OTC Drugs, Herbal Remedies and Other Stuff Chapter 14
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Transcript OTC Drugs, Herbal Remedies and Other Stuff Chapter 14
OTC Drugs,
Herbal Remedies
and
Other Stuff
Chapter 14
Lecture Outline
OTC Drugs
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Herbal Remedies
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Antihistamines
Decongestants
Cough medicine
Analgesics
St. John’s Wort
Ephedra
Ginkgo Biloba
Ginseng
Other Supplements and Prescription Drugs
ADHD Treatments
Primarily treated with stimulants
– Ritalin (Methylphenidate)
– Concerta (a longer acting form of Ritalin)
– Adderal (amphetamine salts)
– Strattera (atomoxetine) - SNRI
Antihistamines
Used to treat allergies as well as dermatological
conditions
All block H1 (Histamine) receptor
– Histamine is an excitatory NT and mediates part of the
generalized immune response.
Drowsy vs. Non-drowsy
– Based on whether it crosses BBB
Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) – Crosses
Chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton) - Crosses
Allegra (Fexofenadine) – Doesn’t Cross
Claritin (Loratadine) – Doesn’t Cross
Zyrtec (Citirizine) – Doesn’t cross
Clemastine (Tavist) - Crosses
H2 receptor antagonists are Pepcid, Tagamet, Axid …
Anti-ulcer and Antacid drugs
Decongestants
Dilate bronchial passages by constricting blood
vessels in respiratory system
– Mediated by NE (Agonist)
Pseudoephedrine most common
Ephedrine once common
Activate SNS, but cross BBB weakly
Names
– Sudafed
– Actifed
– Dimetapp
Analgesics
Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory (NSAIDS)
Inhibit Prostaglandins and Proinflammatory
Cytokines through inhibition of COX enzymes
Names
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Acetylsalycillic Acid (Aspirin) – COX 1 & 2
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) – COX3
Motrin (Ibuprofen) – Cox 1 & 2
Alleve 1 & 2
Naprosin 1 & 2
Vioxx (Rofecoxib) 2
Celebrex (Relecoxib) 2
Not good to inhibit COX 1 = kidney and stomach
problems
OTC Sleep Aids
For temporary relief of insomnia
Vast majority contain antihistamines
– Benedryl
Tylenol PM
Unisom geltabs
Sominex
– Doxylamine
Unisom sleep tabs
Herbal Remedies
Derived from natural sources
Not currently regulated by FDA
Purity and potency are large issues
– Extraction of active ingredient can be a
problem
Currently popular
Have been around forever
St John’s Wort
Grows as an invasive weed
Hypericum
For mood disorder (We think this is what it does)
– Agonist of catecholamines
SSRI
Increases DA and GABA
Effective if one gets enough (mounting evidence is
good)
Speeds up metabolism of birth control pills and
antivirals
Induces photosensitivity
Ginseng
Extract from plant
Thought to induce a number of actions
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Anti-fatigue
Antioxidant
Lower cholesterol
Stimulant?
Headaches, insomnia, anxiety, breast soreness or
tenderness, skin rashes, asthma attacks, increased
blood pressure, diarrhea, euphoria, nervousness,
skin eruptions, heart palpitations, or postmenopausal uterine bleeding
Ginkgo Biloba
Increases blood flow to brain
Thought to increase memory and cognitive ability
Inhibits Platelet Activating Factor and induces
vasodilation
Few side effects. GI distress. Possibly some
problems with >2 years use
Effective for people with problems; may not have
much effect for “normals”
Ephedra
Ephedra, Ephedrine, Ma Huang
– Derived from plant source
NE agonist. Stimulates NE release and acts on
receptors
Typical sympathomimetic response
– Increase – HR, BP, Respiration, Glycogenesis and
Lypolysis
Does not cross BBB very well, so little CNS effect
Used for bronchial dilation, as well as weight loss
and narcolepsy in the past
Stroke and arrhythmia
Kava
Plant native to South Pacific
Used much like alcohol
GABA agonist
Associated with liver failure
The Moral
Look up the active ingredient
– What is it?
– What does it do?
Be aware of drug interactions
– Antagonism
– Synergism
– Intolerance
– Allergy