Over-the-counter medication safety

Common over-the-counter (OTC) medicines include pain relievers, cold medicines, laxatives, and antacids. Many of these OTC medicines can cause problems when used with other prescription medications.

Tonight, on House Call a medical professional from UHC joins us to discuss the importance of medication safety.

1. What are some common examples of over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, and why is it important to be cautious when taking them?

Common OTC medicines include pain relievers, cold medicines, laxatives to, and antacids. It is important to be cautious because many of these can cause problems when used with other medicines.

2. When reviewing the “Drug Facts” label on an OTC medicine, what specific details should you pay attention to under the “Active Ingredients” section?

You should pay attention to the name of the active ingredient, what it does, and how much is in each pill or teaspoon (5ml). This section lists the parts of the medicine that make it work.

3. How can you prevent harm when using multiple medicines, and what should you do if you are unsure about interactions?

To prevent harm, compare the active ingredients to ensure they are not the same across two or more medicines you are using, as too much can cause harm. If you are unsure, you should check with your pharmacist or doctor to know which OTC medicines to avoid using with your prescription medicines.

This content was originally posted on the WDTV News website here.

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