OTC Abuse Dr. Eman Said Abd-Elkhalek Lecturer of Pharmacology & Toxicology Faculty of Pharmacy Company name Mansoura University • Use: In this stage, people use substances and enjoy behaviors responsibly with no painful consequences. • Misuse: In this stage, people begin to experience negative effects of their choices in their relationships, work and health. • Abuse: When people continue using a substance or practicing a behavior in spite of negative consequences, they are in the abuse stage. • Dependency: In this stage, the substance or behavior is the focal point of the person's life. • Addiction: A person becomes addicted alcohol and drugs when stopping their use causes withdrawal symptoms. • Prescription drug abuse is the use of a medication without a prescription, in a way other than as prescribed, or for the experience or feelings elicited. • According to several surveys, prescription medications, such as those used to treat pain, attention deficit disorders, and anxiety, are being abused at a rate second only to marijuana among illicit drug users. • The consequences of this abuse have been steadily worsening, reflected in increased treatment admissions, emergency room visits, and overdose deaths. • Over-the-counter medications—drugs (OTC) • Drugs (prescription and OTC drugs) are substances intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease. • OTC drugs are defined as safe and effective for use by the general public without a doctor's prescription • available to consumers without a prescription—play an increasingly vital role in healthcare system and are the most prevalent means of treating the majority of common health problems. • The benefits of over-the-counter availability include: 1. Direct, rapid access to effective medicines 2. Wide availability 3. Decreased healthcare system utilization (fewer physician visits, lower healthcare system costs) 4. Allowing individuals to be in charge of their own health • However, there are risks associated with OTC use, such as: 1. Incorrect self-diagnosis delaying diagnosis and treatment of serious illnesses (delay in seeking advice from a healthcare professional) 2. Increased risk of drug-drug interactions 3. Increased risk of adverse events when not used appropriately 4. Potential for misuse and abuse • USE IN SPECIAL POPULATIONS: 1. Children. • The number of children ages 12 and younger being administered an OTC medication in a given time period is more than twice that of prescription medications. • The most commonly used OTC medications in children are the analgesics/antipyretics acetaminophen and ibuprofen. 2. Adolescents. • Compared to the general population, adolescents 12–17 years of age use more OTC products for acne and less for allergies and pain relief. • Of particular concern are adolescents who abuse alcohol, illicit drugs, and medications including OTC cough medicines containing dextromethorphan, marijunana and prescription analgesics. 3. Older adults. • Adults ages 65 years and over generally have more medical problems and use more medications, both prescription and OTC, when compared to younger adults. • In this group, polypharmacy is common including multiple OTC preparations and prescription drugs. • Age-related changes occur in the elderly, predisposing this population to greater risks of adverse events, drug-drug interactions, therapeutic errors, and misuse. • What are some of the commonly abused prescription drugs? • Although many medications can be abused, the following three classes are most commonly abused: 1. Opioids—usually prescribed to treat pain, ; They can be extremely addictive and can slow down or stop a person’s breathing. 2. Central nervous system (CNS): • used to treat anxiety and sleep disorders; They slow down (or “depress”) the normal activity that goes on in the brain. • If combined with any medication or substance that causes drowsiness, depressants can slow both the heart and respiration, which can lead to death 3. Stimulants—most often prescribed to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. • They increase (or “stimulate”) activities and processes in the body. • Taking high doses of a stimulant can cause an irregular heartbeat, dangerously high body temperatures, and the potential for heart failure or seizures. • What Are the Signs of Prescription Drug Abuse? • ``The following signs could be an indication of prescription drug abuse: 1. constricted pupils, 2. Slurred speech, 3. flushed skin, 4. personality changes, 5. moodswings, 6. irritability, 7. excessive energy, 8. sleepiness, 9. sweating, 10. loss of appetite, 11. forgetfulness, or 12. clumsiness. • Prescription and OTC drugsmay be abused in one or more of Tthe following ways: • Taking a medication that prescribed for somebody else has been • Unaware of the dangers of sharing medications, people often unknowingly contribute to this form of abuse by sharing their unused pain relievers with their family members. Thank you