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PRESCRIPTION AND OVER-THE-COUNTER (OTC) DRUGS: PRESCRIPTION DRUGS
Although making wise decisions about providers is an important aspect of responsible health care, consumers must also actively participate in making choices about prescription and over-the-counter medications. A number of factors must be taken into account. Like, asking the right questions of health care providers, it is also important to understand the benefits, risks, and possible interactions related to a given medication.
Even though prescription drugs are administered under medical supervision, the wise consumer still takes precautions. Hazards and complications arising from the use of prescription drugs are common. Responsible decision making about prescription drug use requires the consumer to acquire basic drug knowledge.
Prescription drugs can be divided into dozens of categories. Some of the most common are discussed here.
Antibiotics are drugs used to fight bacterial infection. Bacterial infections continue to be the most common serious diseases in the United States and throughout the world. The vast majority of these can be cured with antibiotic treatment. There are currently close to 100 different antibiotic drugs used to kill or stop bacterial growth. They may be dispensed by intramuscular injection or in tablet or capsule form. Some, called broad-spectrum antibiotics, are designed to control disease caused by a number of bacterial species. These medications may also kill off helpful bacteria in the body, thus triggering secondary infections. For example, some types of vaginal infections are related to long-term use of antibiotics.
Analgesics are pain relievers. The earliest pain relievers were made of derivatives manufactured from the opium poppy. Most pain relievers work at receptor sites by interrupting pain signals. Some analgesics are available as OTC drugs.
Some analgesics are called NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) types. The pharmacological action of these drugs is such that they are sometimes called prostaglandin inhibitors. Prostaglandins are chemicals that resemble hormones and are released by the body in response to pain. When a painful stimulus, such as a cut or scrape, occurs, nerve cells near the site of the pain release prostaglandins. (Scientists believe that the additional pain caused by the release of prostaglandins signals the body to begin the healing process.) Prostaglandin inhibitors restrain the release of prostaglandins, thereby reducing the pain. The most common NSAIDs are ibuprofen (Motrin) and naproxen sodium (Anaprox). Both are used in prescription strength to relieve inflammatory conditions (such as arthritis) and are effective in relieving minor to moderate joint and muscle pain. The principal adverse side effects include stomach irritation, kidney damage, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), dizziness, and swelling from fluid retention. Most prescription NSAIDs have similar side effects and pharmacological action.
Most analgesics have side effects, the most common of which is drowsiness due to the depression of the central nervous system. Label warnings are, as usual, important. Some labels caution specifically against driving or operating heavy machinery when using the drug, and most state that analgesics should not be taken with alcohol.
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GENERAL HEALTH
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