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. OVE...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 storageReviewer: 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 medic...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...Reviewer: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc. Date: 11/02/2009
Drug-induced diarrhea (1 image)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Drug-induced diarrhea is loose, watery stools caused by certain medications. See also: DiarrheaReviewer: 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 nega...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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