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Certain medications are available only when a doctor recommends
them. These are called prescription drugs. To obtain these medicines,
a doctor must fill out a form containing the name of the drug and
proper dosage information. The patient can then present the form,
called a prescription, to a pharmacist to obtain the medication.
Prescription drugs should be taken only by the patient for whom
they are prescribed.Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs are medicines available
without a prescription and without doctor's direction. Some medicines
once available only by prescription but are now available in dosages
that can be purchased over-the-counter.
Where can I find over-the-counter drugs?
They can be found in pharmacies, grocery stores,
or discount stores. Some of them are: Advil (ibuprofen) an anti-inflammatory pain
reliever; Benadryl (diphenhydramine) a histamine blocker for allergies;
and Pepcid AC (famotidine) a stomach acid reducer.
Is it cheaper to buy a medication over-the-counter?
Not always. OTC medications are generally not covered by health
insurance plans and can be expensive. It may be easier to buy
OTC medication if you do not have insurance that covers prescriptions.
However, it may not be cheap. Buying store brands and using coupons
may help to cut costs. If your insurance covers prescriptions,
it may cost less to buy medication with a prescription. Getting
a prescription, however, usually requires a visit to the doctor
and may not be as easy as buying an OTC drug.
I have trouble reading the small print on the
box. Is anything being done to change the size of the instructions?
The American Geriatrics Society (AGS) is suggesting to the Food
and Drug Administration (FDA) a requirement that all over-the-counter labels be written in large print and use language that
is easily understood. Because it can be hard to understand the
warnings, the AGS is encouraging manufacturers to make instructions
easier to understand. In particular, this needs to be done with
prescription drugs that are commonly used by older people so that
OTC and prescription products can be used safely. In the meantime,
ask your pharmacist to read or explain instructions that you cannot
read or do not understand.
My doctor warned me about taking certain OTC products.
Do manufacturers list the generic name of the drug on their products?
The generic drug name is not always listed where you can easily
find it. Usually, it is listed in the ingredients section in small
print. The AGS has also asked manufacturers to clearly label the
generic name of the drug, the family of medications it belongs
to, and to list the names of drugs that would have similar effects.
This information will help you avoid taking too much of the same
or similar medications which can cause side effects. For example,
if you are taking Relafen (nabumetone) a prescription for arthritis,
and Advil or Motrin IB, which contain ibuprofen, you could increase
your risk for stomach or kidney trouble. Talk to your doctor or
pharmacist to make sure you are not taking medications that could
cause dangerous interactions.
If a drug is available over-the-counter, does
it have fewer side effects than a prescription drug?
Not always. OTC products still cause side effects, drug interactions,
and disease interactions. These medicines may worsen your condition
or they may cause another drug you are taking to build up in your
body.
Do I need to tell my doctor about my use of OTC
medications and herbal/nutritional supplements?
Yes, it is important to tell your doctor and pharmacist about
your use of these products. These people will be able to help
you choose the right medicine for your condition or symptom. Your
health care providers will also need to check for interactions
with other drugs you may be taking or drugs they are considering
prescribing for you. Sometimes vitamins and supplements interact
with medicine too. You can help your doctor by bringing in all
prescription, OTC, or herbal/nutritional medicines you are taking
to your office visits so problems can be identified and prevented.
Where can I learn more about over-the-counter medications?
For more information about over-the-counter medications, contact
these organizations:
Food and Drug Administration
Office of Consumer Affairs
HFE 88, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857
Phone: 301-827-4420 or 800-532-4440
www.fda.gov
Nonprescription Drug Manufacturers Association
1150 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 1200
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-329-9260
Fax: 202-223-6835
www.ndmainfo.org
The American Geriatrics Society
The Empire State Building
350 Fifth Avenue
Suite 801
New York, NY 10118
212.308.1414
americangeriatrics.org
Some medicines once available only by prescription are now available
in dosages that can be purchased over-the- counter.
