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Ask a Pharmacist: The Value of Over-the-Counter Medicines for Your Individual Health Needs
Ask a Pharmacist: The Value of Over-the-Counter Medicines for Your Individual Health Needs
Whether it’s the season for allergies, cold and flu, or any time during the year, over-the-counter (OTC) medicines provide quick and affordable access to the safe and effective, everyday care we need to self-treat when issues arise. However, determining which products are right for you and your family can sometimes feel overwhelming.
It’s important to know how to self-select and safely use the most effective treatments to relieve your particular set of symptoms. When you need a little extra help to make the right choices, your local pharmacist can be a great partner on your self-care journey to help you manage your self-care decisions quickly and confidently.
OTC medicines play an important role in our healthcare system. They provide access to treatments that can make the difference between an intolerable fever that lingers versus a manageable fever that you can handle, or a runny and stuffy nose versus open sinuses that allow you to breathe normally, or a fitful night of sleep versus a restful one. Letting sickness or untreated discomfort run its course is not always in our best interest; that’s why 240 million Americans reach for OTC treatments each year. In fact, more than 80% of Americans say they would go to the doctor for treatment if OTC medicines did not exist, showing how much more strained the U.S. healthcare system would be without these beneficial products.
Access to a range of OTC treatment options saves us time and costs associated with unnecessary doctor appointments for mild or moderate ailments. When you feel educated and empowered to make informed decisions about self-treating your family’s ailments, our healthcare system can focus its limited resources on the diagnosis and treatment of more serious diseases that require a doctor’s visit.
I knew I wanted to be a pharmacist at an early age. In sixth grade, it was clear to me that as a pharmacist, I could help people not only gain access to crucial, lifesaving-treatments, but I could serve as a resource to those who have a more difficult time accessing care, especially individuals living in underserved or rural communities, or those who may not live close to a doctor’s office.
I spend countless hours empowering patients to make safe and informed decisions when it comes to choosing and using OTC medicines. I often advise my patients to look for non-medical solutions first: avoid the triggers that cause your symptoms, eat right, get lots of rest, and practice an overall healthy lifestyle. But when that’s not enough, the OTC aisle can help provide some of the relief you might need to continue your daily routines.
But before you reach for that OTC medicine, make sure to read and follow the Drug Facts label on the back of the packaging. Look at the active ingredients, especially in products that treat more than one symptom. A good rule of thumb is to only treat the specific symptoms you’re experiencing. Also, if you suffer from high-risk health conditions, or you are currently taking other medicines, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor first before selecting an OTC medicine.
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Ask a Pharmacist: The Value of Over-the-Counter Medicines for Your Individual Health Needs
Ask a Pharmacist: The Value of Over-the-Counter Medicines for Your Individual Health Needs
Ask a Pharmacist: The Value of Over-the-Counter Medicines for Your Individual Health Needs
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Whether it’s the season for allergies, cold and flu, or any time during the year, over-the-counter (OTC) medicines provide quick and affordable access to the safe and effective, everyday care we need to self-treat when issues arise. However, determining which products are right for you and your family can sometimes feel overwhelming.
It’s important to know how to self-select and safely use the most effective treatments to relieve your particular set of symptoms. When you need a little extra help to make the right choices, your local pharmacist can be a great partner on your self-care journey to help you manage your self-care decisions quickly and confidently.
OTC medicines play an important role in our healthcare system. They provide access to treatments that can make the difference between an intolerable fever that lingers versus a manageable fever that you can handle, or a runny and stuffy nose versus open sinuses that allow you to breathe normally, or a fitful night of sleep versus a restful one. Letting sickness or untreated discomfort run its course is not always in our best interest; that’s why 240 million Americans reach for OTC treatments each year. In fact, more than 80% of Americans say they would go to the doctor for treatment if OTC medicines did not exist, showing how much more strained the U.S. healthcare system would be without these beneficial products.
Access to a range of OTC treatment options saves us time and costs associated with unnecessary doctor appointments for mild or moderate ailments. When you feel educated and empowered to make informed decisions about self-treating your family’s ailments, our healthcare system can focus its limited resources on the diagnosis and treatment of more serious diseases that require a doctor’s visit.
I knew I wanted to be a pharmacist at an early age. In sixth grade, it was clear to me that as a pharmacist, I could help people not only gain access to crucial, lifesaving-treatments, but I could serve as a resource to those who have a more difficult time accessing care, especially individuals living in underserved or rural communities, or those who may not live close to a doctor’s office.
I spend countless hours empowering patients to make safe and informed decisions when it comes to choosing and using OTC medicines. I often advise my patients to look for non-medical solutions first: avoid the triggers that cause your symptoms, eat right, get lots of rest, and practice an overall healthy lifestyle. But when that’s not enough, the OTC aisle can help provide some of the relief you might need to continue your daily routines.
But before you reach for that OTC medicine, make sure to read and follow the Drug Facts label on the back of the packaging. Look at the active ingredients, especially in products that treat more than one symptom. A good rule of thumb is to only treat the specific symptoms you’re experiencing. Also, if you suffer from high-risk health conditions, or you are currently taking other medicines, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor first before selecting an OTC medicine.
When should you consult a pharmacist?
A pharmacist can be a great advocate in your corner when it comes to your self-care. When you step up to a pharmacist’s counter, you’re not just a customer, you’re a patient. We are here to help you so you can walk away knowing you have made the right decision for yourself and your family. Think of each visit with your local pharmacist as a coaching session – serving to empower you – the patient – with the support you need to self-treat.
To help, I wanted to share a memory tool that pharmacists often use as they consider what medicines are right for patients. These are the types of questions a pharmacist will ask you. It’s called – “SCHOLAR MAC” – and something I always teach my pharmacy students at Drake University:
Symptoms – what are your primary symptoms and are there any other symptoms to consider?
Characteristics – how do those symptoms feel?
History – what type of treatment has already been done? Have these symptoms occurred previously?
Onset – when did the symptoms start?
Location – where are the symptoms occurring?
Aggravating factors – what makes it worse?
Remitting factors – what makes it better?
Medication – what other medicines are being taken?
Allergies – any known allergies?
Conditions – other medical conditions?
As your pharmacist, all these questions play an important role in determining how to best treat your symptoms. Arming yourself with the answers to these types of questions will help save time and make the most of your discussion with your pharmacist.
Each person experiences aches, pains, colds, allergies, and many other conditions and symptoms differently. Each person’s health and background is unique and may contribute to different symptoms, so recommendations vary based on your own personal needs and assessment.
For example, every fall and winter, we see more cases of cough and cold symptoms. Colds can often be mistaken for allergies, and vice versa. If you have a runny nose, itchy throat, or ear discomfort, I may recommend an OTC nasal spray that treats these symptoms. Depending on the severity of your symptoms, I may also recommend a few days of an oral antihistamine to help until the nasal spray starts working. All antihistamines are not created equal and have different side effects. Some can cause drowsiness and should only be taken at night while others do not.
For some people with occasional cough or chest congestion due to the flu or the common cold, they might find relief from some cough suppressants or expectorants. These are not for everyone so be sure to read Drug Facts labels closely for proper use, directions, and warnings. You can also ask your pharmacist for help. If you tell them what medications you take and what medical conditions you are treated for, they will be able to tell you if you can use OTC products to treat your symptoms. You can see there are many different options and considerations based on different needs.
Another valuable OTC treatment comes in the form of analgesics, or pain-relieving medicines. Different OTC medicines with a variety of brand names contain different active ingredients such as acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen. But which product should you choose based on your symptoms? An older adult experiencing joint pain may not be able to take certain pain medicines such as ibuprofen if they’re already taking blood thinning or heart medicines. In this situation, I always recommend reading Drug Facts label closely and consulting your pharmacist to ensure your OTC pain treatment is right for you or by taking Health in Hand’s over-the-counter pain reliever quiz to answer those crucial questions and find the treatment option that is right for you.
Final thoughts on the value of over-the-counter medicines
The COVID-19 pandemic changed the way we think about self-care. We’re prioritizing our own health and the wellness of our families more than ever, leading us to take more proactive steps to treat and prevent illnesses. Never has it been more important to understand how OTC medicines can help you find relief.
OTC treatment options can save you time, money, and in some cases prevent a doctor's visit to treat minor ailments. Take the time to empower yourself to make safe, informed decisions about your health and wellbeing when choosing and using OTC medicines. Bottom line, your self-care should be personalized – and when you need additional help with your self-care, you can see your pharmacist as a trusted resource.
We are here to help you on your self-care journey.
