Over-The-Counter Drug Info Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering common nonprescription OTC drugs, mechanisms of action, adverse risks, and special patient population considerations for heartburn, GERD, constipation, nausea, and vomiting.

Alginic Acid

An active component found in most antacids that forms a 'raft' on top of stomach contents to protect the esophagus.

Histamine 2 Receptor Antagonists (H2RAs)

Nonprescription heartburn medications that reversibly bind to H2 receptors on parietal cells to block histamine and decrease stomach acid production, with an onset of 30 to 45 minutes.

Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs)

Nonprescription heartburn medications that irreversibly bind to the proton pump to turn off acid production, with an onset of 2 to 3 hours and full relief taking up to 1 to 4 days.

Antacids

Nonprescription heartburn medications that directly neutralize existing acid in the stomach by binding to $HCl$, with an onset of $< 5\,\text{minutes}$.

Famotidine

A nonprescription H2RA used to treat heartburn that requires a renal dose adjustment in patients with renal dysfunction or those on dialysis.

Bulk Forming Laxatives

Laxatives (such as methylcellulose, polycarbophil, and psyllium) that absorb water into the colon, increasing stool bulk to stimulate peristalsis ('push').

Hyperosmotic Agents

Constipation treatments (such as PEG 3350 and glycerin) containing molecules that absorb water into the colon to expand space ('push').

Emollient Agents

Stool softeners (such as docusate sodium and docusate calcium) that increase the water absorbed into the stool ('mush').

Mineral Oil

A lubricant laxative that coats stool in oil to retain water; avoided whenever possible due to risks like lipid pneumonia.

Saline Laxatives

Laxatives (such as magnesium citrate and magnesium hydroxide) that draw water into the intestines to increase pressure and promote movement ('push').

Stimulant Agents

Laxatives (such as senna and bisacodyl) that stimulate nerves in the intestinal wall to force bowel movement ('push').

Castor Oil

A nonprescription constipation agent that is avoided and not medically used.

Lipid Pneumonia

A serious pulmonary complication caused by the aspiration of oral mineral oil into the lungs.

Phosphorated Carbohydrate Solution (PCS)

A nonprescription local-acting GI agent used for nausea from overeating or eating disagreeable foods, limited to no more than 4 doses in 1 hour.

Bismuth Subsalicylate (BSS)

A nonprescription drug for nausea and vomiting that reacts with $HCl$ in the stomach, known to cause harmless black stools and black tongue.

Vomiting Center (VC)

The central neural control structure located in the medulla oblongata that acts as the command center for incoming nausea and vomiting stimuli.

Chemoreceptor Trigger Zone (CTZ)

A sensory area in the brain ('chemical detective') that monitors stimuli from blood or CSF and signals the vomiting center across the blood-brain barrier.

Vestibular Apparatus

An inner ear apparatus that tracks motion and body position, transmitting signals through the cerebellum to the vomiting center.

Visceral Afferent Nerves

GI tract nerves that send signals to the brain using neurotransmitters when an abnormality, such as a virus, is detected.

Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6)

A water-soluble vitamin used alone or with doxylamine as a primary nonprescription treatment for nausea and vomiting in pregnancy.

Doxylamine

An antihistamine used in combination with pyridoxine to treat pregnancy-induced nausea and vomiting, with an onset of 30 minutes.

Anticholinergic Toxicity

A clinical presentation resulting from overdose or adverse effects of first-generation antihistamines, described as 'red as a beet, dry as a bone, hot as a hare, blind as a bat, mad as a hatter, full as a flask'.

Docusate Sodium

An emollient stool softener that serves as the first-choice laxative option for children aged 2 to 12 years old.

Meclizine

A first-generation antihistamine used to prevent or treat motion sickness, featuring an onset of 60 minutes and a duration of 24 hours.