What are the seven active ingredients found in different combinations in OTC stimulants, sleep aids, weight-control, analgesics, cold, cough, allergy and sinus medications?

What are the seven active ingredients found in different combinations in OTC stimulants, sleep aids, weight-control, analgesics, cold, cough, allergy and sinus medications?

1. Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA, aspirin): analgesic, antipyretic
2. Acetaminophen: analgesic-antipyretic
3. Caffeine: stimulant
4. Chlorpheniramine maleate: antihistamine
5. Dextromethorphan: antitussive
6. Diphenhydramine: antihistamine
7. Phenylephrine: sympathomimetic
8. Pseudoephedrine: sympathomimetic in behind-the-counter" drugs

What does FDA advise concerning the use of cold medications with children?

What does FDA advise concerning the use of cold medications with children?

Answer: Warns parents not to give OTC cold products to children under the age of 2 and to use with caution for children up to the age of 11

What does FDA have to say about antihistamines and the treatment of colds?

What does FDA have to say about antihistamines and the treatment of colds?

Answer: FDA advisory panel finds not conclusive data for antihistamines effectiveness with cold, but does find effectiveness as allergy medication

What is the best way to reduce the risk of catching a cold?

What is the best way to reduce the risk of catching a cold?

Answer: Wash hands

What causes soreness and swelling of mucous membranes with a cold?

What causes soreness and swelling of mucous membranes with a cold?

Answer: Rhinoviruses zero in on upper respiratory tract, causing first irritation that leads to coughing and sneezing, with increased irritation inflaming tissues, followed by soreness and swelling of the mucous membrane. Mucous membranes release considerable fluid as a defense against infection

What two groups of viruses are known to be associated with colds?

What two groups of viruses are known to be associated with colds?

Answer: Rhinoviruses and coronaviruses

What causes the common cold and why is it so difficult to find a cure?

What causes the common cold and why is it so difficult to find a cure?

Answer: Viruses, with more than a hundred having been identified

What are the four things you need to know to avoid colds?

What are the four things you need to know to avoid colds?

Answer:

1. Up to 100 times as many viruses are produced and shed from the nasal mucosa as from the throat
2. Few viruses are in the saliva of a person with a cold
3.Dried viruses survive on dry skin and non-porous surfaces for over 3 hours
4. Most cold viruses enter the body via nostrils or eyes

What active ingredient used in many cold medications has been used recreationally to produce psychoactive effects?

What active ingredient used in many cold medications has been used recreationally to produce psychoactive effects?

Answer: the cough suppressant dextromethorphan - robotripping

What are the three most common active ingredients in cold/flu medication?

What are the three most common active ingredients in cold/flu medication?

Answer:

1.Antihistamines (for temporary relief of runny nose and sneezing) Chlorpheniramine maleate
2.Sympathomimetic nasal decongestants (for temporary relief of swollen membranes in the nasal passages) Phenylephrine
3.Analgesic-antipyretics (for temporary relief of aches and pains and fever reduction) most commonly, Acetaminophen
*Also some contain the anti-tussive cough suppressant dextromethorphan

What was the controversy surrounding the NSAID Vioxx being pulled from the market by the FDA?

What was the controversy surrounding the NSAID Vioxx being pulled from the market by the FDA?

Answer: As an anti-inflammatory, Vioxx produced half as many gastric ulcers as non-specific inhibitors such as aspirin, and did not inhibit aggregation of blood platelets like aspirin, but Vioxx was pulled from the market when it became clear that Vioxx actually increased the risk of heart attack relative to placebo

What are the negative side effects of both acetaminophen and ibuprofen, not found with aspirin?

What are the negative side effects of both acetaminophen and ibuprofen, not found with aspirin?

Answer: Both acetaminophen and ibuprofen have been shown to produce liver damage (when taken in excess of recommended dose)

How is ibuprofen classified differently than aspirin or acetaminophen?

How is ibuprofen classified differently than aspirin or acetaminophen?

Answer: Ibuprofen acts as both an analgesic and an anti-inflammatory, and is classified as a NSAID, non steroidal anti-inflammatory drug

What are the adverse side effects of acetaminophen?

What are the adverse side effects of acetaminophen?

Answer: Overuse can cause liver disorders and has now surpassed aspirin for both drug-related emergency room visits and death in DAWN statistics

What is the difference between acetaminophen and aspirin?

What is the difference between acetaminophen and aspirin?

Answer: Acetaminophen (Tylenol and Datril) have the analgesic and antipyretic actions of aspirin, but it does not have the anti-inflammatory action of aspirin

What is the mechanism of the antipyretic action of aspirin?

What is the mechanism of the antipyretic action of aspirin?

Answer: A specific prostaglandin acts on the anterior hypothalamus to decrease heat dissipation through the normal procedures of sweating and dilation of peripheral blood vessels, but Aspirin blocks the synthesis of this prostaglandin in the anterior hypothalamus, and this is followed by increased heat loss.

What is the mechanism of the analgesic action of aspirin?

What is the mechanism of the analgesic action of aspirin?

Answer: Prostaglandins are local hormones that are manufactured and released when cell membranes are distorted and damages (injured). These prostaglandins act on the endings of the neurons that mediate pain in the injured areas, sensitizing the neurons to mechanical stimulation and to stimulation by two other local hormones, histamine and bradykinin (which are more slowly released from the damaged tissue). Aspirin blocks the synthesis of the prostaglandins by inhibiting two forms of the cyclooxygenase enzyme (COX-1 and COX-2), thus reducing pain.

On what list does aspirin along with acetaminophen and ibuprofen appear?

On what list does aspirin along with acetaminophen and ibuprofen appear?

Answer: DAWN's emergency room data, for accidental or deliberate poisonings

What is Reye's syndrome and how is it linked to aspirin?

What is Reye's syndrome and how is it linked to aspirin?

Answer: Reye's syndrome is a rare disease occurring in people under the age of 20 usually after a viral infection such as influenza or chicken pox with an overall mortality rate of 25%. Aspirin use for treating the discomfort of influenza and chicken pox can increase the risk of Reye's syndrome as much as 25 times.

How is the adverse effect of aspirin used to benefit certain populations?

How is the adverse effect of aspirin used to benefit certain populations?

Answer: The anticoagulant effects of aspirin has the potentially beneficial effect in preventing heart attacks and strokes