over the counter medication

[noble1]

An over the counter medication is any medication that can be purchased without a prescription "over the counter", but does not make the medication safer and needs to be taken according to the directions on the package and there is a need to be more vigilent and take into consideration individual health, the benefits versus the risks and potential interactions with any prescribed meidcations. Most over the counter meds start as prescription, but after a certain level of safety is established are made available over the counter. I can remember when ibuprofen was a new miracle cure for menstrual cramps, pain and only available with a prescription and I was a pre-teen, took a dose given to me by my friends mother (technically illegally because was prescribed for her mother and not me) and it made my horrible cramps go away, was like "magic" and at that time soon seemed like everyone was praising this new miracle drug that now is common, and just one of many forms of pain medication that can be bought over the counter practially anywhere that sells medication including hotel lobibies, but is still a serious medication that can have severe consequences to health if not taken apropriately or for individuals sufffering with certain health conditions and there is a need to be careful, take personal responsibility for one's health because everyone is diffferent and for me I have learned that without my health nothing else really matters.

[jemma116]

I must be really thick, and it wasn't until I read noble1's response message to caregiver222 that I reaslised what caregiver222 meant by saying "The pharmacist deserved fist-to-mouth".

No one deserves to be thumped in the face.  
And now I understand what was meant, I agree that no matter what was felt at the time, it should not have been expressed in this forum.

I do believe that MedHelp does have a policy what can be said.

[jemma116]

I agree that a pharmacist should not administer an inhaler without prescription to anyone.    Nor should anyone else use their inhaler on anyone.  The presciption is prescribed by the doctor for the person it was intented for not for use as a First Aid remedy.

A respiratory arrest can be caused by a number of reasons. One of which could be from an airway obstruction, or from a panic attack, and other reasons.  I carry an inhaler with me because it was prescribed for me as I am asmatic.  I would not under any circumstances use my inhaler on anyone else.  Not only that, germs can get passed on from the inhaler.

I had used Ibuprofen as perscribed by my doctor for some months, but had to stop taking it because it caused oedema and pain in my legs.  So unfornately for me, Ibuprofen is not a miracle drug.  People who suffer from stomach problems should not take it on an empty stomach.  I was also prescribed with Omeprazole to protect the stomach from any possible damage when taking the Ibuprofen.  This is why the instructions say to take it with or after food.

I am now having to find alternatives in the way of herbal remedies.  Haven't found what suits yet.  Will try cherry capsules which are supposed to be anti-inflammatory.
Used Litozin (rosehip) capsules, Celadrin but these are very expensive.  Haven't tried Celaritis, because it is a brand name that contains celadrin.

[noble1]

Ibuprofen: the strength of the drug is 200mg per tablet so to take 2 tablets at 200 mg would equal 400mg, most prescription ibuprofen is 600mg but is the same drug, reading labels and asking questions is the best to understand strength and proper dosing, ask when in doubt and this also goes for prescription medication...also each individual is different and inhalers are a delivery system for many different drugs that affect different body systems...  the reason for a person's inability to breath can be caused for many different reasons besides a blocked airway from an ashma attack or copd, such as an allergic reaction which would need to be treated much differently to stop the allergic reaction and respiratory arrest so to just administer an inhaled medication without understanding why a person cannot breath might not fix the issue, delay life savig treatment, or have consequences such as sudden cardiac death...a pharmacist is held to a highter standard to be prudent, and greater liability if they do deliver emergency assistance even if done with the best intentions because good samaritan laws do not protect licensed professionals in the way they protect unlicensed people. Sadly often the reason a professional might not act directly, call 911 has more to do with the fact that too often people sue and even if not found at fault because of costs, liability insurance will settle out of court which raises the cost for health care overall to every person and sadly more money goes to lawyers, insurance companies than towards education and care.

Violence, complaing, blaming, rhetoric, verbally abusive language only creates an atmosphere, discussion that is not supportive, is in the least "uncomfortable",is disrespectful, is a form of bullying,  discourages discussion,  does not solve problems, distracts from the real issues, learning and self-empowerment, taking personal responsibilty for health, wellbeing and sadly is too prevalent in society today where there is an epidemic of people suffering with hepatitis C who are not even aware they are infected and worse cannot and do not know how to get proper care, or how to manage their health so that they can recover.

Reading this response is disenheartening to me because I was hoping for a more intelligent, problem oriented, safe place to find support, share information and resources. I am fortunate because I am lucky to have gotten what I need to recover, was hoping that I might be able to help others how I have been helped when I was learning and going through treatment for my Hep. C and get some support too without hearing foul, rude, agressive, "trash" talk that I am reading now.

[jemma116]

You will find that over the counter medications are not as strong as prescribed by the doctor.

All over the counter medications still carry risks with regard to interactions with other medications, allergic reactions and so on.

Over the county medication for weight loss Ali is 60mg.  The doctor can prescribe under a different brand name a dose of 120mg.

Sudafed can be bought over the counter under a different brand name, but people with high blood pressure are recommended not to take it.

It is wise therefore to ask the pharmacist's advice already taking different medications.

[caregiver222]

The reason for a prescription on many drugs has more to do with a company maintaining a lock on supply. There is absolutely no reason for an emergency albuterol sulfate inhaler to require a prescription, but that's "the law" and a pharmacist watched a patient go onto respiratory arrest rather than provide an emergency inhaler without script. I arrived at that point and administered mouth-to-mouth. Then provided my own inhaler. The patient survived. Years ago I did some crop-dusting with pesticides. The injectable antidote (atropine) would have been nice to have but a local physician refused to supply the drug or syringes to the pilots.  In the case of Motrin or Ibuprufin, the prescription dose they give you in the ER is 400 mg. The over-the counter version is only 200 mg.