Over The Counter Drugs: How To Safely Choose The Right Medication

What Medication Can Cure Me?

1. Am I expecting a cure? Some medications relieve symptoms ? that is, they stop the itching, pain, redness, etc ? but do not actually get to the source of the illness. Some illnesses, like the common cold, can't be treated/cured, so looking for an OTC drug may be a waste of time; getting rest and drinking fluids may be a better way to spend your afternoon! Other things, like yeast infections, can be treated by over the counter medications; if the infection is making you uncomfortable as well as needing treatment, make sure that you pick a product that gives you both symptomatic relief and treatment.

Is It Safe For Your Child?

2. Is it for your child? If so make sure that you're getting a drug that can be given to children. Some drugs that help adults can be dangerous for children; others need to be given at a special dosage. Read the fine print on the box before buying for your child.

What About Interactions With Other Drugs?

3. What else am I taking? If you're on any other medications, whether over-the-counter or prescription, stop by the pharmacist's desk before heading to the check-out counter. She can check to make sure that the drugs you are taking don't change the effect of the drugs you are taking.

Wait... Shouldn't My Illness Be Over Already?

4. Should my illness have ended by now? If you think you have something that has a natural lifecycle - that is, something like a cold that should end on its own - but you don't feel better after that time is up, you may have misdiagnosed your illness. If you're having to take pain-reliever nonstop to keep functioning, your body is trying to tell you something and you should listen. What feels like a cold might be bronchitis; that achy foot may require orthotics, not aspirin.

Long Term Medication Use

5. Is it a chronic problem? If you're having to take over-the-counter medications over a long period of time to prevent symptoms, it is time for your health care practitioner to find out what the underlying cause is. Even something as simple as scaly skin may be a warning sign that you're developing diabetes. And some relatively harmless medications can have serious long-term consequences; for example, some over the counter pain medications can cause stomach bleeding if you take them for a long time. If you're taking an OTC medication constantly to reduce long-term discomfort, talk to your health care provider to make sure that a) you're not missing something important and b) that if it's a chronic problem, you're taking medication that your body can handle chronically.

Compare Ingredients

6. What's the active ingredient? If the same active ingredient is found in both the name brand and the generic, chances are they will have the same effect.

Pregnant Or Breast Feeding?

7. If you're pregnant or nursing, check with your physician before taking ANY medication, including OTC drugs and alternative products (such as herbal remedies). Some drugs can cross the placenta or through the milk glands, giving your fetus or baby a whopping dose of medication. While the medication might be fine for you, it may not be fine for your baby.

Watch Out For Alcohol

8. Does the medication contain alcohol? If it does, it's probably going to make you sleepy, it will probably make you feel dehydrated, and adding more alcohol on top of it can be dangerous.

Double-Doses: Be Careful!

9. Am I doubling up? If you're taking more than one over-the-counter medication, make sure that they don't have the same ingredients; if they do, you might be doubling the recommended dose of that medication and setting yourself up for unpleasant side effects. This is a particular problem when you take something that combats multiple symptoms of an illness (like "flu" medications that relieve pain, fever, stuffy nose, and sore throat) - often they contain multiple active ingredients, one of which may overlap with another medication (like a pain killer) that you're taking

Side Effects And Allergies

10. Check the label for side effects and symptoms of allergic reaction. If side effects include drowsiness and you drive a truck or care for several active toddlers, this medication might not be right for you. Similarly, if you start running a fever or develop a rash, having read the label ahead of time will help you know if you need to stop the medication and call a doctor to avert a full-blown allergic attack.

Copyright (C) Shoppe.MD and Ian Mason, 2004-2005

Ian Mason, owner of Shoppe.MD, your source for Online Prescription Medications, drug information and support forums.

Ian is a fat-to-fit student of health, weight loss, exercise, and several martial arts; maintaining several websites in an effort to help provide up-to-date and helpful information for other who share his interests in health of body and mind.

---

Resperate or RESPeRATE - this device controls blood pressure however you spell it!

Resperate is natural and powerful and it puts you in control of your blood pressure.Resperate is a new device and is revolutionising the nature of blood pressure... Read More

Common Drugs and Their Uses

The five drugs that are discussed in this article are Ibuprofen which is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is commonly used for relief of Arthritis, Warfarin... Read More

What is Bextra? (FDA Recalled Drug)

Bextra, also known as valdecoxib, is a prescribed medication used to alleviate the problems associated with arthritis and other inflammation-related conditions. The drug helps reduce the pain... Read More

A Closer Look at Lower Back Pain Relief

As many as 8 out of 10 adults will experience back pain in their lifetime, and most of them will feel it in their lower back. When... Read More

The Controversy of Viagra® (Sildenafil Citrate), Other ED Medications, and Their Generic Counterpart

There has definitely been a good deal of controversy over Viagra®, it's use and more recently, it's side effects among some unfortunate patients however, apart from the... Read More

Lamictal Rash Lawyer

Lamictal, or lamotrigine, is an anti-seizure medication that has been prescribed to treat epileptic seizures for about 10 years. In addition to its mood stabilizing effects, Lamictal... Read More

Chicago Drug Rehab: Long Term Help For a Real Recovery

The central location of the city of Chicago has made it a hub for the distribution of drugs in the Midwest, though much of the problem remains... Read More

Bextra and Vioxx -- Tips for Arthritis Relief Without Them

The recent withdrawal of Vioxx and Bextra from the marketplace, due to concerns over unwanted side effects, has many arthritis sufferers concerned. These drugs, which belong to... Read More

Integrative Medicine And Its Future

The NBC National News, quoted the Washington Post in March 2000 about the concerns that the FDA had over the mixing of supplements and conventional medications. There... Read More

I Hurt All Over... How to Ease Away the Pain of Fibromyalgia!

At one moment, a life of activity consumed with enjoyable activities like biking, golfing, going to the movies, out to dinner. Then one day, it's gone. Replaced... Read More

Ulcers Are No Laughing Matter

Peptic ulcers, which are in the stomach and the duodenum (the first part of the intestine leading from the stomach) can occur at any age and affect... Read More

A Compelling Look at Pain Relief

If your back aches when you're loading groceries in the car or your hands cramp up with arthritis when you sit down at the computer, you're not... Read More

Cetyl Myristoleate for Arthrtis: Science or Speculation

There are a lot of fabulous stories about Cetyl Myristoleate (also known as CMO or CM) floating across the Internet. Mine is one of them. There have... Read More

Comfortable, Affordable Lab Coats for the Health Care Professional

When a health care professional uses lab coats it conveys several different messages. First, lab coats give an appearance of professionalism. It's very important in the health... Read More

Lunesta FAQ: Things To Know Before You Buy Lunesta Online

When was the last time you enjoyed a good night's sleep? I'm talking about feeling tired, heavy, and relaxed - the times when you might say "wow!... Read More

UltraCET: The Dynamic Duo Of Prescription Pain Control Medications

Remember the last time you stubbed your toe? OUCH! It's painful. But a stubbed toe usually doesn't send us running to the medicine cabinet, since we know... Read More

Contact Lenses and Eye Glasses, How is Your Vision?

Notice friends getting contact lenses and pulling out eye glasses?"What do you recommend?"I find myself asking people what looks good to them, what do they recommend or... Read More

Amazing Shoulder Pain Reversing Secrets!

Whether you're a weekend athlete, or a gardener that overdid it, or a person with arthritis, there's hope for you. According to Dr. Nathan Wei, Clinical Director... Read More

Stopping Hospital Infections

Each year hospitals end up killing twice as many people than automobiles, some 90,000 deaths in the United States. It is not from malpractice, it is due... Read More

Generating Pharmaceutical Sales before Marketing Authorization

When a patient has a serious illness and there is no approved drug available, the physician may want to try one which has not been authorized for... Read More

Strong Pain Relief - Powerful & Effective Natural Pain Management Alternative

The recent removal of several high profile and popular prescription pain medications of the same pharmaceutical family, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories, from the buyer's market has left many people... Read More

Top Five FAQs About Nail Fungus

What is nail fungus?Nail fungus, also known as Onychomycosis, is an organism which digests the keratin found in your fingernails and toenails. The fingernail and toenail are... Read More

Alcohol Rehabilitation Centers - Take An Informed Decision

Alcohol rehabilitation centers in the United States offer a wide range of treatment programmes for your recovery from alcoholism.They provide services such as detoxification, residential treatment, day... Read More

Health Needs of Survivors of Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is not over when the victim is safe and out of harm's way. It's not over until justice has been served. Even then, it's not... Read More

ADHD - Are there Treatment Options?

As an ADD coach I am often asked about the treatment options available for Attention Deficit Disorder. Generally when someone says "ADD" the first thing that will... Read More

Environmental Medicine

Our modern preservatives and other pollutants like yellow dye no. 5 have caused bodily responses which detract or impair the natural process of our system. It is... Read More