OTC DRUGS

 Common OTC Drugs List

1. Ascorbic Acid 

• Ascorbic Acid is known as Vitamin C. It is a naturally occurring antioxidant.

Indication

• Vitamin C deficiency, Scurvy, Infection, Trauma, Burns, Cold, Following surgery, Common cold, Fever.

Side effects

• Large doses may cause GI upset, headache, trouble sleeping.

Precaution and warnings

• Diabetics, patients prone to recurrent renal calculi, those undergoing stool occult blood test, and those on sodium restricted diets or anticoagulant therapy should not take excessive doses of vitamin C over an extended period of time.

2. Benzyl benzoate Lotion

• Benzyl benzoate is a medication and insect repellant. As a medication it is used to treat scabies and lice.

Indication

• Scabies

Side effects

• Irritation in eyes and mucous membrane, allergic reaction.

Precaution and warnings

• Keep this medicine away from the eyes and other mucous membranes, such as the inside of the nose, because it may cause irritation. If you accidentally get some in your eyes, flush them thoroughly with water at once.
• Do not use benzyl benzoate on open wounds, such as cuts or sores on the skin or scalp.

3. Calcium Tablet (Calcium+ Vitamin D3)

• Calcium is a mineral that is an essential part of bones and teeth. The heart, nerves, and blood-clotting systems also need calcium to work.
• Body needs vitamin D to absorb calcium.

Indication

• Postmenopausal osteoporosis, osteoporosis, osteomalacia, rickets, calcium and vitamin D deficiency

Side effects

• Constipation, flatulence, nausea, abdominal pain ,diarrhea

Precaution and warnings

• People with low levels of gastric acid (achlorhydria) absorb less calcium if calcium is taken on an empty stomach.
• Calcium should be avoided in parathyroid gland disorders and sarcoidosis, Under-active thyroid (hypothyroidism),High levels of phosphate in the blood (hyperphosphatemia) or low levels of phosphate in the blood (hypophosphatemia)

4. Chloroxylenol Lotion/Cream

• Chloroxylenol is a broad-spectrum antimicrobial chemical compound used to control bacteria, algae, fungi and virus. It is used in hospitals and households for disinfection and sanitation. It is also commonly used in antibacterial soaps, wound-cleansing applications and household antiseptics.

Indication

• Insect bites, sunburn, cuts, scratches, abrasions, disinfection of skin, minor skin infection

Side effects

• Skin sensitivity, irritation of conjunctiva, mucosal irritation, tongue discoloration and burning sensation, parotid gland swelling.

Precaution and warnings

• Caution needed in pregnant and breast-feeding women. 
• For external use only; avoid contact with your eyes and mouth. 
• Avoid use on brain meninges, middle ear & other sensitive tissues. 
• Aqueous solution should be freshly prepared at recommended concentration and appropriate measures must be taken to prevent contamination.

5. Ferrous (Sulphate, Gluconate & Fumarate) 

• Iron is a mineral that the body needs to produce red blood cells. Iron formulation is given as Ferrous Sulphate, Ferrous Gluconate & Ferrous Fumarate.

Indication

• Iron deficiency anemia

Side effects

• GI irritation, abdominal pain and cramps, nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, dark stool and discoloration of urine

Precaution and warnings

• Avoid admin for >6 month except in patients with continuous bleeding. Iron storage or iron absorption diseases (haemochromatosis, haemoglobinopathies), GI diseases(inflammatory bowel disease, intestinal strictures, peptic ulcer, enteritis). Liquid preparation may stain teeth.

6. Gentian Violet

• Crystal violet or gentian violet (also known as methyl violet 10B or hexamethyl pararosaniline chloride) is a tri-arylmethane dye used as a histological stain and in Gram's method of classifying bacteria. Crystal violet has antibacterial, antifungal, and anthelmintic properties and was formerly important as a topical antiseptic.

Indication

• Gentian violet is an antiseptic dye used to treat fungal infections of the skin (e.g., ringworm, athlete's foot). It also has weak antibacterial effects and may be used on minor cuts and scrapes to prevent infection.

Side effects

• Redness, swelling, or irritation at the application site may occur. Skin sores are more likely to develop when the medication is applied to skin folds (e.g., between the toes, beneath the breasts).

Precaution and warnings

• Before using gentian violet, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other dyes; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
• If you have a certain metabolic disease (porphyria), consult your doctor or pharmacist before using this product.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant before using this medication.
• It is unlikely that this product passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

7. Glycerin Suppository

• Glycerin suppositories are a hyperosmotic laxative. It works by irritating the lining of the intestine and increasing the amount of fluid, making it easier for stools to pass.

Indication

• Occasional constipation.

Side effects

• Anal irritation; burning sensation; diarrhea; gas; nausea; stomach cramps.

Precaution and warnings

• Allergic to any ingredient in glycerin suppositories, a blockage in your digestive system, undiagnosed abdominal pain, appendicitis or rectal bleeding.

8. Low Dose Contraceptive Pills

• The low dose pill is a combined contraceptive containing progesterone and oestrogen. It contains a smaller amount of oestrogen than a regular combined contraceptive pill. Reducing the oestrogen means that some side effects, such as breast tenderness, can be lessened. Low dose pills have a higher rate of irregular bleeding than the regular pill, so are not suitable for everyone. They are more often used by older women, though they can be tried by everyone.

Indication

• Contraception

Side effects

• Spotting between periods (breakthrough bleeding), Possible weight gain or fluid retention, Breast swelling or tenderness, Nausea or upset stomach, Mood changes, headache.

Precaution and warnings

• You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to using birth control pills (oral contraceptives) if you have: A history of heart attack or stroke, A history of blood clots or a clotting disorder, Chest pain, High blood pressure (hypertension), Liver disease, such as liver failure, cirrhosis, hepatitis, or liver tumors

9. Mebendazole Tablet

• Mebendazole (MBZ) is a medication used to treat a number of parasitic worm infestations. This includes ascariasis, pinworm disease, hookworm infections, guinea worm infections, hydatid disease, and giardia, among others. It is taken by mouth.

Indication

• Treatment of nematode infestations, including roundworm, hookworm, whipworm, threadworm, pinworm, and the intestinal form of trichinosis prior to its spread into the tissues beyond the digestive tract.

Side effects

• Mebendazole sometimes causes diarrhea, abdominal pain, and elevated liver enzymes. In rare cases, it has been associated with a dangerously low white blood cell count, low platelet count, and hair loss, with a risk of agranulocytosis in rare cases.

Precaution and warnings

• General: Periodic assessment of organ system functions, including hematopoietic and hepatic, is advisable during prolonged therapy. Patients should be informed of the potential risk to the fetus in women taking mebendazole during pregnancy, especially during the first trimester. Patients should also be informed that cleanliness is important to prevent reinfection and transmission of the infection.

10. Methyl Salicylate cream

• Methyl salicylate (oil of wintergreen or wintergreen oil) is an organic ester naturally produced by many species of plants, particularly wintergreens.

Indication

• Methyl salicylate topical (for the skin) is used for temporary relief of muscle or joint pain caused by strains, sprains, arthritis, bruising, or backaches.

Side effects

• Redness, warmth, stinging, or burning on the application site may occur.

Precaution and warnings

• Before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to menthol or methyl salicylate; or to aspirin or other salicylates (e.g., salsalate); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems.
• During the first 6 months of pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. It is not recommended for use during the last 3 months of pregnancy due to possible harm to the unborn baby and problems with normal labor/delivery.

11. Milk of Magnesia Suspension

• Magnesium hydroxide is called Milk of Magnesia. Magnesium hydroxide is a common component of antacids as well as laxatives.

Indication

• This medication is used for a short time to treat occasional constipation. It is a laxative (osmotic-type) that is thought to work by drawing water into the intestines, an effect that helps to cause movement of the intestines.

• This medication is also used to treat symptoms caused by too much stomach acid such as heartburn, upset stomach, or indigestion. It is an antacid that works by lowering the amount of acid in the stomach.

Side effects

• Diarrhea may occur, symptoms of high magnesium levels (e.g., muscle weakness, slow/irregular heartbeat, slow/shallow breathing, mental/mood changes such as confusion), symptoms of dehydration (e.g., decreased urination, dizziness, extreme thirst, very dry mouth), stomach/abdominal pain, bloody stools, rectal bleeding.

Precaution and warnings

• Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: kidney disease, appendicitis or symptoms of appendicitis (e.g., stomach/abdominal pain, nausea/vomiting), magnesium-restricted diet, sudden change in bowel habits that lasts for longer than 2 weeks.

12. Mouthwash Preparations

• Mouthwash, mouth rinse, oral rinse or mouth bath, is a liquid which is held in the mouth passively or swilled around the mouth by contraction of the perioral muscles and/or movement of the head, and may be gargled, where the head is tilted back and the liquid bubbled at the back of the mouth.
• Usually mouthwashes are an antiseptic solution intended to reduce the microbial load in the oral cavity, although other mouthwashes might be given for other reasons such as for their analgesic, anti-inflammatory or anti-fungal action.

Indication

• Acute mucosal infection for mouth and pharynx, oral candidiasis.

Side effects

• Local irritation, sensitivity.

Precaution and warnings

• Avoid contact with eyes, should not be used under occlusive dressing.

13. Multivitamin Tablet/Capsule/Drops

• A multivitamin is a preparation intended to be a dietary supplement with vitamins, dietary minerals, and other nutritional elements. Such preparations are available in the form of tablets, capsules, pastilles, powders, liquids, and injectable formulations.
• Multivitamin supplements are commonly provided in combination with dietary minerals.

Indication

• Vitamin deficiency

Side effects

• Upset stomach; headache; or unusual or unpleasant taste in your mouth.

Precaution and warnings

• Avoid taking more than one multivitamin product at the same time unless your doctor tells you to. Taking similar vitamin products together can result in a vitamin overdose or serious side effects.
• Avoid the regular use of salt substitutes in your diet if your multivitamin contains potassium. If you are on a low-salt diet, ask your doctor before taking a vitamin or mineral supplement.
• Do not take this medication with milk, other dairy products, calcium supplements, or antacids that contain calcium. Calcium may make it harder for your body to absorb certain ingredients of the multivitamin.
• Multivitamins can interact with certain medications, or affect how medications work in your body.

14. Oral Rehydration Salt (ORS)

• Oral rehydration therapy (ORT) is a type of fluid replacement used to prevent and treat dehydration, especially that due to diarrhea. It involves drinking water with modest amounts of sugar and salts. Oral rehydration therapy can also be given by a nasogastric tube. Therapy should routinely include the use of zinc supplements. Use of oral rehydration therapy decreases the risk of death from diarrhea by about 93%.

Indication

• Diarrhea, dehydration, vomiting, fluid and electrolytes imbalance.

Side effects

• No significant side effects.

Precaution and warnings

• Depressed  renal function, severe continuing diarrhea or other critical fluid losses may need supplementation with parenteral fluids along with oral saline. Reconstitute saline should be used within 6 hours.

15. Potassium Permanganate Granules

• Potassium permanganate is an inorganic chemical compound and medication. As a medication it is used for cleaning wounds and dermatitis.

Indication

• This medication is mixed into liquid form and used on the skin as protection from germs and infections.

Side effects

• This medication may irritate the skin.

Precaution and warnings

• Tell your doctor if you have: other illnesses, allergies. This medication should be used only if clearly needed during pregnancy.

16. Povidone Iodine

• Povidone-iodine (PVP-I), also known as iodopovidone, is an antiseptic used for skin disinfection before and after surgery. It may be used both to disinfect the skin of the patient and the hands of the healthcare providers. It may also be used for minor wounds. It may be applied to the skin as a liquid or a powder

Indication

• Povidone-iodine is a broad spectrum antiseptic for topical application in the treatment and prevention of wound infection. It may be used in first aid for minor cuts, grazes, burns, abrasions and blisters.

Side effects

• Local irritation, sensitivity to skin and mucus membrane.

Precaution and warnings

• Pregnancy, lactation, neonates, renal impairments.

17. Promethazine Tablet

• Promethazine is a neuroleptic medication and first-generation antihistamine of the phenothiazine family. The drug has strong sedative and weak antipsychotic effects. It also reduces motion sickness and has antiemetic and anticholinergic properties (via its action on the dopamine receptor D2).

Indication

• As a sedative
• For preoperative sedation and to counteract post narcotic nausea
• To reduce nervousness, restlessness and agitation caused by psychiatric conditions (used for this purpose mainly in Europe)
• Treatment for migraines

Side effects

• Tardive dyskinesia (effects due to Dopamine D2 receptor antagonism), Confusion in the elderly, Drowsiness, dizziness, fatigue, more rarely vertigo, Dry mouth, Respiratory depression in patients under age of two and in those with severely compromised pulmonary function, Constipation, Chest discomfort/pressure (typically in cases when patient is already taking medication for high blood pressure), Short temper/irritability.

Precaution and warnings

• Before taking promethazine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to any other phenothiazines (such as prochlorperazine); or if you have any other allergies.
• This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy or cause blurred vision. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness or clear vision until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Avoid alcoholic beverages.

18. Psyllium

Psyllium, a bulk-forming laxative, is used to treat constipation. It absorbs liquid in the intestines, swells, and forms a bulky stool, which is easy to pass. This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

19. Riboflavin Tablet

• Riboflavin, also known as vitamin B2, is a vitamin found in food and used as a dietary supplement. As a supplement it is used to prevent and treat riboflavin deficiency and prevent migraines. It may be given by mouth or injection.

Indication

• Riboflavin deficiency, microcytic anemia.

Side effects

• Bright yellow discoloration of urine.

Precaution and warnings

• Breast feeding few of the very important precautions before taking Riboflavin Tablet to be taken are given below:
• Difficulty in breathing, Hives, Pregnant.

20. Salbutamol Tablet

• Salbutamol is a medication that opens up the medium and large airways in the lungs. It is used to treat asthma, exercise-induced bronchospasm, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Indication

• Acute severe asthma, severe bronchospasm

Side effects

• Skeletal muscle tremor especially hands, tachycardia, palpitation, muscle cramps, headache, urticarial, hypotension and collapse.

Precaution and warnings

• In thyrotoxicosis.

21. Salicylic acid 

• Salicylic acid (from Latin salix, willow tree) is a monohydroxybenzoic acid, a type of phenolic acid, and a beta hydroxy acid. In addition to serving as an important active metabolite of aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid), which acts in part as a prodrug to salicylic acid, it is probably best known for its use as a key ingredient in topical anti-acne products.

Indication

• This product is used to treat mild to moderate acne. Salicylic acid as a medication is used most commonly to help remove the outer layer of the skin. As such it is used to treat warts, psoriasis, dandruff, acne, ringworm, and ichthyosis.

Side effects

• Skin reactions such as peeling/burning/dry/reddened skin may occur, especially at the start of treatment. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare.

Precaution and warnings

• Avoid contact with eyes and other mucous membranes. Before using salicylic acid, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs-NSAIDs (e.g., aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen); or if you have any other allergies.

22. Salicylic acid + Benzoic Acid Ointment

Indications

• Fungal infection, Athlets foot, barbar`s itch.

Side effects

• Irritation, sensitivity, excessive drying, systemic effects on prolonged use.

Precautions and warning

• Not for prolonged use in high concentrations and on large areas on the body, avoid broken skin, mouth, eyes, mucous membranes, and anogenital region.

23. Silver Sulfadiazine 1% cream

• Silver sulfadiazine is a topical antibiotic used in partial thickness and full thickness burns to prevent infection.

Indication

• Cuts, wounds, severe burns, post operative wound dressing, bed sores.

Side effects

• Allergic reaction, burning, itching, rashes, transient leucopenia.

Precaution and warnings

• Should be used with caution in presence of hepatic or renal impairement or if the condition of porphyria is suspected. Patients sensitive to systemic sulphonamide and individuals having glucose 6 phosphate deficiency.

24. Sunscreen Preparation

• Sunscreen, also known as suncream, is a lotion, spray, gel or other topical product that absorbs or reflects some of the sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation and thus helps protect against sunburn. Skin-lightening products have sunscreen to protect lightened skin because light skin is more susceptible to sun damage than darker skin.

Benefits

• Sunscreen use can help prevent melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma, two types of skin cancer. There is little evidence that it is effective in preventing basal cell carcinoma.

Active ingredients

• In addition to moisturizers and other inactive ingredients, sunscreens contain one or more of the following active ingredients, which are either chemical or mineral in nature:
• Organic chemical compounds that absorb ultraviolet light.
• Inorganic particulates that reflect, scatter, and absorb UV light (such as titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, or a combination of both).
• Organic particulates that mostly absorb UV light like organic chemical compounds, but contain multiple chromophores that reflect and scatter a fraction of light like inorganic particulates. An example is Tinosorb M. The mode of action is about 90% by absorption and 10% by scattering.

Side effects

• Allergic Reactions, Sunscreens Can Make Acne Worse, Eye Irritation, Pain in Hairy Areas, Pus in the Hair Follicles.

Precaution and warnings

• Wash off and stop using the sunscreen, if it causes redness or irritation.
• Avoid using sunscreen on kids younger than 6 months.
• Choose oil-free and non comedogenic sunscreen, if you have oily skin.

25. Vitamin A Capsule

• Vitamin A is a group of unsaturated nutritional organic compounds that includes retinol, retinal, retinoic acid, and several provitamin A carotenoids (most notably beta-carotene).
• It is important for growth and development, for the maintenance of the immune system and good vision.

Indication

• Vitamin A deficiency, night blindness, xerophthalmia

Side effects

• Hypervitaminosis A characterized by fatigue, irritability, anorexia, weight loss, vomiting, other GI disturbance, fever, skin changes.

Precaution and warnings

• Cholestatic jaundice, fat malabsorption conditions, monitor patients closely for toxicity, liver impairment .

26. Vitamin B Complex Tablet/Syrup/Drops

• B vitamins are a class of water-soluble vitamins that play important roles in cell metabolism. Though these vitamins share similar names, research shows that they are chemically distinct vitamins that often coexist in the same foods. In general, dietary supplements containing all eight (vitamin B1,B2,B3,B5,B6,B7,B9,B12)are referred to as a vitamin B complex.

Indication

• Vitamin B deficiency, glossitis, stomatitis, beriberi polyneuritis.

Side effects

• Well tolerated.

Precaution and warnings

• Should be given cautiously to patients taking Levodopa as pyridoxine reduces the effect of Levodopa.

27. Xylometazoline 0.1% Nasal drops

• Xylometazoline, also spelled xylomethazoline, is a medication which is used to improve symptoms of nasal congestion, allergic rhinitis, and sinusitis.

Indication

• Sinusitis, nasal congestion, seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis.

Side effects

• No serious side effects, occasional irritation of the nasal mucosa may occur.

Precaution and warnings

• The prolonged use or abuse of decongestant in general may lead to rebound congestion or drug induced rhinitis. 

28. Cetirizine

• Cetirizine is a second-generation antihistamine used to treat allergic rhinitis, dermatitis, and urticaria. It is taken by mouth. Effects generally begin within an hour and last for about a day.