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Ch 6 Pharm

Chapter 6: Alternative Therapies and Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medications

Alternative Therapy

  • Definition: Includes herbs and other natural products, often referenced in ancient records.

  • Regulation:

    • Considered dietary supplements.

    • Not controlled or tested by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) like medications.

    • May lead to discoveries of active ingredients later developed into FDA-regulated drugs.

Biological Weapons

  • Definition: Germ warfare using bacteria, viruses, and parasites on a large scale.

  • Purpose: Aim to incapacitate or destroy a population.

Cost Comparison

  • Objective: Compare the relative cost of the same drug from different pharmacies or manufacturers.

  • Benefit: Helps determine costs to consumers.

Self-Care

  • Definition: Patients self-diagnosing and determining their own treatment needs.

Street Drugs

  • Definition: Nonprescription drugs with no known therapeutic use.

  • Purpose: Typically used to enhance mood or increase pleasure.

Key Takeaway

  • Healthcare providers must stay informed to address patient questions and misinformation influenced by advertising, media, and internet sources.

Evaluating Internet Sites

  • Identification of Site Types:

    • .com: Commercial, advertising, selling, or business site.

    • .edu: Educational site from schools or universities.

    • .gov: Government site.

    • .net: Part of a linked network system, potentially includes the above.

    • .org: Sponsored by organizations, including professional, charitable, and educational groups.

Site Evaluation Criteria

  • Navigation: Is the site easy to access and navigate?

  • Contributors: Who created the site? Are they reviewed? What qualifications do they have? Is there feedback interaction?

  • Dates: Is the site updated frequently? When was it last updated?

  • Accuracy/Reliability:

    • Is the information corroborated by other sites?

    • Is it accurate and aligns with other reviewed sources?

    • Are conflicts of interest declared? Is funding transparent?

  • References: Does the site provide references for stated facts?

Key Points on Consumer Information

  • An overwhelming amount of information is readily accessible to consumers.

  • Influences how people approach the healthcare system.

  • Direct-to-consumer advertising, mass media reports, and the internet lead patients to request specific treatments, question therapy, and challenge healthcare providers.

Medications for Nighttime Use

  1. Vicks NyQuil Severe Cold & Flu Nighttime

    • Ingredients: Acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, phenylephrine, doxylamine.

    • Treats: Runny nose, cough, headache, sore throat, aches, fever, sneezing.

  2. Theraflu Nighttime Severe Cold & Cough

    • Ingredients: Acetaminophen, diphenhydramine, phenylephrine.

    • Treats: Nasal congestion, sore throat, cough, sneezing.

Medications for Daytime Use

  1. Vicks DayQuil Severe Cold & Flu

    • Ingredients: Acetaminophen, phenylephrine, dextromethorphan, guaifenesin.

    • Treats: Nasal congestion, fever, sore throat, aches, cough.

  2. Theraflu Daytime Severe Cold & Cough

    • Ingredients: Acetaminophen, phenylephrine, dextromethorphan.

    • Treats: Nasal congestion, sore throat, cough, headache.

  3. Theraflu Multi-Symptom Severe Cold

    • Ingredients: Acetaminophen, phenylephrine, dextromethorphan.

    • Treats: Stuffy head, nasal congestion, sore throat, cough, headache, body aches, fever.

Key Safety Precautions

  • Patients taking multiple OTC medications for cold symptoms risk unintentional overdose.

  • Common Risks:

    • Acetaminophen: Liver toxicity.

    • Phenylephrine: Increased blood pressure or cardiovascular issues.

    • Dextromethorphan: Nervous system toxicity.

Provider Guidance

  • Assess patients using multiple OTC medications for potential overdose.

  • Educate patients to check ingredient labels to avoid duplicating active ingredients.

Conclusion on OTC Drugs

  • OTC drugs are considered safe by the FDA when used as directed and do not require a prescription.

  • OTC drugs can mask signs and symptoms of disease and interact with prescription drugs, leading to toxicity if overdosed.

  • Herbal or alternative therapies, viewed as dietary supplements, lack tight FDA regulation, can produce unexpected effects, interact with prescription drugs, and may contain unknown ingredients affecting their safety and effectiveness.