$Unique_ID{BRK02047}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Reasons for the Increased Availability of Over the Counter Medications
and the Importance of Following the Directions on the Label}
$Subject{OTC's over the counter medications medicine medicines prescription
drugs prescription drug prescriptions OTC Nonprescription Drug Manufacturers
Association Food and Drug Administration FDA over-the-counter dose dosage
dosages}
$Volume{}
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Copyright (c) 1993  Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Reasons for the Increased Availability of Over the Counter Medications and the
Importance of Following the Directions on the Label


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QUESTION:  There certainly are a lot of medicines now available on the shelves
of my pharmacy that don't require a prescription, although that used to be the
case.  My friend says that they do not contain the same amount of medicine
that was formerly in the capsules or tablets before the change.  Can you tell
me if this is true, which would mean I would have to take more of the new
pills to get the same affect as before?

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ANSWER:  You are right about the increasing numbers of OTC (over the counter)
medications that are now available.  According to the Nonprescription Drug
Manufacturers Association, there may be as many as 200 OTC drugs that have
made the switch from prescription-only medications during the last ten years.
But your analysis of the contents, and particularly your interpretation of
their use, is way off the mark.
     Back in 1972, under the impetus of new amendments to the drug law, the
FDA began to examine all the active ingredients in OTC products for safety and
proven effectiveness.  As a result, many of those products were taken off the
market when they failed to meet the newly imposed standard for effectiveness,
or when they were banned for safety reasons.
     The new amendment specified that a prescription drug was primarily a
medication that would be unsafe unless used under professional supervision,
while an OTC preparation could be used with safety if the patient carefully
followed all the warnings and directions that were required on the label.
Since many prescription medications had a low risk of causing harm and a high
margin of safety, they were considered as good candidates for the switch from
prescription-only to OTC.  Many of the medications made the transition, with
the same dosage indications as were used when prescribed.  In some cases,
dosages were reduced.
     Now to the most important part of this answer.  OTC medications can be a
very valuable part of your personal health care, but only, let me stress ONLY,
used exactly as indicated on the label.  Doubling the indicated dosage is a
very big "no-no".  All the cautions should be carefully observed, and if the
symptoms you are trying to control fail to disappear after several days of
taking the preparation, it is most important that you consult with your
doctor.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.