Excellence in Care:
Over-the-Counter Drugs Update
Renee Acosta, RPh
INDEPENDENT STUDY
Health Professions Institute
for Continuing Education
Austin Community College
The Austin Community College
Health Professions Institute, Continuing Education
5930 Middle Fiskville Road, Austin, TX 78752
INDEPENDENT STUDY: Excellence in Care: Over-the-Counter Drugs Update
Description and Purpose: Renee Acosta, RPh, appears with Elizabeth Huss RN, BSN, coordinator with
the Health Professions Institute of Austin Community College, to discuss how non-prescriptive drugs
(over-the-counter) are regulated and marketed to the general public. The presentation will also provide
up to date information pertaining to common over-the-counter remedies (cold/allergy medications,
drugs for constipation/diarrhea, some homeopathic and herbal remedies) and precautions to be aware
of when counseling health consumers. Ms. Acosta is an instructor for the School of Pharmacy at the
University of Texas at Austin and developer of the Pharmacy Technician Program at Austin Community
College as well as a published author.
The purpose of this activity is to enrich the participant’s contribution to quality healthcare and the
pursuit of professional career goals by providing updated information on the use, interaction concerns,
and precautions needed in the use of over-the-counter drugs.
This offering is a self-paced learning activity developed to meet the individual needs of nurses, social
workers, and emergency medical services personnel requiring continuing education for relicensure.
Goals and Objectives: Upon completion of this activity, the student will be able to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Define over-the-counter (OTC) drugs.
Describe the monograph process and its significance to OTC drugs.
Identify six (6) categories of OTC drugs.
Compare homeopathic and herbal products.
Contrast homeopathic and herbal products.
Describe the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) guidelines for the diagnosis and
management of a cough.
7. Identify two (2) products available for constipation including dosage and mechanism of
function.
8. Identify two (2) products used for dyspepsia and considerations for usage.
Requirements for Successful Completion:
To successfully complete this activity and earn continuing education hours the participant must:
1. Complete the pre-test
2. View the video
3. Complete the post-test (score an 80 or more)
4. And, complete the evaluation
NOTE: Following the viewing of the video and completing the accompanying documents, questions
may be addressed by contacting Elizabeth Huss @ 512-223-7271 or [email protected] submit all
of the documents (pre/post-test, evaluation) along with your completed Registration Form (check or
credit card), and payment to:
Austin Community College
Health Professions Institute
Attn: Online Nursing Videos
5930 Middle Fiskville Rd.
Austin, TX 78752
Fax: 512-223-7030
Within two business weeks from receipt of your material at ACC, your certificate of completion will
be available (to be mailed, fax, or picked up at the above address … your choice).
Upon successful completion participants will be awarded a certificate of successful completion worth
2.0 contact hours.
Austin Community College is an approved provider of continuing nursing education by the Texas
Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s
Commission on Accreditation.
Contact hours for programs applicable to social work are approved for CEU’s by the Texas State Board
of Social Worker Examiners. This program is worth 2.0 contact hours or 0.2 continuing education
units (CEU’s).
Continuing education for Emergency Medical Personnel is approved by the Texas Department of
State Health Services. This program is worth 2.0 TDH (P) contact hours.
Disclosure to Attendees: The presenters and planning committee members for this offering have
completed Conflict of Interest forms and it has been determined that no conflict of interest exists or
has been indentified in relation to this offering.
Commercial Support: This offering has not received any commercial support.
Non-endorsement of products: The discussion of generic or brand name items or medications does
not constitute endorsement by the American Nurses Credential Center’s Commission on
Accreditation (ANCC), the Texas Nurses Association (TNA) or Austin Community College.
Off-Label Use: Off-label use of medications refers to the prescribing of medications to treat a
condition for which the medication has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
Medications presented in this activity will only be discussed in the context of their Federal Drug
Administration (FDA) approval.
This program will expire April 2, 2014
Printed Name:______________________________
Date:_______________
Address:__________________________________
Instructions: After watching the video, complete this post-test. Choose the best answer by circling
the letter corresponding to your choice. Submit this post-test only with your pre-test, completed
evaluation, registration, and payment to:
Austin Community College
Health Professions Institute
Attn: Online Nursing Videos
5930 Middle Fiskville Rd.
Austin, TX 78752
Fax: 512-223-7030
Pre-Test: Over-the-Counter Drugs Update
1. “Appropriate for the prevention, treatment, symptomatic relief, or cure of diseases, injuries, and
other conditions that consumers can self-diagnose and treat with or without the assistance of
pharmacists or other healthcare professionals” is the definition of:
a. Homeopathic medications
b. Generic medication
c. Over –the-Counter drugs
d. Herbal Remedies and Dietary Supplements
e. None of the above
f. All of the above
2. The Monograph Process:
a. Considers the therapeutic classes of drugs
b. Is used to simplify identifying the choices for OTC drugs
c. Considers the safety and effectiveness of the active ingredients of drugs for the choices of OTC
drugs.
d. All of the above
e. None of the above
3. Which of the following instituted the drug approval process?
a. Patriot Act
b. Prescription Drug Amendment (1951)
c. Food, Drug, Cosmetic Act of 1938
d. None of the above
4. Which of the following defined drugs as either over-the-counter or prescription?
a. Patriot Act
b. Prescription Drug Amendment (1951)
c. Food, Drug, Cosmetic Act of 1938
d. None of the above
5. What category of OTC medication is diluted by definition?
a. Dietary supplement
b. Herbal remedies
c. Homeopathic
d. Bulk laxative
6. All of the following are true about product line extensions EXCEPT:
a. Product line extensions are a variation of an existing product.
b. Healthcare professionals must be familiar with product line extensions so they can appropriately
advise a client on what to buy.
c. Healthcare professionals must ask clients the specific products they are taking when conducting a
medication history.
d. None of the above
7. The American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) recommends the following for the diagnosis and
management of an acute cough associated with allergies or cold:
a. Use of 1st generation antihistamine
b. Use of dextromethorphan
c. both a and b
d. neither a nor b
8. Trends discussed in the video regarding Over-the-Counter (OTC) medications are:
a. OTC medications are a money maker for the companies that make and produce them.
b. The OTC medication market is expected to grow.
c. Increasingly more individuals are self medicating.
d. All of the above
9. In an effort to reduce illegal methamphetamine labs, part of the Patriot Act:
a. Required phenylephrine to be substituted in place of pseudoephedrine.
b. Required pseudoephedrine containing products to be shelved behind the counter of pharmacies.
c. a and b
d. None of the above
10. Important information for the healthcare professional to be aware of regarding Echinacea is:
a. use is common, individuals can have allergic reactions, effectiveness in prevention of the cold is not
proven.
b. use is common, there is consistent data supporting effectiveness in the prevention of the cold.
c. use is uncommon, individuals cannot have allergic reactions, effectiveness in prevention of the cold
is not proven.
d. use is common and it is completely safe to use.
11. Important information for the healthcare professional to be aware of regarding Zinc is:
a. Recommended for prophylaxis, can begin use after 48 hours of onset of cold symptoms
b. Not recommended for prophylaxis, can begin use after 48 hours of onset of cold symptoms
c. Not recommended for prophylaxis, begin use within 24-48 hours of onset of cold symptoms
d. Recommended for prophylaxis, has been shown to have a moderate effect in decreasing the
duration of the cold.
12. Considerations for stool softeners include the following:
a. They take effect usually within 12-72 hours
b. Individuals should be advised to take plenty of fluids
c. Surfak is now called Kaopectate
d. All of the above
13. Cautions for the use of zinc include:
a. Anosmia with intranasal administration, metallic taste, can cause diarrhea
b. Metallic taste, nausea, anosmia with intranasal administration
c. Anosmia with intranasal administration, metallic taste
d. Metallic taste, headache, nausea, diarrhea
14. What is the appropriate dosing schedule (per the FDA) for individuals taking both ibuprofen and
low dose aspirin?
a. Ibuprofen 30 minutes or longer after taking aspirin.
b. Ibuprofen 8 hours before taking aspirin.
c. both a and b
d. a only
15. When recommending a bulk-forming laxative, the healthcare professional should:
a. Consider the variety of doses available.
b. Consider the variety of dosage forms.
c. Neither a nor b
d. Both a and b
Excellence in Care: Over-the-Counter Drugs Update
Program Outline
Written:
I. Pre-Test
DVD Presentation:
II. Introduction to Over-the-Counter Drugs
A. Availability
B. Definition
C. History of Over-the-Counter Drugs
D. Categories of Over-the-Counter Drugs
E. The Monograph Process
III. Labeling
A. Old labeling
B. New labeling
IV. Dietary Supplements, Homeopathic Medications, Herbal Remedies
A. Introduction
B. Definitions
C. Labeling
D. Government Regulation
V. Trends in Over-the-Counter Drugs
A. Economic/market growth up
B. Emphasis/desire on self-medicating
C. Current statistics
D. Healthcare professional implications
VI. Cough, Cold, Allergy
A. Pseudoephedrine behind the counter- Patriot Act
B. Pseudoephedrine replaced by phenylephrine
C. Dosing differences
D. Symptom guidelines for diagnosis and management
E. Specific Over-the-Counter drugs for cold, cough, allergy
VII. Constipation
A. Considerations for choosing the right product
B. Stool Softeners
C. Bulk-forming laxatives
VIII. Diarrhea & Over-the-Counter products
A. Over-the-Counter vs. prescription
B. Considerations/cautions
IX. Antacids
A. Dosage forms, dosing, active ingredients
B. Considerations/Cautions
X. H2 Antagonists & Proton Pump Inhibitors
A. Dosage
B. Cautions
Written:
VI. Post-Test
VII. Evaluation
Evaluation
Title of Education Activity: Excellence in Care: Over-the-Counter Drugs Update
Location: DVD Video Format
Date: Participants check out and complete on own time
Purpose of this activity: The purpose of this activity is to enrich the participant’s contribution to
quality healthcare and the pursuit of professional career goals by providing updated information on
the use, interaction concerns, and precautions needed in the use of over-the-counter drugs.
Directions/Instructions: Please complete this evaluation questionnaire. Your anonymous
responses will be used to revise this activity and to plan future educational activities. Circle the
number that best fits your evaluation of this activity.
1 = Not at all
2 = Somewhat
3 = Almost completely
4 = Completely
1. Rate your achievement of these objectives:
a. Define Over-the-Counter drugs (OTC).
1
2
3
4
b. Describe the monograph process and its significance.
1
2
3
4
c. Identify six (6) categories of Over-the-Counter drugs.
1
2
3
4
d. Compare homeopathic and herbal products.
1
2
3
4
e. Contrast homeopathic and herbal products.
1
2
3
4
f. Describe the guidelines for the diagnosis and management
1
of a cough according to the American College of Chest Physicians.
2
3
4
g. Discuss two (2) types of products available OTC for
constipation, including dosage and mechanical function.
1
2
3
4
h. List two (2) types of products (OTC) used for dyspepsia
and considerations for usage.
1
2
3
4
2. Rate the effectiveness of the teaching/learning resources?
1
2
3
4
1
1
1
2
2
2
3
3
3
4
4
4
3. Please evaluate the guest speaker- Renee Acosta, RPh
a. Knowledge and currency of topic
b. Ability to make points clear
c. Ability to apply content to practice
Evaluation (OTC Drugs Update) Con’t- page 2 of 2
4. Please evaluate the moderator- Elizabeth Huss RN, BSN
a. Guides the discussion
b. Asks pertinent questions
c. Fosters clarification of presented information
5. Were the objectives relevant to the overall purpose?
(see above)
1
1
1
2
2
2
3
3
3
4
4
4
1
2
3
4
5. How long (in minutes) did it take you to complete the entire activity (including taking the pretest, watching the video, taking the post-test, and completing this evaluation tool)? ________
Minutes
6. List two (2) ways you will integrate what you learned in this activity into your practice and/or
employment environment.
8. The following were disclosed prior to the beginning of this activity either in writing or verbally?
a. Requirements for successful completion
b. Conflicts of Interest
c. Commercial Support
d. Non-endorsement of Products
e. Off-label Use
9. Did you, as a participant, notice any bias that was not previously
presentation?
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
disclosed in this
Yes
No
If “Yes”, please describe who was biased and how.
10. Comments: If you answered (1) to any of the above, please comment.
11. Please list any suggestions or topics for future programming.
No
No
No
No
No
Printed Name:
Date:
Instructions: After watching the video, complete this post-test. Choose the best answer by circling
the letter corresponding to your choice. Submit this post-test only with your pre-test, completed
evaluation, registration, and payment to:
Austin Community College
Health Professions Institute
Attn: Online Nursing Videos
5930 Middle Fiskville Rd.
Austin, TX 78752
Fax: 512-223-7030
Post-Test: Over-the-Counter Drugs Update
1. “Appropriate for the prevention, treatment, symptomatic relief, or cure of diseases, injuries, and
other conditions that consumers can self-diagnose and treat with or without the assistance of
pharmacists or other healthcare professionals” is the definition of:
a. Homeopathic medications
b. Generic medication
c. Over –the-Counter drugs
d. Herbal Remedies and Dietary Supplements
e. None of the above
f. All of the above
2. The Monograph Process:
a. Considers the therapeutic classes of drugs
b. Is used to simplify identifying the choices for OTC drugs
c. Considers the safety and effectiveness of the active ingredients of drugs for the choices of OTC
drugs.
d. All of the above
e. None of the above
3. Which of the following instituted the drug approval process?
a. Patriot Act
b. Prescription Drug Amendment (1951)
c. Food, Drug, Cosmetic Act of 1938
d. None of the above
4. Which of the following defined drugs as either over-the-counter or prescription?
a. Patriot Act
b. Prescription Drug Amendment (1951)
c. Food, Drug, Cosmetic Act of 1938
d. None of the above
5. What category of OTC medication is diluted by definition?
a. Dietary supplement
b. Herbal remedies
c. Homeopathic
d. Bulk laxative
6. All of the following are true about product line extensions EXCEPT:
a. Product line extensions are a variation of an existing product.
b. Healthcare professionals must be familiar with product line extensions so they can appropriately
advise a client on what to buy.
c. Healthcare professionals must ask clients the specific products they are taking when conducting a
medication history.
d. None of the above
7. The American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) recommends the following for the diagnosis and
management of an acute cough associated with allergies or cold:
a. Use of 1st generation antihistamine
b. Use of dextromethorphan
c. both a and b
d. neither a nor b
8. Trends discussed in the video regarding Over-the-Counter (OTC) medications are:
a. OTC medications are a money maker for the companies that make and produce them.
b. The OTC medication market is expected to grow.
c. Increasingly more individuals are self medicating.
d. All of the above
9. In an effort to reduce illegal methamphetamine labs, part of the Patriot Act:
a. Required phenylephrine to be substituted in place of pseudoephedrine.
b. Required pseudoephedrine containing products to be shelved behind the counter of pharmacies.
c. a and b
d. None of the above
10. Important information for the healthcare professional to be aware of regarding Echinacea is:
a. use is common, individuals can have allergic reactions, effectiveness in prevention of the cold is not
proven.
b. use is common, there is consistent data supporting effectiveness in the prevention of the cold.
c. use is uncommon, individuals cannot have allergic reactions, effectiveness in prevention of the cold
is not proven.
d. use is common and it is completely safe to use.
11. Important information for the healthcare professional to be aware of regarding Zinc is:
a. Recommended for prophylaxis, can begin use after 48 hours of onset of cold symptoms
b. Not recommended for prophylaxis, can begin use after 48 hours of onset of cold symptoms
c. Not recommended for prophylaxis, begin use within 24-48 hours of onset of cold symptoms
d. Recommended for prophylaxis, has been shown to have a moderate effect in decreasing the
duration of the cold.
12. Considerations for stool softeners include the following:
a. They take effect usually within 12-72 hours
b. Individuals should be advised to take plenty of fluids
c. Surfak is now called Kaopectate
d. All of the above
13. Cautions for the use of zinc include:
a. Anosmia with intranasal administration, metallic taste, can cause diarrhea
b. Metallic taste, nausea, anosmia with intranasal administration
c. Anosmia with intranasal administration, metallic taste
d. Metallic taste, headache, nausea, diarrhea
14. What is the appropriate dosing schedule (per the FDA) for individuals taking both ibuprofen and
low dose aspirin?
a. Ibuprofen 30 minutes or longer after taking aspirin.
b. Ibuprofen 8 hours before taking aspirin.
c. both a and b
d. a only
15. When recommending a bulk-forming laxative, the healthcare professional should:
a. Consider the variety of doses available.
b. Consider the variety of dosage forms.
c. Neither a nor b
d. Both a and b