A REVIEW ARTICLE ON OVER-THE-COUNTER DRUGS

Over-the-counter (OTC) drug is a medicine that is available without a prescription, and hence also referred to as “non-prescription drug.” The sale of OTC medicines from pharmacies can help individual’s self-manage symptoms. However, some OTC medicines may be abused, with addiction and harms being increasingly recognized and found to be more common in more people.

Shall mostly refer to medicines that are only available in pharmacies, rather than those on the General Sales List, which are available through supermarkets and other outlets without the supervision of a pharmacist. I shall also assume that pharmacists are alive to the problems of self-medication by patients and will take steps to advise them about seeking medical advice when appropriate. This is not true in all countries, and I shall therefore mostly restrict my comments to the UK, where it is. Self-care and self-medication are common practices in any health care system.

Abuse is characterized as over-consumption beyond the approved medical practice or medical norms when the hazards and unfavourable consequences outweigh the advantages. These include self-medicating at higher quantities and for longer periods of time than recommended. Improved knowledge, understanding about self-medication result in rationale self-medication procedure includes the usage of Over-the-counter or non-prescription drugs which are obtained by individuals without a prescription from a physician for the treatment of common ailments. Lower costs, convenience, availability, and the ability to control one’s own illness are the potential benefits of over-the-counter- drugs. The risk of drug misuse, dependence, and adverse drug events is increased when the drugs are used inappropriately. Misuse and use. There is an urgent need to implement legislation to promote judicious and rational use of over-the-counter drugs The sale of over-the-counter (OTC) medicines from pharmacies can help individuals self-manage symptoms.

OTC medicine abuse was identified in many countries and although implicated products varied, five key groups emerged: codeine-based (especially compound analgesic) medicines, cough products (particularly dextromethorphan), sedative antihistamines, decongestants and laxatives.. Associated harms included direct physiological or psychological harm (e.g. opiate addiction), harm from another ingredient (e.g. ibuprofen-related gastric bleeding) and associated social and economic problems. Strategies and interventions included limiting supplies, raising public and professional awareness and using existing services and Internet The public generally believes OTC medicines to be helpful for treating minor ailments.