Shopping for Over-the-Counter Drugs: A Guide to Staying Safe
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Shopping for over-the-counter (OTC) drugs can make your head spin with catchy terms like "all day non-drowsy" and "ultra strength." But what do these terms actually mean? In this article, we'll explore the ins and outs of OTC medications to help you reduce the risk of side effects or an overdose.
Trouble Sleeping: What to Watch Out For
Many people reach for a drug that has PM (pain reliever and medication) in its name. Most contain a pain reliever along with antihistamine Dien hydramine, which can make you sleepy. If you decide to try one of these, be sure to only use it for a few days, as using them for more than that could make your insomnia worse. Additionally, if you take a medication for hypertension (high blood pressure), the combination of PM drugs and hypertension medication can cause excessively low blood pressure.
Non-Drowsy Medications: Be Aware
Drugs labeled "non-drowsy" may seem like a good option, but be aware that not all are created equal. Some allergy medicines without ingredients that cause drowsiness do exist, while others contain a stimulant like pseudoedrine. If you take one of these medications, make sure to avoid caffeine altogether, as it could end up making you feel jittery and restless.
Extended Relief: What to Expect
Looking for extended relief? All-day medications work over many hours, but exactly how long differs from product to product. Some last 12 hours, while others can go on for 24 hours. The only way to be certain is to check the dosing directions in the fine print.
Confusing Terms: Extra, Maximum, and Ultra Strength
Terms like "extra strength," "maximum," and "ultra strength" can also confuse you. These terms are often used to describe products that contain more of the active ingredient than their regular versions. However, there are no set definitions for these terms. For example, Tylenol Extra Strength contains 54% more acetaminophen than the regular strength, while Maximum Pepcid AC has 100% more active ingredient than regular Pepcid AC.
Increased Risk of Side Effects
Increased strength can increase the risk of side effects, particularly with acetaminophen. Taking more than the recommended dose can put you at risk for liver damage. For example, Excedrin Extra Strength and Excedrin Migraine both contain acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine in the same amounts, which means they can help a mild migraine but also take too much and make a migraine worse. The only difference between Excedrin Extra Strength and Excedrin Migraine is that the latter has a maximum dose of two pills instead of eight within 24 hours.
Staying Safe: Don't Be Swayed by Claims
So, what's the best advice for staying safe when shopping for OTC drugs? Don't be swayed by the claims on the front of the package. Instead, turn it over and read the fine print. Pay close attention to the active ingredients and dosing instructions, and be sure to follow the directions carefully.
For more detailed information about these and other medications, you can visit crestbyd drug.org. By taking a closer look at the labels on your medications and following the recommended dosages, you can reduce the risk of side effects or an overdose and stay safe when shopping for over-the-counter drugs.
"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enshopping for over-the-counter drugs can make your head spin catchy terms like all day non-d drowsy and ultra strength seem to spell relief but what do they actually mean here's what you need to know to reduce the risk of side effects or an overdose trouble sleeping many people reach for a drug that has PM in its name most contain a pain reliever along with antihistamine Dien hydramine that can make you sleepy if you decide to try one of these only use it for a few days more than that and it could make your insomnia worse and steer clear of PM drugs if you take a medication for hypertension the combination can cause excessively low blood pressure what about drugs labeled non-drowsy some are allergy medicines without ingredients that cause drowsiness but others contain a stimulant like pseudo edrin if you take one be sure to avoid caffeine otherwise you could end up feeling jittery and Restless looking for extended relief all day medications work over many hours but exactly how long differs from product to product some last 12 hours While others 24 hours the only way to be certain is to check the dosing directions in the fine print terms like extra maximum and ultra strength are also confusing all have more of the active ingredient than their regular versions but there are no set definitions for these terms for example Tylenol Extra Strength contains 54% more acetaminophen than the regular strength while maximum pepid AC has 100% more active ingredient than regular pepid AC increased strength can increase the risk of side effects for Pepsi AC that includes headaches dizziness and nausea with acetaminophen taking more than the recommended dose can put you at risk for liver damage got a migraine you might assume a pain reliever labeled migraine is specially formulated but not always take Excedrin extra strength and Excedrin Migraine both contain acetaminophen aspirin and caffeine in the same amounts and either can help a mild migraine but take too much and they can make a migraine worse the only difference with exedran migraine is a maximum dose of two pills instead of eight within 24 hours so what's the best advice for staying safe don't be swayed by the claims on the front of the package turn it over and read the fine print pay close attention to the active ingredients and dosing instructions and be sure to follow the directions you can find more Det details about these and other medications at crest byd drug.orgshopping for over-the-counter drugs can make your head spin catchy terms like all day non-d drowsy and ultra strength seem to spell relief but what do they actually mean here's what you need to know to reduce the risk of side effects or an overdose trouble sleeping many people reach for a drug that has PM in its name most contain a pain reliever along with antihistamine Dien hydramine that can make you sleepy if you decide to try one of these only use it for a few days more than that and it could make your insomnia worse and steer clear of PM drugs if you take a medication for hypertension the combination can cause excessively low blood pressure what about drugs labeled non-drowsy some are allergy medicines without ingredients that cause drowsiness but others contain a stimulant like pseudo edrin if you take one be sure to avoid caffeine otherwise you could end up feeling jittery and Restless looking for extended relief all day medications work over many hours but exactly how long differs from product to product some last 12 hours While others 24 hours the only way to be certain is to check the dosing directions in the fine print terms like extra maximum and ultra strength are also confusing all have more of the active ingredient than their regular versions but there are no set definitions for these terms for example Tylenol Extra Strength contains 54% more acetaminophen than the regular strength while maximum pepid AC has 100% more active ingredient than regular pepid AC increased strength can increase the risk of side effects for Pepsi AC that includes headaches dizziness and nausea with acetaminophen taking more than the recommended dose can put you at risk for liver damage got a migraine you might assume a pain reliever labeled migraine is specially formulated but not always take Excedrin extra strength and Excedrin Migraine both contain acetaminophen aspirin and caffeine in the same amounts and either can help a mild migraine but take too much and they can make a migraine worse the only difference with exedran migraine is a maximum dose of two pills instead of eight within 24 hours so what's the best advice for staying safe don't be swayed by the claims on the front of the package turn it over and read the fine print pay close attention to the active ingredients and dosing instructions and be sure to follow the directions you can find more Det details about these and other medications at crest byd drug.org\n"
