Chapter 2

• DIFFERENCES BETWEEN OTCM & PM.

  • OTC Medicines: Over-the-counter medications are available without a prescription and can be purchased directly by consumers from pharmacies, grocery stores, or other retail outlets. They are typically used to treat minor ailments, symptoms, or conditions that do not require the supervision of a healthcare provider.
• Prescription Medicines: Prescription medications require a written or electronic order from a licensed healthcare provider, such as a physician or nurse practitioner. They are dispensed by pharmacists and are used to treat more serious or complex medical conditions that necessitate professional oversight, monitoring, or dosage adjustment.
• 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 (Hydrocodone/Acetaminophen): Vicodin is like a medicine for very strong pain. It has two parts: hydrocodone, which helps stop the pain, and acetaminophen, which helps reduce or treat inflammation or fever.
• Simvastatin (Generic for Zocor): Simvastatin is a medicine that helps keep your heart healthy by lowering cholesterol, which is like the grease in your body's pipes. It makes sure your pipes stay clear so your heart can pump blood easily.
• Lisinopril (Generic for Prinivil or Zestril): Lisinopril is like a helper for your heart and blood vessels. It helps relax your blood vessels or lower your blood pressure so that blood can flow smoothly and your heart doesn't have to work too hard.
• Levothyroxine (Generic for Synthroid): Levothyroxine is a medicine for people whose thyroid glands don't work well. It gives your body a hormone it needs to have energy, grow, and stay healthy.
• Azithromycin (Generic for Zithromax, Z-Pak): Azithromycin is like an army fighting off bad germs in your body that make you sick. It's used to treat infections like those in your throat or lungs.
• Metformin (Generic for Glucophage): Metformin is a medicine for people with too much sugar in their blood, like when they have diabetes. It helps the body use sugar better and keeps blood sugar levels from getting too high.
• Lipitor (Atorvastatin): Lipitor is another medicine that helps lower cholesterol in your blood. By keeping your cholesterol levels in check, it helps protect your heart from problems.
• Amlodipine (Generic for Norvasc): Amlodipine is like a traffic manager for your blood vessels. It helps them relax so that blood can flow more easily, which keeps your blood pressure from getting too high.
• Amoxicillin: Amoxicillin is an antibiotic, which is like a superhero that fights off infections caused by bacteria. It's used to treat many types of infections, like those in your ears, throat, or skin.
• Hydrochlorothiazide: Hydrochlorothiazide is like a sponge for your body, helping it get rid of extra salt and water. By doing this, it helps lower your blood pressure and reduces swelling.
• SOME COMMONLY PRESCRIBED DRUGS IN THE PHILIPPINES

  • 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: This is like a superhero for headaches, fevers, and pains. It helps to make you feel better when you're not feeling well.
• . Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs): These are like warriors against pain and inflammation, like when you hurt your muscles or have a sore throat. They can include medicines like ibuprofen or aspirin.
• Dextromethorphan: Think of this as a quieting potion for coughs. It helps calm down that annoying cough so you can sleep better at night.
• Guaifenesin: This is like a helper for your chest when you're all stuffed up. It loosens up the mucus in your chest; bronchi, making it easier to cough it out
• Oral Decongestants: These are like magic for stuffy noses. They help open up your nose so you can breathe easier when you have a cold or allergies.
• Nasal Spray Decongestants: Similar to oral decongestants, but in spray form. They work directly in your nose to clear up congestion quickly
• Diphenhydramine (Benadryl): This is like a sleepy potion for when allergies or itchiness keep you awake at night. It helps you relax and sleep better because it treats symptoms of sneezing and runny nose.
• Calcium Carbonate: It's like a shield for your tummy. It helps neutralize stomach acid and can help with heartburn or indigestion.
• Medications for Constipation: These are like helpers for when your tummy feels blocked up. They help get things moving smoothly again.
• Loperamide (Imodium A-D): Imagine this as a traffic controller for your intestines. It helps slow down your bowel movements when you have diarrhea, so you don't have to go to the bathroom so often.
• USING MEDICINES PROPERLY IS SUPER IMPORTANT FOR STAYING HEALTHY AND GETTING THE BEST RESULTS. HERE'S A GUIDE TO HELP:

  1. Read the Label
  2. Follow the Instructions
  3. Use the Right Dose
  4. Don't Mix Medicines Unless Advised
  5. Finish the Prescription
  6. Store Properly
  7. Dispose of Properly
  8. Keep Track
  9. Ask Questions
• 2. Follow the Instructions: Take the medicine exactly as directed. If it says to take it with food or water, make sure you do that. If it says to take it at a certain time of day, try to stick to that schedule.
• 1. Read the Label: Always start by reading the label on the medicine bottle or box. It tells you important things like how much to take, when to take it, and if there are any special instructions.
• 3. Use the Right Dose: Pay attention to how much medicine you're supposed to take. Use a measuring tool if needed, like a medicine cup or spoon, to get the right amount.
• 4. Don't Mix Medicines Unless Advised: Some medicines don't play well together and can cause problems if taken at the same time. Always check with a doctor or pharmacist before combining different medicines.
• 5. Finish the Prescription: If the medicine is prescribed for a certain number of days, make sure you take it for the full duration, even if you start feeling better. This helps make sure the infection or condition is completely gone.
• 6. Store Properly: Keep medicines in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and out of reach of children. Some medicines need to be stored in the fridge, so check the label for specific instructions.
• 7. Dispose of Properly: When you're done with a medicine or it's expired, don't just toss it in the trash. Follow local guidelines for safe disposal, which may involve taking it to a pharmacy or using a drug take-back program.
• 8. Keep Track: If you're taking multiple medicines, it can be helpful to keep a record of what you're taking and when. This can help prevent accidental double-dosing or missing a dose.
• 9. Ask Questions: If you're not sure about something, don't be afraid to ask your doctor or pharmacist. They're there to help you understand how to use your medicines safely and effectively.
• PRESCRIPTION DRUG MISUSE POSES SIGNIFICANT RISKS DUE TO SEVERAL FACTORS:

  • Personal Information
  • Form and Dose
  • Side Effects
• Personal Information:

  • Health practitioners consider various factors such as weight, duration of prescription, existing medical conditions, and concurrent medications before prescribing drugs.
  • Misuse of prescription drugs can lead to overdosing or risky drug interactions, potentially resulting in severe consequences like seizures, coma, or death.
• Form and Dose:

  • Doctors are aware of the pharmacokinetics of drugs, including how they dissolve, enter the bloodstream, and affect the brain.
  • Misuse often involves taking drugs in higher doses or altering their administration methods, which can lead to rapid drug delivery and increase the risk of overdose.
  • For instance, crushing and inhaling OxyContin® tablets bypasses the extended-release mechanism, causing a rapid influx of the drug into the central nervous system and increasing the likelihood of addiction and overdose.
• Side Effects:

  • Prescription medications are designed to treat specific conditions but can have unpleasant or harmful side effects
  • Misuse, including not following prescribed dosages or combining medications with other substances, can exacerbate side effects.
  • Serious consequences may occur when side effects are intensified, leading to complications beyond the intended therapeutic effects.
• HOW PRESCRIPTION DRUGS ARE MISUSED

  • Taking a prescription medication in a manner that is not recommended, such as taking a higher dosage or taking it more often, or grinding pills into powder to snort or inject the medication.
• BEAR IN MIND THAT THERE ARE STILL DANGERS ASSOCIATED WITH TAKING OVER-THE-COUNTER MEDICATIONS:

  • Many medications are unsafe to take while pregnant. If you're expecting a child, talk to your doctor before taking any medications
  • When giving medicines to infants, use caution. Ascertain that your child receives the proper dosage. Do not use a kitchen spoon to administer liquid medicine to your kids. Instead, use a diteaspoon-marked measuring spoon or a dosing cup.