Discussion OTC Drugs

Week 5 Discussion OTC Drugs Order Description Discussion: Over-the-Counter Drugs Pharmacokin" rel="nofollow">inetic and pharmacodynamic processes differ among patients across their life spans. For geriatric patients, alterations due to agin" rel="nofollow">ing make them especially prone to adverse drug reactions. The various health issues that affect many geriatric patients further complicate this, as the need to treat these multiple health issues often results in" rel="nofollow">in polypharmacy. Although treatments are frequently drugs prescribed by the health care provider, many geriatric patients also take over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. While the provider sometimes recommends these OTC drugs, patients often select the drugs on their own. This makes patient education on pharmacology key when carin" rel="nofollow">ing for geriatric patients. Many patients assume that if drugs are available over the counter, then they are safe to take. However, due to issues related to polypharmacy and how their agin" rel="nofollow">ing bodies process drugs, OTC drugs may have serious implications for patients. To prepare: �Review the American Geriatrics Society article and in" rel="nofollow">interactive media piece in" rel="nofollow">in this week�s Learnin" rel="nofollow">ing Resources. �Select one of the followin" rel="nofollow">ing over-the-counter drugs commonly used by geriatric patients: �Antacids or acid suppressants �Antidiarrheal �Antihistamin" rel="nofollow">ines �Antimicrobial oin" rel="nofollow">intments �Antispasmodics for the bladder �Cough suppressants �Laxatives �Neutraceuticals (choose one; e.g., gin" rel="nofollow">inseng, St. John�s wart, etc.) �Pain" rel="nofollow">in medications (choose one; e.g., acetamin" rel="nofollow">inophen, ibuprofen, rub-on pain" rel="nofollow">in oin" rel="nofollow">intments/patches, etc.) �Supplements (choose one; e.g., calcium, iron, etc.) �Vagin" rel="nofollow">inal creams �Research the over-the-counter drug you selected. Visit a local pharmacy and explore the types/varieties of the drug that are available. Reflect on the in" rel="nofollow">ingredients in" rel="nofollow">in each type/variety, in" rel="nofollow">includin" rel="nofollow">ing additional active in" rel="nofollow">ingredients. �Consult with the pharmacist about the in" rel="nofollow">ingredients in" rel="nofollow">in each type/variety, in" rel="nofollow">includin" rel="nofollow">ing how to make safe and effective clin" rel="nofollow">inical decisions in" rel="nofollow">in relation to this drug. Discuss potential in" rel="nofollow">interactions in" rel="nofollow">in frail elders and precautions related to the drug based on Beers Criteria. If one is available, you may consult with a pharmacist at your practicum site as an alternative to visitin" rel="nofollow">ing a pharmacy. �Consider ways to educate elders about the OTC drug you selected. By Day 5 Post a PowerPoin" rel="nofollow">int presentation that addresses the followin" rel="nofollow">ing: �Describe the over-the-counter drug that you selected. �Identify the types/varieties of the drug that are available. Describe the in" rel="nofollow">ingredients in" rel="nofollow">in each type/variety in" rel="nofollow">includin" rel="nofollow">ing additional active in" rel="nofollow">ingredients. �Explain" rel="nofollow">in the key in" rel="nofollow">information that you need to know about this OTC drug to make safe and effective clin" rel="nofollow">inical decisions. Include potential in" rel="nofollow">interactions in" rel="nofollow">in frail elders and describe any precautions related to the drug based on Beers Criteria. �Explain" rel="nofollow">in how you would educate elders about the OTC drug you selected.