For common minor symptoms and illnesses, over-the-counter medicines are available. Always follow the manufacturer's directions and warnings when using these products. If you have any questions, consult with your doctor before starting a new over-the-counter drug. All medications lose their effectiveness (expire) over time and eventually should be replaced. Check the expiration date before using any product.
Remember that storing medicines improperly shortens their "shelf life." Store medicines in a cool, dry area. The heat from kitchens and the moisture from bathrooms decrease the effectiveness of a medication. Store all medications out of reach of children. See: Storing medicine safely
Do NOT give aspirin to children under 12. Consult your health care provider before giving aspirin, ibuprofen, or similar medicines to children. Pepto-Bismol contains aspirin-like salicylates, so talk with your doctor before using it in children.
Avoid combination cough and cold preparations in children under age 6 because they have sometimes caused over-sedation and death. Above all, be sure that the medications you use do not contain the same ingredients, which could lead to an overdose.
Women should consult their doctor before taking over-the-counter medicines while pregnant or breastfeeding.
Pain medications (1 image)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Pain medicines are also called analgesics. Every type of pain medicine has benefits and risks. Specific types of pain may respond better to one kind of medication than to another kind. What takes away your pain might not work for someone else. OVER-THE-COUNTER PAIN MEDICINES Over-the-counter (OTC) medications are good for many types of pain. OTC medicines include: Acetaminophen (Tylenol; Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs. Acetaminophen is a non-aspirin pain reliever. It can be used to lower a fever and soothe headaches and other common aches and pains. However, acetaminophen does not reduce swelling (inflammation. This medicine is easier on the stomach than other pain medications, and it is safer for children. It can, however, be harmful to the liver if you take more than the recommended dose. See: Acetaminophen overdose NSAIDs include aspirin, naproxen, ibuprofen, and several others that require a prescription. These medicines relieve pain, but they also reduce inflammation caused by injury, arthritis, or fever. NSAIDs work by reducing the production of hormone-like substances called prostaglandins, which cause pain. DO NOT give aspirin to children. Reye syndrome is associated with the use of aspirin to treat children with viral infections, such as chicken pox or the flu. If you have high blood pressure, kidney disease, or a history of gastrointestinal bleeding, you should talk to your health care provider before using any over-the-counter NSAID. PRESCRIPTION PAIN MEDICINES Prescription medications may be needed for other types of pain. COX-2 inhibitors are a type of prescription painkiller that block an inflammation-promoting substance called COX-2. This class of drugs was initially believed to work as well as traditional NSAIDs, but with fewer stomach side effects. However, numerous reports of heart attacks and stroke have prompted the FDA to re-evaluate the risks and benefits of the COX-2s. Patients should ask their doctor whether a COX-2 drug is appropriate and safe for them. Narcotic painkillers are very strong, potentially habit-forming medicines used to treat severe pain. They include oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine, and codeine. Talk to your doctor if your pain lasts longer than a few days, if over-the-counter pain medications do not relieve your pain, or if other symptoms develop. A pain specialist may be needed to help manage long-term pain. ALTERNATIVES TO PAIN MEDICINE You might ask your doctor about alternatives to pain medicines, which include: Heat; Ice; Massage; Rest; Biofeedback; Relaxation techniques. Reviewer: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 05/02/2009
Storing medicine safely(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Medicine storage Reviewer: Linda Vorvick, MD, Family Physician, Seattle Site Coordinator, Lecturer, Pathophysiology, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 03/14/2009
Drug allergies (11 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Drug allergies are a group of symptoms caused by allergic reaction to a drug (medication. Reviewer: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; Stuart I. Henochowicz, MD, FACP, Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine, Division of Allergy, Immunology, and Rheumatology, Georgetown University Medical School. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 08/06/2008
Getting a prescription filled (1 image)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Once you receive a prescription from your health care provider, you may buy the medication from various sources. Factors that may affect where you purchase your prescription include the pharmacy's location and hours of operation, cost of the medication, and insurance coverage. Questions to consider when choosing a pharmacy include: Does your health insurance limit where prescriptions can be filled; Is the location convenient to home, school, or work; Does the pharmacy maintain patient records (preferably on computer) and check for drug interactions; Are employees willing to take time to answer drug-related questions; Are the pharmacists friendly and helpful. LOCAL PHARMACIES The most common place for filling a prescription is a local "chain" pharmacy located in a drug or grocery store. Independent pharmacies are also commonly used, but their numbers are decreasing because many find it hard to compete with the grocery and drug chains. Chain pharmacies may have lower prices than an independent, but they are also busier. While lower prices tend to attract more customers, busier pharmacies mean the pharmacist may not be able to spend as much time with each patient for counseling and answering questions. If you belong to an HMO (Health Maintenance Organization), you may be required to use an on-site pharmacy (at the location of the HMO), or the HMO may require you to use certain pharmacies. Your insurance company may have a contract with specific drug or grocery stores or independent pharmacies, which means you must use one of these pharmacies. MAIL-ORDER PHARMACIES Some individuals and some insurance companies have chosen to use mail-order pharmacies. Normally, a prescription is sent to the mail-order pharmacy or phoned in by the physician. It may take a week or more for the prescription to arrive at the home of the patient. Therefore, mail order is best used for long-term medications that treat chronic problems such as high blood pressure and diabetes. Short-term medications such as antibiotics and medications that require storage at specific temperatures should be purchased at a local pharmacy. INTERNET (ONLINE) PHARMACIES Internet pharmacies are another option for long-term medications or buying general pharmacy supplies. The website should clearly explain the steps for filling or transferring a prescription. Make sure that the website has clearly-stated privacy policies and other procedures. AVOID any website that claims a doctor can prescribe the medication without actually seeing you. To assist the pharmacist in filling the prescription, make sure the following information is clearly printed on the prescription: name of the patient, address, phone number, and health care provider's name. A sloppy prescription may not include all of this information, or it may be illegible. When phoning the pharmacy for a refill, the following information is helpful: prescription number, name of medication, and name of the patient. Normally, the busiest times in a pharmacy are at opening, during lunch hour, and immediately after work (3:30 p.m. to about 7:30 p.m. If it is possible to avoid these hours when dropping off or picking up a prescription, your wait may be shorter. It is best to fill all prescriptions with the same pharmacy, so you have an accurate record of what drugs you are currently taking or that you have taken in the past. An accurate drug history allows your pharmacist to more easily check for potentially harmful drug interactions, or interactions that may decrease the effectiveness of your medications. Reviewer: Linda Vorvick, MD, Family Physician, Seattle Site Coordinator, Lecturer, Pathophysiology, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 03/14/2009
Liquid medication administration(Doctor-Reviewed information)
If the medicine comes in suspension form, shake well before using. Do not use silverware spoons for giving medication. They are not all the same size. A silverware teaspoon could be as small as a half teaspoon or as large as 2 teaspoons. Measuring spoons used for cooking are accurate, but they spill easily. Oral syringes have some advantages for giving liquid medications. They are accurate; They are easy to use; A child can take a capped syringe containing a dose of medication to daycare or school. There can be problems with oral syringes, however. The FDA has had reports of young children choking on syringe caps. To be safe, remove the cap before you use an oral syringe. Throw it away if you do not need it for future use. If you need it, keep it out of reach of infants and small children. Dosing cups are also a handy way to give liquid medications. However, dosing errors have occurred with them. Always check to make sure the units (teaspoon, tablespoon, mL, or cc) on the cup or syringe match the units of the dose you want to give. Liquid medications often don't taste good, but many flavors are now available and can be added to any liquid medication. Ask your pharmacist. Unit conversions 1 mL = 1 cc; 2.5 mL = 1/2 teaspoon; 5 mL = 1 teaspoon; 15 mL = 1 tablespoon; 3 teaspoons = 1 tablespoon. Reviewer: Deirdre O?Reilly, MD, MPH, Neonatologist, Division of Newborn Medicine, Children?s Hospital Boston and Instructor in Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts. Review Provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 10/19/2007
Drug-induced diarrhea (1 image)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Drug-induced diarrhea is loose, watery stools caused by certain medications. See also: Diarrhea Reviewer: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and George F. Longstreth, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program, San Diego, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 03/05/2009
Drugs that may cause impotence(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Various medications and recreational drugs can have an affect on sexual arousal and sexual performance. It should be noted that what causes impotence in one man may not affect another. If you think that a medication you are taking is having a negative effect on sexual performance, discuss the matter with your health care provider. NEVER stop taking any medication without first consulting your health care provider, because some medications can produce life-threatening reactions if they are not carefully and slowly stopped or switched appropriately. The following is a list of medications and non-prescription drugs that may cause impotence: Antidepressant and other psychiatric medications: Amitriptyline (Elavil; Amoxapine (Asendin; Buspirone (Buspar; Chlordiazepoxide (Librium; Chlorpromazine (Thorazine; Clomipramine (Anafranil; Clorazepate (Tranxene; Desipramine (Norpramin; Diazepam (Valium; Doxepin (Sinequan; Fluoxetine (Prozac; Fluphenazine (Prolixin; Imipramine (Tofranil; Isocarboxazid (Marplan; Lorazepam (Ativan; Meprobamate (Equanil; Mesoridazine (Serentil; Nortriptyline (Pamelor; Oxazepam (Serax; Phenelzine (Nardil; Phenytoin (Dilantin; Sertraline (Zoloft; Thioridazine (Mellaril; Thiothixene (Navane; Tranylcypromine (Parnate; Trifluoperazine (Stelazine. Antihistamine medications (certain classes of antihistamines are also used to treat heartburn: Cimetidine (Tagamet; Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine; Diphenhydramine (Benadryl; Hydroxyzine (Vistaril; Meclizine (Antivert; Nizatidine (Axid; Promethazine (Phenergan; Ranitidine (Zantac. High blood pressure medicines and diuretics ("water pills: Atenolol (Tenormin; Bethanidine; Bumetanide (Bumex; Captopril (Capoten; Chlorothiazide (Diuril; Chlorthalidone (Hygroton; Clonidine (Catapres; Enalapril (Vasotec; Furosemide (Lasix; Guanabenz (Wytensin; Guanethidine (Ismelin; Guanfacine (Tenex; Haloperidol (Haldol; Hydralazine (Apresoline; Hydrochlorothiazide (Esidrix; Labetalol (Normodyne; Methyldopa (Aldomet; Metoprolol (Lopressor; Minoxidil (Loniten; Nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia; Phenoxybenzamine (Dibenzyline; Phentolamine (Regitine; Prazosin (Minipress; Propranolol (Inderal; Reserpine (Serpasil; Spironolactone (Aldactone; Triamterene (Maxzide; Verapamil (Calan. Among the anti-hypertensive medications, thiazides are the most common cause of ED, followed by beta-blockers. Alpha-blockers are, in general, less likely to cause this problem. Parkinson's disease medications: Benztropine (Cogentin; Biperiden (Akineton; Bromocriptine (Parlodel; Levodopa (Sinemet; Procyclidine (Kemadrin; Trihexyphenidyl (Artane. Chemotherapy and hormonal medications: Antiandrogens (Casodex, Flutamide, Nilutamide; Busulfan (Myleran; Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan; Ketoconazole; LHRH agonists (Lupron, Zoladex. Other medications: Aminocaproic acid (Amicar; Atropine; Clofibrate (Atromid-S; Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril; Cyproterone; Digoxin (Lanoxin; Disopyramide (Norpace; Estrogen; Finasteride (Propecia, Proscar, Avodart; Furazolidone (Furoxone; H2 Blockers (Tagamet, Zantac, Pepcid; Indomethacin (Indocin; Lipid lowering-agents; Licorice; Metoclopramide (Reglan; NSAIDs (Ibuprofen, etc; Orphenadrine (Norflex; Prochlorperazine (Compazine; Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed. Opiate analgesics (painkillers) Codeine; Fentanyl (Innovar; Hydromorphone (Dilaudid; Meperidine (Demerol; Methadone; Morphine; Oxycodone (Oxycontin, Percodan. Recreational drugs: Alcohol; Amphetamines; Barbiturates; Cocaine; Marijuana; Heroin; Nicotine. Reviewer: Justin Harmon, DO, Urologic Surgeon, Private Practice, Urologic Consultants of Southeastern Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 07/22/2008
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