USING OTC DRUGS SAFELY
Don't Forget to Do a Safety C-H-E-C
BY:MARY ELIZABETH TERZELLA
Just because you can buy drugs over the counter doesn’t mean they are completely safe. “Nonprescription drugs should be used with the same amount of caution as prescription drugs,” says Rebecca Kurth, MD, associate professor of clinical medicine at Columbia University. “It’s important to recognize that over-the-counter medications are real medicines with real benefits when used responsibly—and real risks when misused.”
Although consumers read drug labels for dosing information, many don’t fully understand other important drug facts, such as the active ingredient (the therapeutic substance), possible side effects, drug interactions and risks if misused, according to research by the Consumer Health Education Center (CHEC), a new nonprofit resource dedicated to OTC safety. To make sure you use OTC medicines safely and effectively, follow the organizaton’s CHEC list:
C Choose a product that treats only the symptoms you have. Avoid so-called “shotgun” remedies that treat multiple symptoms and have multiple active ingredients. Additional ingredients raise the risk of an adverse reaction.
H Heed label directions about dosage and food-drug interactions. For instance, taking too much acetaminophen or ibuprofen—or consuming alcohol while on these pain pills—may cause stomach bleeding or liver damage over time.
E Examine the active ingredient and warnings, particularly if you are taking more than one medicine. Acetaminophen, for instance, is found in cough, cold and flu remedies as well as painkillers, and if you take more than one of these medications you may inadvertently exceed the recommended dose. Also risky: Taking aspirin if you also take a prescription blood thinner.
C Consult a doctor or pharmacist if you have questions. This is especially important for people over 65, who often take multiple prescription drugs and who also may need to start at the lower end of the recommended dosage to reduce the risk of side effects.
For more information on how to use OTC drugs safely, log on to www.CHECforbetterhealth.org.