Prescription Medicines

• Prescription drugs


  • Prescribed by a doctor
  • Bought at a pharmacy
  • Regulated by FDA through the New Drug Application (NDA) process
• OTC drugs


  • Drugs that do NOT require a doctor's prescription
  • OTCs can be shared by friends and family
  • Bought off-the-shelf in stores
  • Regulated by FDA through OTC Drug monographs
• Some Commonly Prescribed Drugs in the Philippines

  • VICODIN (HYDROCODONE/ACETAMINOPHEN)
  • SIMVASTATIN (GENERIC FOR ZOCOR)
  • LISINOPRIL (GENERIC FOR PRINIVIL OR ZESTRIL)
  • LEVOTHYROXINE (GENERIC FOR SYNTHROID)
  • AZITHROMYCIN (GENERIC FOR ZITHROMAX, Z-PAK)
  • METFORMIN (GENERIC FOR GLUCOPHAGE)
  • LIPITOR (ATORVASTATIN)
  • AMLODIPINE (GENERIC FOR NORVASC)
  • AMOXICILLIN
  • HYDROCHLOROTHIAZIDE
• VICODIN


  • Popular drug for treating acute or chronic moderate to moderately severe pain
  • Side effects: lightheadedness, dizziness, sedation, nausea, vomiting
  • Can reduce breathing, impair thinking, reduce physical abilities, and is habit forming
• SIMVASTATIN


  • One of the first "statins" (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors) approved for treating high cholesterol and reducing the risk of stroke, death from heart disease, and risk of heart attacks
  • Side effects: headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, muscle pain, muscle breakdown
• LISINOPRIL


  • Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor used for treating high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, and for preventing kidney failure caused by high blood pressure and diabetes
  • Side effects: dizziness, nausea, headaches, drowsiness, sexual dysfunction, dry cough
• LEVOTHYROXINE


  • Man-made version of thyroid hormone, used for treating hypothyroidism
  • Side effects: chest pain, increased heart rate, excessive sweating, heat intolerance, nervousness, headache, weight loss
• AZITHROMYCIN


  • Antibiotic used for treating ear, throat, and sinus infections as well as pneumonia, bronchitis, and some sexually transmitted diseases
  • Side effects: loose stools, nausea, stomach pain, vomiting, abnormal liver tests, allergic reactions, abnormal heart beats
• METFORMIN


  • Used alone or in combination with other drugs for treating type 2 diabetes in adults and children
  • Side effects: nausea, vomiting, gas, bloating, diarrhea, loss of appetite
• LIPITOR


  • Statin (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor) approved for treating high cholesterol, preventing chest pain, stroke, heart attack in individuals with coronary artery disease
  • Side effects: constipation, diarrhea, fatigue, gas, heartburn, headache, muscle pain, muscle breakdown
• AMLODIPINE


  • Calcium channel blocker used for treating high blood pressure and for treatment and prevention of chest pain
  • Side effects: headache, swelling of the lower extremities, dizziness, flushing, fatigue, nausea, palpitations
• AMOXICILLIN


  • Penicillin type antibiotic used for treating several types of bacterial infections
  • Side effects: diarrhea, heartburn, nausea, itching, vomiting, confusion, abdominal pain, rash, allergic reactions
• HYDROCHLOROTHIAZIDE


  • Diuretic (water pill) used alone or combined with other drugs for treating high blood pressure
  • Side effects: weakness, low blood pressure, light sensitivity, impotence, nausea, abdominal pain, electrolyte disturbances, rash
• Medicine Cabinet Essentials (Home Pharmacy OTC Drugs)

  • ACETAMINOPHEN
  • Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
  • DEXTROMETHORPHAN
  • GUAIFENESIN
  • ORAL DECONGESTANTS
  • NASAL SPRAY DECONGESTANTS
  • DIPHENHYDRAMINE (BENADRYL)
  • CALCIUM CARBONATE
  • Medications for Constipation
  • LOPERAMIDE (Imodium A-D)
• ACETAMINOPHEN


  Most recommended OTC medication for fever, works well for minor aches and pains, especially for people who cannot tolerate anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen or aspirin
• Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)


  Many available over-the-counter to treat inflammation, fever, and pain, often recommended by health care practitioners to decrease pain and inflammation from minor orthopedic injuries
• DEXTROMETHORPHAN


  Over-the-counter product used to control cough, usually found as one of many ingredients in cough syrups and cold medications
• GUAIFENESIN


  Expectorant that loosens mucus in the bronchi or large breathing tubes, may initially cause more coughing to remove the mucus but will then decrease the cough intensity and frequency as the mucus is cleared out
• ORAL DECONGESTANTS


  Come in either pill or liquid form and act by shrinking engorged blood vessels in the nasal and sinus passages, often contain pseudoephedrine which is an adrenaline like drug
• NASAL SPRAY DECONGESTANTS


  Act similarly to oral decongestants but have the advantage of acting only in the area applied, usually without the stimulant side effects, can cause a "rebound" effect if used for more than 3 days
• DIPHENHYDRAMINE (BENADRYL)


  Antihistamine used to treat the symptoms of sneezing, runny nose, and watery eyes, major side effect is drowsiness or sleepiness
• CALCIUM CARBONATE, ALUMINUM HYDROXIDE, MAGNESIUM HYDROXIDE


  Antacids that work immediately to relieve acid indigestion and heartburn, available in both chewable tablets and liquid forms, aluminum based may cause constipation, magnesium based may cause diarrhea
• Medications for Constipation


  OTC medications include glycerin suppositories, bisacodyl (Correctol, Dulcolax), calcium docusate (Colace, Surfak), and Senna (Ex-lax, Senokot), laxative dependence is a problem that may occur with laxative use
• LOPERAMIDE (Imodium A-D)


  Often recommended as an OTC medication for the treatment of diarrhea, but should be stopped if constipation, ileus, fever, or bloating occurs
• Medicare Safety Net (MSN): A safety net that protects patients from excessive out-of-pocket costs on medicines listed on the PBS.
• Pharmacy Board of Australia (PBA): The PBA registers, regulates and disciplines pharmacists to ensure they meet standards of practice.
• Repatriation Pharmacy Program provides free prescriptions to eligible veterans, war widows/widowers, and dependents.
• Medicare Safety Net protects patients from excessive out-of-pocket costs by providing additional benefits once certain thresholds are reached.
• The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) is an Australian government program that provides subsidies on prescription medicines.
• Prescription drugs can sometimes cause gastrointestinal issues like diarrhea or constipation.
• Certain prescription medications may also lead to allergic reactions, such as skin rashes or difficulty breathing.
• Some common side effects of prescription medicines include nausea, dizziness, and drowsiness.
• The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) is the professional association representing pharmacists.