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Medicines are Drugs

A medicine or drug
changes how your body works, or treats or prevents a disease or symptom

Who Has Used an Over-the-Counter Medicine This Week?

What are some reasons for using an OTC medicine?

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Prescription and Over-the-Counter Medicines

How are they different? How are they the same?

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Prescription and Over-the-Counter Medicines

How are they different? How are they the same?

Prescription 1. Ordered by a doctor 2. Bought at a pharmacy 3. Ordered for and used by only one person

Both types of medicine:

Directions must be

Over-the-Counter 1. Can buy without a doctors order 2. Bought off the shelf in store aisles 3. May be used by more than one person for the same symptom or problem 5

followed carefully and correctly

Children should use

only with permission of a parent or guardian A pharmacist can answer questions

Important Medicine Rules

Never share your prescription medicine with someone else. Never use someone elses prescription medicine. With OTC medicine, always check the dose.
The right dose for you may be different than for your friend or family member.
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How do you decide which medicine is the right OTC medicine for you? Read the Drug Facts label
All OTC medicines have a Drug Facts label
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Active Ingredients And what they do

Drug Facts Label

The parts of the medicine that make it work.

What does Drug Facts tell us about each active ingredient ??? Its name How much is in each pill or teaspoon (5 mL) What it does (its purpose or job) The problems it treats (its uses)
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Active Ingredients:

What does this medicine treat?

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What does this medicine treat?

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This medicine treats:

Fever Headache Minor body aches and pains Sore throat Stuffy nose Nasal and sinus congestion
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 Keisha stayed home from school today because she is sick. She has a stuffy nose, sore throat, and aches all over. Mom gives her some Get Better cold and fever medicine before leaving for work. Two hours later, Keisha gets one of her really bad headaches.

Keisha

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 Keisha wants to take her usual headache medicine to make the headache go away. She calls mom at work. Mom asks Keisha to get both medicines and look at the labels. Mom asks Keisha about the active ingredients in her medicines.

Keisha

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Can Keisha take these medicines together?

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Both medicines contain the same active ingredient acetaminophen.

NO

Keisha can not take them together. 16

ll a s t a ? f h W stuf s i h t

n r a W

s g in

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Warnings
The warnings section tells you:
When you should not use the medicine at all When you should talk to your doctor first How the medicine might make you feel When you should stop using the medicine Things you should not do while taking the medicine.

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Allergy Alert
When your body has an allergic reaction, you may have Itching - Swelling Rash - Fainting Hives - Trouble breathing If you think you are allergic to a medicine, do not use it. If you think that you or someone else is having an allergic reaction, tell an adult right away. Call 911 for trouble breathing or fainting.

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Ask a doctor before use Ask a doctor or pharmacist before use

When to ask a doctor, nurse, or pharmacist BEFORE using the medicine.
Some medical problems can make using a medicine less safe. Some medicines should never be used together.

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When using this product

Special information about using the medicine. Examples

Do not use more than directed Take with food or milk if stomach upset occurs Drowsiness may occur Avoid contact with eyes.

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Stop use and ask a doctor if

Reasons to stop taking a medicine include:
If you have an allergic reaction If you have new problems like stomach pain, throwing up, or dizziness If you are not feeling better after a certain number of days

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Keep out of reach of children

Young children may think medicine tastes REALLY GOOD. Medicine is not candy and can harm them if they take too much. If someone you know takes too much medicine or the wrong medicine, tell an adult right away. Call the Poison Control Center for help.
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Anthony
12 years old. Soccer goalie. Championship game today. Anthony has allergies: stuffy, runny nose and sneezing; watery eyes. What can he do?
Anthony speaks with his parents. Together, they look at the 2 allergy medicines in their home.

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Tonys mom reads the Drug Facts label:

The ingredient that treats allergy symptoms is chlorpheniramine

Under warnings, the label says: When using this product, you may get drowsy This is not the best choice before the championship game.

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 Mom and dad look at the second allergy medicine. It has the same Feel Better name But the ingredient that treats allergy symptoms is different: loratadine. This medicine also has an ingredient to treat nasal congestion (stuffy nose) They all read the Drug Facts label
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Feel Better: Allergy and Congestion Relief

Taking more than directed may cause drowsiness.

Under warnings, the label says:

When using this product, taking more than directed may cause drowsiness

Tony should never take more medicine than directed on the label. With his parents permission, Tony takes the correct dose. He soon feels better.

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Once you think you have found the right medicine for your problem What else do you need to know before you use your medicine?

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How to use the medicine

s n io e t c Us e r r i D Fo

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Directions
How much medicine to use How often to use it How long you can use it
How should you measure your dose of medicine?
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Measuring Tools for Medicines

Use the measuring spoon, cup, or syringe that comes with your medicine. This is the most exact way to measure your dose. If your medicine doesnt come with a special measuring tool, ask for one at the pharmacy. A silverware spoon may hold the wrong amount of medicine. Make sure the tool can measure the right dose check the markings on the tool.

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Other information and Inactive ingredients

Other information tells you
How to keep your medicine when you are not using it.

Inactive ingredients are used to:

Form a pill Add flavor or color Make a tablet or film dissolve quickly on your tongue Help a medicine last longer on the shelf
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Hmmm

Questions or Comments
Where to find a telephone number or website to: ask questions about the medicine report an unexpected reaction to the medicine
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Hmmm

Questions or Comments

If you have an unexpected reaction to a medicine, it is very important to call and let the company know. The companies that make medicines have to keep track of all unexpected reactions to their medicines. They must report serious reactions to the Food and Drug Administration within 15 days. The doctors and other scientists at the FDA look at these reports and watch for signs that a medicine may not be as safe as they thought.
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Be Safe!!

Use your OTC medicines wisely

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Take Home Messages

Speak with a parent or adult before using any medicine. Read the label carefully.
The information you need to use your OTC medicine safely and correctly is in the Drug Facts Label. Be smart about what you put into your body its the only body you have.
We hope you will share this information with your family. Thank you.

OTC medicines are serious medicines.

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