Nov 2, 2009 6:49 pm US/Eastern
HealthWatch: Over-The-Counter Medication
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
Cold and flu season is nothing to sneeze at, but hitting the drugstore for relief is enough to leave even the most educated consumers confused. There are so many choices, and it's easy to reach for a one-size-fits-all remedy, but that's rarely the best approach.
Alexis Fabricant is no stranger to sore throats and stuffy noses. "I definitely come down with a cold at least once a year, sometimes twice a year."
But when she hits the drugstore for over-the-counter relief, its enough to make her dizzy. The shelves are stocked with everything from pills to syrups to sprays. Some with just one active ingredient and others with more than three.
"I end up usually picking too many, or spending too much money, or just spending 20 minutes in the aisles," she said..
Dr. Steven Pray says shoppers are often confused during cold and flu season, but fears this year will be even worse. "This year will be unique because of the regular flu, but then the great scare about swine flu.
People are going to be grabbing everything they can grab."
Many simply reach for a multi-symptom pack, but those three or four ingredients listed are not always needed. Confused shoppers may also be over-medicating.
"You may take a product that's multi-symptom for colds and then also take another product, say, for headaches, and both products contain acetaminophen," said pharmacist Jan Engle.
Patients also risk over-medication by taking more than the recommended dose.
"I feel like I'm not feeling well. I end up taking another spoonful of cough syrup," Fabricant said.
Overdosing can have serious side effects, including increased drowsiness, high blood pressure, confusion, and even liver damage and hallucinations.
"over-the-counter medicines are powerful, but they're only safe when taken as directed," Engle said.
Only buy a multi-symptom medication if you truly have all of the symptoms listed on the box. Otherwise, go for single ingredient products.
"With buying those single ingredient products, they can tailor therapy to themselves at that particular time," Pray said.
One important thing to remember: ask your pharmacist and doctor questions before making your purchase at the drugstore.
over-the-counter drugs can interact with other medicines and pre-existing conditions. Also the drugs may make you feel better, but they don't make you less contagious.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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