Those are much less common. The body processes every medicine differently. When medicines are used together, the ways they affect the body can change. This is called a drug-drug interaction.
It happens whether they are prescription or OTC medicines. It can increase the chance that you will have side effects from medicines you are taking.
The main interaction types are:. If you see more than 1 doctor, tell each of them about the medicines you take. Do this even if you take something for just a short time. Include any herbal supplements, vitamins, and minerals you take. Once a year, take all of your medicines and supplements with you when you see your doctor. You should also do this if your medications change at any time.
Food may change how your body processes some OTC or prescription medicines. This is called a drug-food or drug-nutrient interaction. This can prevent the medicine from working the way it should. For example, medicines taken by mouth are usually absorbed through the lining of the stomach. The nutrients from the food you eat are also absorbed this way. If you take a medicine with food but the directions say not to, your body might not be able to absorb the medicine the right way.
Food does not affect all OTC medicines. But what you eat and when you eat it does matter with some medicines. This is why some medicines should be taken on an empty stomach. That means 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating. At the same time, some medicines are absorbed or processed better when you take them with food. Read the drug facts label carefully.
See if you should take your medicine with food or on an empty stomach. If you have any questions, ask your family doctor or pharmacist. They can also warn you about possible interactions with your prescription medicines. Signs of an allergic reaction include itching, rash, hives, and breathing problems. Keep in mind that side effects are not true allergic reactions. Certain situations put you at higher risk for adverse effects. Then you will know what to expect.
Healthy adults who use OTC medicines occasionally and properly have a low risk of adverse effects. However, some people are at greater risk.
These include very young children, older adults, and people taking more than 1 type of medicine. People who have the following conditions are also at a higher risk:. These conditions put some people at greater risk. DXM overdoses can also be treated with naloxone. Read more about naloxone at our Naloxone webpage. Certain medications can be used to treat heart rhythm problems caused by loperamide overdose. If the heart stops, health care providers will perform CPR and other cardiac support therapies.
Yes, misuse of DXM or loperamide can lead to addiction. An addiction develops when continued use of the drug causes issues, such as health problems and failure to meet responsibilities at work, school, or home. There are no medications approved specifically to treat DXM or loperamide addiction. Behavioral therapies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and contingency management, may be helpful.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy helps modify the patient's drug-use expectations and behaviors, and effectively manage triggers and stress. Contingency management provides vouchers or small cash rewards for positive behaviors such as staying drug-free. This publication is available for your use and may be reproduced in its entirety without permission from NIDA. Department of Health and Human Services. National Institutes of Health. Drug Topics. More Drug Topics.
Quick Links. About NIDA. Over-the-Counter Medicines DrugFacts. Opioid Withdrawal Symptoms These symptoms include: muscle and bone pain sleep problems diarrhea and vomiting cold flashes with goose bumps uncontrollable leg movements severe cravings.
Points to Remember Over-the-counter OTC medicines are those that can be sold directly to people without a prescription. Those that have the potential for misuse include: Dextromethorphan DXM , a cough suppressant found in many OTC cold medicines Loperamide, an anti-diarrheal When misusing DXM, people swallow large quantities of the medicine, sometimes mixing it with soda for flavor, called "robo-tripping" or "skittling.
It is not unusual for a prescription medicine to be reclassified as OTC or vice versa, in light of new evidence, and laws do not entirely line up around the world. It is also growing fast, as new chemists open up in rural areas and an influx of new products hit the shelves. The lack of regulation is troubling, in that it heightens the risk of OTC drugs being taken inappropriately. Therefore stringent safety monitoring and regulations are needed.
Many of these drugs, like paracetamol, are low-risk, and will likely be recategorised as OTC. But it also includes some higher-risk products that should never be administered in this manner. For example, antibiotics are often acquired without prescription, contributing to the growing problem of antibiotic resistance. The government has lately been pressing for more cautious use of antibiotics. When illegal drug sales proliferate, this is likely to hit poorer communities the hardest. With Valium, Xanax and Lyrica.
Such incidents, of course, are mercifully rare, but they do point towards a greater need for oversight. This will also help us create more awareness among consumers. At present, it is not clear which of these new drugs are appropriate for retail sale.
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