Common Over-the-Counter Medications Flashcards

A set of vocabulary flashcards describing common active ingredients, drug classes, and indications for over-the-counter medications used for cough, cold, allergies, and heartburn.

Drug Facts label

The section of an OTC medication package that specifies the active ingredients and the symptoms the product is intended to treat.

Guaifenesin

A pharmacologic class of expectorant used to treat a productive cough.

Dextromethorphan

A pharmacologic class of antitussive used to treat a dry cough.

Chlorpheniramine

An antihistamine used for sneezing and runny nose; it has moderate anticholinergic effects and low sedative effects.

Phenylephrine

A decongestant used to treat nasal congestion.

Acetaminophen

An analgesic and antipyretic used to treat pain and fever.

Ibuprofen

An NSAID and antipyretic used to treat pain and fever.

$H1$ receptors

Receptors that act on smooth muscle contractions and the dilation of capillaries.

$H2$ receptors

Receptors that play a role in gastric acid secretion.

Antihistamine

A term referencing drugs that block $H1$ receptors by competing with histamines found within the body.

$H2$ blockers

Alternative name for drugs that block $H2$ receptors.

Anticholinergic effects

Effects that occur when a drug blocks acetylcholine at its receptor site, including dry mouth, dry eyes, blurred vision, trouble urinating, and constipation.

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)

An antihistamine with high anticholinergic and sedative effects used for common cold symptoms, insomnia, and nausea.

Fexofenadine (Allegra)

A longer-acting antihistamine with low to none anticholinergic and sedative effects.

Loratadine (Claritin)

A longer-acting antihistamine with low anticholinergic and low to no sedative effects.

Nasal Steroids

A classification of medications used for allergies that recently became OTC; examples include fluticasone (Flonase) and triamcinolone acetonide (Nasocort).

Antacids

A class of drugs such as Tums, Gaviscon, milk of magnesia, and Maalox that work by neutralizing gastric acidity.

H2 Receptor Blockers

Drugs that competitively block the $H2$ receptors in acid-producing cells in the stomach, such as cimetidine (Tagamet) and famotidine (Pepcid).

Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs)

Drugs such as omeprazole (Prilosec) and esomeprazole (Nexium) that bind to the proton pump responsible for the secretion of gastric acid.

Esomeprazole (Nexium)

A common Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI) that became available without a prescription in $2014$.