on the parts of the brain that receive pain messages and control the body’s temperature.

NSAIDs relieve pain and fever by reducing the level of hormone-like substances (called prostaglandins) that your body makes. These substances cause the feeling of pain by irritating your nerve endings. They also are part of the system that helps your body control its temperature.

What types of problems can OTC pain relievers help?
Acetaminophen and NSAIDs relieve pain caused by muscle aches and stiffness, and reduce fever. NSAIDs can also reduce inflammation (redness and swelling).

OTC pain relievers can be helpful in treating many types of pain, such as pain from [|arthritis], [|earaches] , [|back pain] , and [|pain after surgery]. They can also treat pain from the [|flu (influenza) or a cold], [|sinusitis] , [|strep throat] or a [|sore throat]. Children who may have the flu or chickenpox should not take aspirin because they are at higher risk to develop a condition called Reye’s Syndrome.

Acetaminophen can be a good choice for relieving headaches and other common aches and pains. Most people on a long-term basis for arthritis and other chronic painful conditions can use it safely if pain is improved. Make sure you tell your doctor about any OTC medications you take regularly.

Ibuprofen is helpful for menstrual cramps and pain from inflammation (such as muscle sprains). If ibuprofen doesn’t work for you, naproxen and ketoprofen may be options.

Will an OTC pain reliever work as well as a prescription one?
For most people, OTC drugs are all they need to relieve pain or reduce fever. If an OTC drug doesn’t help your pain or fever, or if you’ve been taking an OTC drug for more than 10 days for pain or 3 days for fever, call your doctor. These may be signs that you have a more serious problem or need a prescription medicine.

What are some common side effects of OTC pain relievers?
Side effects from OTC pain relievers aren’t common for healthy adults who only use pain relievers once in a while. However, side effects can be a concern for people who use pain relievers often or who have health problems. If you have health problems or use pain relievers often, talk to your doctor.

Acetaminophen can be used safely by most people. It can cause liver damage in people who take very high doses or who already have abnormal liver function. To reduce your risk of liver problems, never take more than the recommended dose of acetaminophen. For adults and children older than 12, this means a maximum of 8 extra-strength or 12 regular-strength pills a day.

With long-term use, NSAIDs can cause gastrointestinal (GI) problems. These problems range from upset stomach to ulcers to GI bleeding. For minor stomach upset, eating some food or drinking some milk before you take an NSAID may help. Your risk of GI problems from NSAIDs goes up the higher the dose you take and the longer you take them. Drinking alcohol may increase this risk. Acetaminophen is much less likely than NSAIDs to cause GI problems.

NSAIDs may also make high blood pressure worse. If NSAIDs are used regularly for many years, they can also hurt your kidneys. Your doctor can check for this problem with a blood test.

If you have questions about the side effects of OTC pain relievers, talk to your doctor.

Who shouldn’t take acetaminophen?
You generally shouldn’t take acetaminophen if you are already taking another product containing acetaminophen. If you have severe kidney or liver disease, or if you have 3 or more drinks that contain alcohol every day, you should talk to your doctor before taking acetaminophen.

Who shouldn’t take NSAIDs?
You shouldn’t take NSAIDs if you are allergic to aspirin or other pain relievers. Talk to your doctor or before you take an NSAID, especially aspirin, if you:
 * Take blood-thinning medicine or have a bleeding disorder
 * Have bleeding in the stomach or intestines, or have peptic (stomach) ulcers
 * Have liver or kidney disease
 * Have 3 or more drinks that contain alcohol every day

Can OTC pain relievers cause problems with any other medicines I take?
If certain drugs are taken at the same time, they can interact with each other and change the way your body processes them. This is called a drug interaction. When this happens, the risk of side effects increases.

For example, if someone who takes high blood pressure medicine also takes an NSAID, the high blood pressure medicine may not work as well as it should.

Many OTC drugs contain the same pain reliever or contain ingredients found in prescription drugs. By combining OTC medicines or taking a prescription drug with an OTC drug, you may be getting more than the recommended dose of the active ingredient (the substance in the medicine that works to relieve your symptoms). For example, many OTC cold medicines contain acetaminophen. If you were to take one of these products and also take acetaminophen separately, you would be taking much more acetaminophen than you intended.




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What types of OTC antihistamines are available?
Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs are medicines you can buy without a doctor’s prescription. Two types of OTC antihistamines are available: first generation and the newer second generation antihistamines.

First-Generation OTC Antihistamines
· Brompheniramine (brand names: Dimetapp Cold & Allergy Elixir, Robitussin Allergy & Cough Liquid) · Chlorpheniramine (one brand name: Singlet) · Dimenhydrinate (one brand name: Dramamine Original) · Diphenhydramine (some brand names: Benadryl Allergy, Nytol, Sominex, Tylenol PM, Simply Sleep) · Doxylamine (two brand names: Vicks NyQuil, Alka-Seltzer Plus Night-Time Cold Medicine, Some Sleep medicines)

Second-Generation OTC Antihistamines

 * Loratadine (some brand names: Alavert, Claritin)

How do antihistamines work?
Histamines are substances that try to attach to the cells in your body and irritate them. Histamines can cause itching, sneezing, a runny nose and watery eyes. Antihistamines prevent histamines from attaching to your cells and causing symptoms. > Antihistamines also work in the part of the brain that controls nausea and vomiting. This is why they can help prevent motion sickness.

What symptoms can OTC antihistamines treat?
Antihistamines can help prevent and treat the symptoms of [|allergies], [|colds and the flu] (influenza). These symptoms include sneezing, itchy and watery eyes, and a runny nose. Antihistamines can also relieve itchiness caused by insect bites and stings, poison ivy and poison oak. > Some antihistamines are used to prevent motion sickness. Because one of the most common side effects of antihistamines is feeling sleepy, they are sometimes used to help people who have [|insomnia].

What are some common side effects of OTC antihistamines?
Side effects from antihistamines aren’t common for healthy adults. However, side effects can be a concern for older adults or people who have health problems. > First-generation antihistamines can make you feel very sleepy. This can affect your ability to drive or operate machines. It can also make it hard for you to think clearly. Antihistamines can cause your mouth and eyes to feel dry. Second-generation antihistamines are not as likely to cause these side effects.

Could OTC antihistamines cause problems with any other medicines I take?
Yes. Antihistamines can interact with other drugs you take. If certain drugs are taken at the same time, they can interact with each other and change the way your body processes them. This is called a drug interaction. When this happens, the risk of side effects increases. > If you take any of the following drugs, talk to your doctor before taking a first-generation antihistamine: Antihistamines are often combined with [|decongestants] and/or [|pain relievers]. If you take one of these combination medicines, it’s important to understand each of the active ingredients and the interactions they may have with other drugs you’re taking. > Be sure not to “double up” on antihistamine. Many OTC cold and allergy products contain antihistamines, as do some prescription drugs. If you take more than one of these products, you can take much more antihistamine than you intend.
 * Sleeping pills or sedatives
 * Muscle relaxants
 * High blood pressure medicine

Should I avoid any foods, drinks or activities while taking antihistamines?
Alcohol can increase the drowsiness caused by antihistamines. Also, be very careful if you drive a car or run machines while taking an antihistamine. Antihistamines may slow your reactions without you even being aware of it.

Who shouldn’t take antihistamines?
Talk to your doctor before using a first-generation antihistamine if you have any of the following health problems: Before taking a second-generation antihistamine, tell your doctor if you’ve ever had kidney or liver disease. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
 * [|Glaucoma]
 * Trouble urinating (from an enlarged prostate gland)
 * Breathing problems, such as [|asthma], [|emphysema] or chronic bronchitis
 * Thyroid disease
 * [|Heart disease]
 * [|High blood pressure]

Information on this page courtesy of [|Family Doctor.org]