Over-the-counter (OTC) medications are those that can be purchased without a prescription and are used to treat conditions such as the common cold and cough, heartburn, constipation, diarrhea, headaches, etc.
They are readily available in pharmacies, online retailers, convenience stores, etc., and are safe to use if the instructions printed on the back are followed.
However, for certain groups of people, such as pregnant women, children, and those with co-morbidities such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
There are some safety rules that everyone should follow when taking OTC medications, and they are:
1. Read the label
For starters, always read the label on the medicine. Note the active ingredients, expiration date, caution note, directions or instructions on how and when to take the medicine, and its strength.
2. Know the side effects.
Sometimes these drugs may have a package insert on possible side effects, details about how the drug interacts with other drugs that may be used regularly, and how to store it. It is also important to ensure that the packaging is intact and has not been tampered with.
3. Avoid self-medication.
Do not attempt to self-medicate with OTC medications for anything other than common urinary tract infections, mild respiratory infections, or minor skin infections. Be extra careful and seek medical help if you already have a chronic immune condition, diabetes, cancer, are on chemotherapy, or have been hospitalized in the past three months. A medical professional will assess the need for antibiotics and make an informed decision about the correct course of antibiotics depending on the source of the infection, route of administration (oral, topical, or injectable), and Possible side effects and will inform you. Interactions with food and other drugs.
4. Take only immediately
Limit the use of OTC medications and take them only when absolutely necessary. Antibiotics like Azithromycin and Doxycycline, two of the most abused drugs in this category, are used by a majority of the Indian population to treat conditions such as colds and coughs. However, colds and coughs are usually caused by viral infections that cannot be cured with antibiotics.
5. Don't take the wrong medicine.
Misuse of antibiotics can make them less effective and in some cases completely ineffective. Moreover, anything the body gets (unintentionally) has side effects such as changes in the gut microbiome, gastrointestinal disorders, etc.
Follow these steps if you are taking an OTC aA.
Always inform your physician if you are taking any OTC medications, as these medications may interact with your prescription medications and cause adverse events. The doctor will also be able to determine if the OTC medication you take may be causing your health problems due to an underlying condition. For example, a very common pain reliever such as diclofenac, which falls under the category of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), may increase the risk of renal failure in a patient with normal kidney function. is not
Remember to seek professional medical help when recovery does not occur after a short course of OTC antibiotics, as these are less potent than prescription antibiotics. In such cases, continued treatment may not be beneficial and may lead to antibiotic resistance.