WHAT ARE THE 10 MOST COMMON MEDICINES?
The 10 most common over-the-counter medicines used worldwide include:
- Acetaminophen
- Ibuprofen
- Fexofenadine
- Loratadine
- Hydrocortisone creams
- Dextromethorphan
- Pseudoephedrine
- Bismuth subsalicylate
- Diphenhydramine
- Pseudoephedrine
WHAT ARE THE 3 MOST ABUSED OVER-THE-COUNTER DRUGS?
Certain active ingredients in over-the-counter medicines have the potential for abuse if taken more than the recommended dose, and these include:
- Pseudoephedrine is used in cold medicines and can cause the following side effects if abused:
- Dilated pupils
- Hallucinations
- Hypertension
- Heart arrhythmias
- Seizures
- Skin reactions
- Dextromethorphan is used as a cough suppressant. Symptoms of dextromethorphan abuse include:
- Lack of energy
- Hyperexcitability
- Poor motor control
- Stomach pain
- Increased blood pressure
- Vision changes
- Slurred speech
- Sweating
- Loperamide used as an antidiarrheal can cause the following side effects if misused:
- Fainting
- Stomach pain
- Constipation
- Eye changes
- Loss of consciousness
References
https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/over-counter-medicines
https://www.emedicinehealth.com/home_pharmacy/article_em.htm
https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/ss/slideshow-commonly-abused-drugs