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by Melissa Webb, PharmD, CGP, University
of Kansas Medical Center Center on Aging
Certain medications are
available only when a doctor recommends them. These are called prescription
drugs. To obtain these medicines, a doctor must fill out a form
containing the name of the drug and proper dosage information. The
patient can then present the form, called a prescription, to a pharmacist
to obtain the medication. Prescription drugs should be taken only
by the patient for whom they are prescribed.
Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs are medicines
available without a prescription and without doctor's direction.
Some medicines once available only by prescription but are now
available in dosages that can be purchased over-the-counter.
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Q. Where can I
find over-the-counter drugs?
A. They
can be found in pharmacies, grocery stores, or discount stores.
Some of them are: Advil (ibuprofen) an anti-inflammatory pain
reliever; Benadryl (diphenhydramine) a histamine blocker for
allergies; and Pepcid AC (famotidine) a stomach acid reducer.
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Q. Is it cheaper to
buy a medication over-the-counter?
A. Not always.
OTC medications are generally not covered by health insurance
plans and can be expensive. It may be easier to buy OTC medication
if you do not have insurance that covers prescriptions. However,
it may not be cheap. Buying store brands and using coupons may
help to cut costs. If your insurance covers prescriptions, it
may cost less to buy medication with a prescription. Getting a
prescription, however, usually requires a visit to the doctor
and may not be as easy as buying an OTC drug.
Q. I have trouble reading
the small print on the box. Is anything being done to change the
size of the instructions?
A. The American
Geriatrics Society (AGS) is suggesting to the Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) a requirement that all over-the-counter labels be written
in large print and use language that is easily understood. Because
it can be hard to understand the warnings, the AGS is encouraging
manufacturers to make instructions easier to understand. In particular,
this needs to be done with prescription drugs that are commonly
used by older people so that OTC and prescription products can
be used safely. In the meantime, ask your pharmacist to read or
explain instructions that you cannot read or do not understand.
Q. My doctor warned
me about taking certain OTC products. Do manufacturers list the
generic name of the drug on their products?
A. The generic
drug name is not always listed where you can easily find it. Usually,
it is listed in the ingredients section in small print. The AGS
has also asked manufacturers to clearly label the generic name
of the drug, the family of medications it belongs to, and to list
the names of drugs that would have similar effects. This information
will help you avoid taking too much of the same or similar medications
which can cause side effects. For example, if you are taking Relafen
(nabumetone) a prescription for arthritis, and Advil or Motrin
IB, which contain ibuprofen, you could increase your risk for
stomach or kidney trouble. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist to
make sure you are not taking medications that could cause dangerous
interactions.
Q. If a drug is available
over-the-counter, does it have fewer side effects than a prescription
drug?
A. Not always.
OTC products still cause side effects, drug interactions, and
disease interactions. These medicines may worsen your condition
or they may cause another drug you are taking to build up in your
body.
Q. Do I need to tell
my doctor about my use of OTC medications and herbal/nutritional
supplements?
A. Yes, it
is important to tell your doctor and pharmacist about your use
of these products. These people will be able to help you choose
the right medicine for your condition or symptom. Your health
care providers will also need to check for interactions with other
drugs you may be taking or drugs they are considering prescribing
for you. Sometimes vitamins and supplements interact with medicine
too. You can help your doctor by bringing in all prescription,
OTC, or herbal/nutritional medicines you are taking to your office
visits so problems can be identified and prevented.
Q. Where can I learn
more about over-the-counter medications?
A. For more
information about over-the-counter medications, contact these
organizations:
Food and Drug Administration
Office of Consumer Affairs
HFE 88, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857
Phone: 301-827-4420 or 800-532-4440
www.fda.gov
Nonprescription Drug Manufacturers Association
1150 Connecticut Avenue, NW
Suite 1200
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-329-9260
Fax: 202-223-6835
www.ndmainfo.org
The American Geriatrics Society
The Empire State Building
350 Fifth Avenue
Suite 801
New York, NY 10118
212.308.1414
www.americangeriatrics.org
Some medicines once available only by prescription
are now available in dosages that can be purchased over-the-counter.
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