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Little known Facts about OTC medications

What is the difference between prescription and OTC medications?

The biggest difference between Prescription and OTC medications is that Prescription medications are controlled substances. In order to get a prescription medication you need to get a doctor referral. Prescription medicines also need to be picked up at a pharmacy, where as OTC medications can easily be picked off of a shelf at a convenience store.

Are Prescription medications and OTC medications regulated differently.

Prescription medications are regulated through the FDA. The FDA checks the prescription by making it go through the NDA process of revealing all data on human and animal testing. OTC medications are regulated by the FDA through monographs. These monographs give information such as the ingredients and the recommended dosage.

How are OTCs abused?

There are many different levels to abuse. For OTC medications abuse starts when you take to much of the medication in to close of a time period. After people take to much of the medication they begin to take it to get high or feel numb. Lastly people mix different medications to create new products.

What are the two most abused OTC medications?

The two most abused OTC medications are Dextromethorphan and Loperamide. Dextromeromethorphan is a cough syrup and Loperamide is an anti-diarrheal but these products are ofen misued because people do not read the dosage for their age group.

What happens when you overdose?

Overdosing occurs when someone takes so much of a medicine the they have a life threatening reaction. When someone overdoses they slow their breathing or just completely stop breathing all together. This can lead to brain damage and Hypoxia.

What are the withdrawal effects of OTC/Opioid medications?

There are over 14 different symptoms of withdrawal. Some of these symptoms include

muscle and bone pain
sleep problems
diarrhea and vomiting
cold flashes with goose bumps
uncontrollable leg movement
severe cravings.

These are only a few of the symptoms, but there are many more.

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