When buying drugs in pharmacies, we often see the words [OTC] printed on one corner of the package-the so-called [over-the-counter drugs]. The clinical application of these drugs is generally long, the drug effect is determined, and the adverse reactions are rare or slight. Even if there is a lack of professional knowledge, the product instructions alone are sufficient for reasonable and safe application.
Therefore, even if there is no prescription issued by a practicing doctor, we can easily buy it.
However, some [over-the-counter drugs], once used incorrectly, may cause extremely serious clinical problems-acetaminophen is an example.
It is basically found in common cold medicines.
You may not be able to respond to acetaminophen, but it is also called paracetamol. Did you know it all of a sudden?
This is a widely used over-the-counter drug, whose main functions are antipyretic and analgesic. Many drugs on the market contain this ingredient, such as:
- Johnson & Johnson [Tylenol] Series Sino-US Shanghai Squibb [Baifu Nian] Series Sino-US SmithKline [New Contec] Bayer [Baijiahei] Various (Chinese Patent Medicine) Compound Preparations
These drugs are mostly used to control headache, mild muscle pain and cold symptoms (fever).
After more than half a century of clinical experience, acetaminophen has shown outstanding safety. At the recommended dose, even infants can eat it.
However, in January 2004, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reiterated that clinicians are recommended to stop prescribing compound drugs with acetaminophen content greater than 325 mg in single tablets (or single capsules, single administration).
What happened to acetaminophen?
In fact, as early as 2011, FDA had asked manufacturers of such drugs to change their doses.
Originally, FDA analyzed its own database of adverse drug events and found that acetaminophen may cause liver function damage. Serious cases, even acute liver failure, require liver transplantation to survive.
A large number of epidemiological investigations show that acetaminophen has become the most common cause of acute liver failure in many European and American countries.
Tracing back to the source, the culprit is precisely overdose!
Up to now, FDA’s decision to limit dose is still limited to prescription drugs containing acetaminophen, mainly some analgesics combined with opioid drugs, which have not affected over-the-counter drugs yet.
Can you rest assured to take cold medicine?
Some friends will be worried when they see this: Oh my God, taking paracetamol will hurt the liver! ?
Don’t worry, you can still take cold medicine to control your symptoms, as long as you don’t eat too much.
Due to the easy availability of over-the-counter drugs and the fact that many drugs contain acetaminophen, some patients may take and mix drugs containing acetaminophen in large quantities when using related prescription drugs, either due to lack of common sense of medication, or due to combined medication, or due to eagerness for success, etc., resulting in serious adverse reactions.
In view of this, FDA is also evaluating the safety of over-the-counter acetaminophen drugs and formulating further restrictions if necessary.
Fortunately, if the recommended dose (not more than 4g for 24 hours) is used according to the product description, the possibility of liver injury is very small.
Does how take this kind of cold medicine safely?
First of all, I would like to provide you with a tip on [over-the-counter drugs].
According to China’s laws and regulations, over-the-counter drugs are further divided into two categories:
-
Class a: Red [OTC] logo. Such over-the-counter drugs must be sold by pharmacies and used under the guidance of pharmacists.
-
Category B: Green [OTC] logo. Such over-the-counter drugs can be bought directly in supermarkets and grocery stores like ordinary commodities.
No matter red or green, when purchasing and using drugs containing acetaminophen, the following points must be kept in mind:
-
Clear content:Carefully read the product packaging or instructions to understand the active ingredients and corresponding contents of the drug, and make clear whether it contains acetaminophen.
-
Avoid sharing:If you are already taking prescription drugs containing acetaminophen, you should strictly follow the product instructions and avoid combining them with other drugs containing acetaminophen.
-
Avoid alcohol, be careful liver:Studies have shown that the incidence of liver events after taking acetaminophen is significantly increased in patients with drinking alcohol, chronic alcoholic liver disease and liver injury. Therefore, such patients should avoid using this kind of drug by themselves and suspend alcohol intake when using it.
-
Special groups should be careful:Medication for infants and elderly patients should be carried out under the guidance of clinicians as much as possible.
-
Symptoms worthy of vigilance:During the period of taking acetaminophen-containing drugs, if symptoms such as right upper abdominal pain and yellow staining of skin and sclera occur, the drug should be stopped immediately for medical treatment.
-
Active Consultation with Professionals:If you really can’t make up your mind, please consult doctors and pharmacists directly-after all, they are the professionals in this field.
It is suggested that you download a [Clove Doctor] App, which can easily inquire about the composition, dosage and attention of drugs, and can also directly consult professional online pharmacists. When facing over-the-counter drugs, it is safer and more convenient to select and take drugs.