Define otc medication

In addition to the substances such as aspirin and acetaminophen that people typically think of as OTC drugs, many other commonly available products are considered OTC drugs by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Some toothpastes, some mouthwashes, some types of eye drops, wart removers, first aid creams and ointments that contain antibiotics, and even dandruff shampoos are considered OTC drugs. Each country establishes which drugs are available OTC in that country. Some OTC drugs were originally available only by prescription. After many years of use under prescription regulation, drugs with excellent safety records may be approved by the FDA for over-the-counter sale. The analgesic ibuprofen and the heartburn remedy famotidine are examples of such drugs. Often, the OTC version has a substantially lower amount of active ingredient in each tablet, capsule, or caplet than does the prescription drug. When establishing appropriate doses of OTC drugs, manufacturers and the FDA try to balance Drug Effectiveness and Safety The main goals of drug development are demonstrating the effectiveness and safety of the drug. Because all drugs can harm as well as help, safety is relative. The difference between the usual... read more . At one time, most drugs were available without a prescription. Before the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) existed, just about anything could be put in a bottle and sold as a sure-fire cure. Alcohol, cocaine, marijuana, and opium were included in some ...

Most urinary tract infections (UTIs) are bacterial infections, and treatment is often with antibiotics. Nitrofurantoin (Macrobid) is often the first choice, but there are other options. They are among the Because a UTI is usually a bacterial infection, a doctor will In this article, we will discuss suitable medications for treating UTIs, as well as other treatments and remedies to help relieve symptoms. Share on Pinterest Alberto Bogo/Stocksy A UTI is an infection in any part of the urinary tract. The urinary tract is the body’s drainage system for removing urine. It • The • The ureters: the tubes connecting the kidneys to the bladder • The • The urethra: a tube at the bottom of the bladder that allows urine to exit the body Most UTIs occur as a result of bacteria such as Escherichia coli (E. coli). However, other types of pathogens, such as viruses and fungi, can also cause UTIs. A UTI may occur when a pathogen enters the urethra and infects any part of the urinary tract. The infection can irritate the lining of the urinary tract, leading to symptoms • • • • strong-smelling urine • pain or cramping in the pelvic area • UTIs that affect the kidneys (pyelonephritis) may cause: • • • lower back or side pain • A UTI that affects the urethra is known as Doctors can classify UTIs as either simple or complicated. Simple UTIs Doctors may prescribe different antibiotics depending on whether the UTI is simple or complicated. The type of antibiotic, the dose, and the length of treat...

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What defines an over-the-counter drug? India has decided to rethink which medicines can and can’t be sold without prescriptions. These measures will finally create a definition for over the counter (OTC) drugs and possibly curb the sale of some dangerous medicines. So what separates OTC drugs from prescription-only and why is this categorisation so important? The average consumer makes 26 trips a year to purchase OTC drugs, compared with just three visits to their doctor. Credit: The Photographer In November 2016, India’s drug regulator announced it was creating a definition for OTC medicines. This change will create some much-needed clarity around which medicines are safe for general purchase. Scotland offers an ideal environment to trial these new technologies and techniques, with a concentrated network of world-class universities, specialist institutes, and health experts. This is all supported by the national strengths in data and advanced tech such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, which are accelerating development timelines of treatments. Then there is the funding support available. Partnerships with universities allow companies to apply for UK funding streams. And Scottish universities have a track record of securing UK funding. In the last five years, through the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council and Medical Research Council, 13% (£450m) of all UK funding has gone to universities in Scotland. Download to learn more. By Scotland ...

Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medications In the U.S., there are more than 80 classes of over-the-counter (OTC) medications, ranging from acne medicines to weight loss products. OTC drugs are medications that are safe and effective for use by the general public without seeking treatment by a health professional. Popular examples include pain relievers like Search Search Popular OTC related searches • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • More information about OTC products What is an Rx-to-OTC switch? Many OTC drugs have undergone a prescription to over-the-counter switch -- also known as “Rx-to-OTC switch” -- meaning they were previously available only with a prescription but now can be bought as a nonprescription product. For example, proton-pump inhibitors like Are some drugs kept behind the pharmacy counter? A more restricted class of OTC drugs also exists. These products, while considered OTC, are kept behind the pharmacy counter and are dispensed by a pharmacist. Some products, such as Does the FDA review over-the-counter (OTC) drugs? The review of OTC medications is primarily handled by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Division of Drug Information (CDER), the Office of Drug Evaluation, and the Nonprescription Drug Advisory Committee. These teams evaluate and review OTC ingredients and labels. An OTC drug monograph is established for each class of product. The monograph contains acceptable ingredients, doses, formulations, and labeling. New products that conform to an ex...

Fungi can be found throughout the world in all kinds of environments. Most fungi don’t cause disease in people. However, some species can infect humans and cause illness. Antifungal drugs are medications that are used to treat There are several types of antifungal drugs available to fight fungal infections. Generally speaking, antifungal drugs can work in two ways: by directly killing fungal cells or by preventing fungal cells from growing and thriving. But how do they do this? Antifungal drugs target structures or functions that are necessary in fungal cells but not in human cells, so they can fight a fungal infection without damaging your body’s cells. Two structures that are commonly targeted are the fungal cell membrane and the fungal cell wall. Both of these structures surround and protect the fungal cell. When either one becomes compromised, the fungal cell can burst open and die. Antifungal drugs are very diverse. They can be given orally, as a topical treatment, or Antifungal drugs are classified by their chemical structure as well how they work. Below, we’ll discuss the different types of antifungal drugs and give some examples of the types of infections they treat. Azoles Azoles are some of the most commonly used antifungals. They interfere with an enzyme that’s important for creating the fungal cell membrane. Because of this, the cell membrane becomes unstable and can leak, eventually leading to cell death. There are two subgroups of azole antifungals: imidazole...

• ac ( ante cibum) means "before meals" • bid ( bis in die) means "twice a day" • gt ( gutta) means "drop" • hs ( hora somni) means "at bedtime" • od ( oculus dexter) means "right eye" • os ( oculus sinister) means "left eye" • po ( per os) means "by mouth" • pc ( post cibum) means "after meals" • prn ( pro re nata) means "as needed" • qh (quaque hora) means "every hour" • q3h ( quaque 3 hora) means "every three hours" • qd ( quaque die) means "every day" • quater in die) means "four times a day" • Sig ( signa) means "write" • tid (ter in die) means "three times a day" E-prescribing improves patient safety in a number of ways, such as: • Eliminating hard-to-read prescriptions • Reducing the need for verbal communication, which can lead to mistakes • Alerting the healthcare provider if the patient has a drug • Alerting the healthcare provider to possible drug interactions • Making it easier for the healthcare provider to view the patient's medication history Summary Healthcare providers sometimes use Latin abbreviations on prescriptions. Understanding these abbreviations can help you avoid medication errors. If your medication is prescribed electronically, you may not see the instructions until they appear on the label. At that point, it is important to consult your pharmacist if you have questions. It is always a good idea to go over the instructions with your pharmacist. Do your part to avoid medication errors. • Ohashi K. • Voice of America. • Pharmacy Times. • Tariq RA,...