Many people assume that over-the-counter (OTC) drugs are completely safe since they don't require a prescription. But this is dangerous thinking. The main danger with OTC drugs lies with users neglecting to thoroughly read labels. Second, people don't take the time to consult with their pharmacist to make sure they've chosen the right drug. Lastly, these medications can affect women and men very differently-mainly because of weight differences-but dosing directions usually only distinguish between adults and children, posing yet another danger.
Practise over-the-counter drug safety by remembering this simple acronym: O-T-C.
• Obey directions by reading drug labels.
• Talk to your pharmacist, it's a free consultation with an expert.
• Choose the lowest dose first.
Multi-symptom cold and flu medications
Over 700 OTC multi-symptom cold and flu remedies exist in the marketplace. The biggest misuse issue involves medications containing multiple drug ingredients that target a host of symptoms-including some you might not have. Excess medication can cause unwanted side effects and potentially dangerous drug interactions. For example, if you have a cold and you only have one symptom, such as nasal congestion, there's no reason to take a product that also treats cough, headache, body aches, etc. For congestion, take a decongestant with an ingredient such as phenylephrine, which solely treats that symptom.
Safety rule: When taking a multi-symptom cold or flu medication, make sure you have at least three quarters of the symptoms it's treating. Otherwise choose a single-ingredient medication to avoid putting excess chemicals in your body.
Acetaminophen
To relieve pain from ailments ranging from headaches to menstrual cramps, many people reach for the OTC drug acetaminophen, most widely known as Tylenol, but now found in many other cough and cold medications. Acetaminophen misuse is the leading cause of acute liver failure. Symptoms of liver failure include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and jaundice. The overuse of acetaminophen can also worsen headaches, a side effect known as rebound syndrome. Women especially need to take note of this danger since they suffer from headaches more frequently than men do. Safety Rule: Never take more than eight tablets (4,000 mg) of acetaminophen a day.
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)
To get relief from heartburn many people take OTC drugs called proton pump inhibitors, or PPIS, like Prilosec and Prevacid that work by shutting down stomach-acid production. Frequent PPI use has been shown to form some sort of drug dependency in as little as a few weeks.
Also the low-acid environment created by PPIs decreases absorption of calcium, which increases fracture risk (especially in women) and is also linked to vitamin B12 deficiency, which can cause nerve damage.
Safety rule: Use proton pump inhibitors for no longer than four weeks. As a safe, well-tolerated alternative, try an antacid, but don't for more than two weeks without consulting a doctor.
Antihistamines
Millions of people experience the sniffles, sneezing, itching, coughing, watery eyes and scratchy throats associated with allergies. OTC antihistamines with certain ingredients, such as diphenhydramine, cause drowsiness. They should only be taken at night. Safety rule: Take most antihistamines, especially those containing diphenhydramine, only at night. If your main symptom is congestion, try a decongestant instead to avoid drowsiness.
NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)
Non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory pain relievers, or NSAIDS (Advil, Aleve, Motrin) are too often used for longer than needed at too high a dosage, which can thin stomach lining and cause ulcers. In fact, NSAID use is the second most common cause of ulcers after H.pylori infection. Misuse can also lead to rebound headaches, kidney problems and increased risk of heart and stroke. Safety rule: To avoid gastrointestinal problems, always take NSAIDs with food. Never take NSAIDs for more than ten days without talking with your doctor. (Yahoo Health)