Pharm D 2nd year
Subject code 2.5 : Community Pharmacy
OTC
By
Mr.Khadga Raj Aran
Assistant Professor
ISF College of Pharmacy, MOGA
23/06/25 ISF College of Pharmacy, MOGA
[email protected] 1
OTC DRUGS
OTC drugs are those drugs which are safe and effective for
use by the general public without a doctor’s prescription.
It is also called prescription de controlled drugs.
These drugs are the non prescription or over-the-counter drugs.
These have little significant pharmacological activity and
therefore the physician need not to be very much concerned about their
use by the patients themselves.
It is used primarily for symptomatic relief and not as
substitutes for prescription drugs.
SIGNIFICANCE
Comparatively cheaper
Chemist himself may prescribe OTC
consumers are able to
Self diagnose
Self treat
Self manage
OTC considered as time saving medications. Some patients
do
not want to spend much time at physicians clinic.
Lesser number of side effect compared to prescription
medications.
MARKET
ANALYSIS
Drugs Used by
Indians
“Over-the-
Prescripti
onDrug counter drug
OTC
Drugs
s products
45%
55% account for 55
percent of
drugs used by
Indians.”
4
TYPES OF OTC
MEDICATIONS
ANALGESICS
ANTIBIOTICS
COUGH SUPPRESSENTS
ANTI ACNE DRUGS
NSAIDS
ANTISEPTICS
DECONGESTANTS
ANTACIDS
ANTIFUNGALS
ANTI HISTAMINES
Topical Antibiotic
Topical Antibiotics are medicines applied to
the skin to kill bacteria. They are used to treat or prevent infections
that occur on minor cuts, scrapes, and burns due to presence of
bacteria.
Cough Suppressants
Cough Suppressants are medicines that
prevent or stop coughing. A cough suppressant is used for treating
dry coughs (antitussives). It helps to suppress the body's urge to
cough. Cough suppressants are different from cough expectorants.
Cough expectorants help in treating productive coughs (coughs that
produce phlegm).
Anti Acne Drugs
Anti-acne drugs are medicines are used in
the treatment of various acne problems like pimples, whiteheads,
blackheads, and other serious forms of acne.
Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are medicines
that are used to treat inflammation, mild to moderate
pain, and fever. They are basically drugs with analgesic
and antipyretic effects and with higher doses, they have
anti-inflammatory effects.
Antiseptics Medicine
Antiseptics in the form of lotions, creams, ointment are
medicines that slow or stop the growth of germs and
help prevent infections in cuts, scrapes, and burns.
Analgesics Drugs
Analgesics are medicines that relieve pain.
Decongestant
Decongestants are the drugs or medicines used to
Antacid
s
Antacids are the medicines or drugs that neutralizes the stomach
acids.
Antihistamines
Anti-Histamines are medicines that relieve or prevent the
symptoms of allergy like Hay Fever, itchy eyes, sneezing, runny
nose and other kinds of allergy .
Anti Fungal Drug
Anti-Fungal Drugs are used to treat infections caused by a
fungus.
Smoking Cessation Drug
Smoking-cessation Drugs are medicines that are
used to help people stop smoking cigarettes or
using other forms of tobacco .
Label information controlled by
the FDA
When to use
Product name
How to use
Identity
What to
OTC Indications watch for
Active Directions:
Antacids
ingredients Ingredients: Warnings:
12 fl. oz. Precautions: Possible drug
GOTCHA, Expiration interactions
Quantity date:
INC.
Manufacturer When drug
should no
longer be
used
RULES FOR THE PROPER USE OF OTC DRUGS
Always know what you are taking.
Know the effects.
Read the warnings .
Don’t use anything for more than 1 to 2 wks.
Be particularly cautious if also taking prescription drugs.
If you have questions, ask a pharmacist.
If you don’t need it, don’t use it!
SPECIAL PATIENT GROUPS
Many patient groups may be particularly susceptible to
adverse events that are caused by OTC products.
They include:
Children
Women who are pregnant or breast feeding
Geriatric patients ( older adults)
People taking prescription drugs & people having health
problems
OTC Medications Are Safe But Not
Risk-Free
As with all medications, there can be risks with
use. The risks of OTC use include:
Risk of drug-drug/herbal/dietary supplement
interactions.
Risk of adverse events.
Potential for dependence, misuse and abuse.
MISUSE AND ABUSE OF OTC
DRUGS
Physical dependence
Psychological dependence
Nonprescription products that can be severely habit-forming:
decongestants, laxatives, antihistamines, sleep aids, antacids and
ephedrine.
Only 16% reads the entire product label.
If they read them they do not follow the directions on the label.
Abuse is most common in adolescents aged 10-17 years.
Adolescents are 18% times more likely to dies
from an OTC overdose than from a illicit drug dose
overdose.
OTC PRODUCTS LIABLE TO MISUSE
Product type examples
methylated and
Solvents surgical spirit
Propellants pain relieving sprays
Chemicals citric acid
Opioids codeine, morphine
Laxatives senna
Overdosing has occurred with non prescription
medicines, particularly those that contain paracetamol.
Adverse reactions can also occur but rare. Pharmacist
should therefore ensure that advice and information are
available on the safe and effective use of medicines.
In what way the OTC drugs can be
Harmful.
OTC drugscan change the effect of
prescription medications.
OTC drugs can mask symptoms of disease.
OTC drugs can lead to overdose.
If misused even common over-the-counter
drugs, such as aspirin, vitamins, or cold
remedies can be harmful.
RATIONAL USE OF OTC DRUGS
ANALGESICS
Pain relief medicines (also known as "analgesics" and
"painkillers") are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration
(FDA). Some analgesics, including opioid analgesics, act on the
body's peripheral and central nervous systems to block or decrease
sensitivity to pain. Others act by inhibiting the formation of certain
chemicals in the body.
These relieve the minor aches and pains associated with conditions
such as headaches, fever, colds, flu, arthritis, toothaches, and
menstrual cramps. There are basically two types of OTC pain
relievers: acetaminophen and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
Acetaminophen is an active ingredient found in more than 600
OTC and prescription medicines, including pain relievers, cough
suppressants, and cold medications.
NSAIDs are common medications used to relieve fever and minor
aches and pains. They include aspirin, naproxen, and ibuprofen, as
well as many medicines taken for colds, sinus pressure, and
allergies. They act by inhibiting an enzyme that helps make a
specific chemicals.
Use as
Directed
Pain medications are safe and effective when used as directed.
However, misuse of these products can be extremely harmful and even
deadly.
Consumers who take pain relief medications must follow their
health care professional's instructions carefully. If a measuring tool
is provided with your medicine, use it as directed.
Do not change the dose of your pain relief medication without talking
to your doctor first.
Also, pain medications should never be shared with anyone else. Only
your health care professional can decide if a prescription pain
medication is safe for someone.
COUNSELING
OTC COUNSELING QUESTIONS
Counseling patients about self-care and nonprescription drugs is not
the same and cannot follow the same procedure as for prescription
drugs. That is why OTC counseling requires much more exploratory
open or close- ended questions on the part of the pharmacist which are
especially useful to clarify information gathered about the patient’s
condition.It allows gathering the most abundant amount of
information. These questions usually start with who, what, how, why
or where. For example:
“Which of the prescription medications do you take on regular
basis?”
“Which of the nonprescription and herbal medications do
you use?”
“What types of conditions do you routinely see your
doctor for?” Some other questions are also possible:
“Have you ever experienced any side effects after taking
the OTC medication?”
“Have you taken this OTC medication before?”
23/06/25 ISF College of Pharmacy, MOGA 22
PATIENT COUNSELING
Step l
Every pharmacist should begin the OTC counseling session by
introducing himself/herself by name which identifies him/her as the
pharmacist. He/she should try to relax the patient by beginning the
session with a friendly smile and a handshake. The pharmacist should
also explain that he/she can provide assistance with OTC product
selection and explain how to use such medication.
Step 2
In order to elicit key information the pharmacist should first and
foremost try to obtain relevant information about patient’s
demographic (e.g. sex, age, pregnant, nursing, weight, allergies,
social history etc), disease (e.g. history of present illness, current
symptoms, course of illness, past history, other underlying medical
conditions) and drug (e.g. current medication, medication taking
history, OTC history etc.) Moreover, by using suitable verbal and
written communication techniques, the pharmacist should inform,
educate, and counsel patients about the following:
23/06/25 ISF College of Pharmacy, MOGA 24
Drug name (generic and/or brand name)
Route, dosage form, dosage and administration schedule;
Special directions for preparation and administration as well as
precautions to be taken during the process;
Techniques for self-monitoring of drug therapy;
Storage;
Potential drug-drug or drug-food interactions or other therapeutic
contraindications ; and
Accordingly other Information "peculiar to the specific patient or drug
etc.
In addition, it is of vital importance to demonstrate to patient’s-
how to use medications in various forms such as inhalers, patches,
drops, ointments, lozenges, gargles etc.
And Ask them to demonstrate making sure that patients
understand which route of administration should be used thus
ensuring that patients have all the necessary instructions in
writing and that they understand how to schedule their
medications in accordance with meals and other medications.
23/06/25 ISF College of Pharmacy, MOGA 26
THANKS
For Further Detail/SUGGESTIONS Please
Contact
ISF COLLEGE OF PHARMACY, MOGA
(An Autonomous College)
Ghal Kalan, GT Road, Moga- 142001, (Pb.)
E- mail:
[email protected] Website: www.isfcp.org
23/06/25 ISF College of Pharmacy, MOGA
