COMMON OTC DRUGS: Some of the most common drugs used as the "Over the Counter medications" include but not limited to analgesics or literally known as pain killers. These drugs are bought and used by clients after having extraneous activities, following toothache and for others, after sensation of fever. Here we have some common drugs including but not limited to; Paracetamol (Panadol), Indomethacin (Indocid), Diclofenac and Ibuprufen among others. We also commonly have clients buy antibiotics of different types and among some of the most common include but not limited to; Metronidazole, Amoxicillin, Artemisinin combination Therapies and others. There is also misuse of peptic ulcer medications such as Omeprazole and antiacids containing magnesium and aluminum and antihistamine.
Such drugs have ever been prescribed to the patient and or, they have been used by the patient for a long period of time. The so called pain killers are used by many people in our communities day to day. These are the likes of Indomethacin, Dicrofenac, Paracetamol or Acetaminophene among others. But the use of these drugs comes at a cost, that they are not the safest chemical to use frequently.
Despite the fact that they may not be the perfect medications to be used for whatever condition the patient may be using them for, there is no thorough evaluation of the patients' condition before their use, and they are normally used in either under or overdose for Un predetermined time.
CONSEQUENCES OF USING OTC: Some of the most common consequences of using on the counter drugs comes as a result of ether underdose and or overdose, irrational prescription, or drug resistance. Let us look at each drug manufactured and marketed to have a predetermined dosage regimen where, you are required to take some amount of the drug in a given time t. Sometimes you notice that depending on the patient's status, the dosage can be adjusted at various degrees making let's say a drug being available in 20mg, 40mg and 45 mg per Kg body weight. It will not be easy for a non medical personnel buying such a drug to notice the different strength, subjecting them to less or more than the actual dose they need. I have discussed a lot about therapeutic window and therapeutic index in the past as you can read about the details from here.
When it comes to irrational prescription, there is a tendency of patients to buy drugs that because their presenting signs and symptom are similar to those that a friend had, and they saw the drug they were given. When it comes to Drug resistance, this is one of the major topics of concern when it come to antimicrobial drug use especially the so called antibiotics. Without a proper laboratory investigation and consultation from a trained medical personnel, there would be no need to take any antibiotic for any anticipated medical condition.
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