Over-The-Counter Drugs Make a Substantial Contribution to the Pharmaceutical Supply in Germany
Over-The-Counter Drugs |
Many
individuals are turning toward over-the-counter (OTC) medicines for a variety
of different medical ailments. Over-the-counter drugs are medications sold
without a need for a physician's prescription. These drugs are usually located
on shelves in pharmacies, grocery stores, and even in gas stations. Examples of
OTC medications include pain relievers like acetaminophen (Tylenol) and
ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), cough suppressants such as dextromethorphan
(Robitussin), and antihistamines like loratadine (Claritin 24H).
Some of the most commonly marketed over-the-counter
drugs in Germany include Acetaminophen, Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Voltaren
Gel, and Dorithricin. The 7-day prevalence of having used at least one OTC drug
was 40.2% in total and 33.2% and 47.2% for men and women in Germany,
respectively, according to a 2018 study published in MDPI.
Because the effectiveness of OTC cold
medicine is often uncertain, some doctors may recommend over-the-counter drugs
in combination with prescription-strength cold medicine. OTC drugs often
contain lower dosages of pain relievers or pain killers than what would be
found in prescriptions. This makes them less likely to produce side effects or
to have harmful interactions with other medications. OTC drugs can also be more
easily accessed by the elderly and children. In some cases, over-the-counter
drugs can be purchased online without a prescription. Furthermore, OTC drugs
are frequently sold in bulk quantities and are less expensive than those sold
in pharmacies.
Decongestants are one of the most commonly
abused OTC medicines. People who abuse over-the-counter medicines may find that
their dosage is too low to relieve their symptoms and may try to overdose on
the medicines in an effort to experience instant relief. When used properly,
decongestants can be highly effective in reducing symptoms of congestion in the
chest area and the nose. However, if overuse is made, the patient may
experience serious complications.
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