Adverse effects include: vaginal itching, burning, vaginal soreness, and swelling.
Avoid use: in patients taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), or for 2 weeks after discontinuation of an MAOI.
Use with caution in patients with a chronic cough that occurs with smoking, asthma, and emphysema and in patients with cough with production of mucus.
Adverse effects include: confusion, excitement, irritability, nervousness, and serotonin syndrome (uncommon).
For treatment of athlete’s foot, apply product to spaces between toes and change shoes and socks daily.
Topical vaginal antifungals should only be used for treatment of recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis in healthy, nonpregnant women who were previously diagnosed by a clinician.
Therapy should be discontinued if symptoms do not improve within 3 days or if symptoms persist after 7 days of treatment.
Vaginal products (7-day therapy preferred) can be used for treatment in pregnant women.
Products with similar brand names may contain different antifungal products; read labels and instructions for use carefully.
Condoms and diaphragms may be damaged by the products and fail to prevent pregnancy or sexually transmitted disease.
Dextromethorphan is a nonopioid congener of levorphanol without analgesic or addictive properties. Health care providers should be alert for problems of abuse or misuse.
Often used with antihistamines, decongestants, and expectorants in combination products.
Notify provider if symptoms do not improve in 7 days or are accompanied by fever, rash, or persistent headache.
TABLE 63–2 Ingredients of known efficacy for selected over-the-counter (OTC) classes. (Continued)
Decongestants, Phenylephrine systemic (Sudafed PE)
Polycarbophil, psyllium, and methylcellulose preparations (Citrucel, Fibercon, Metamucil) Temporary relief of sinus congestion and pressure. Temporarily relieves nasal congestion due to the common cold, hay fever, or other upper respiratory allergies.
To prevent pregnancy following unprotected intercourse or possible contraceptive failure.
Used to help loosen phlegm (mucus) and thin bronchial secretions to make cough more productive.
Temporary relief of occasional constipation and irregularity.
Avoid use: in patients taking an MAOI or for 2 weeks after stopping the MAOI. Use with caution in patients with heart disease; high blood pressure; diabetes; thyroid disease; trouble urinating due to an enlarged prostate gland.
Adverse effects include: arrhythmias, tachycardia, high blood pressure, anxiety, headache, dizziness, tremor, and insomnia.
Avoid use in the case of known or suspected pregnancy.
Adverse effects include: heavier menstrual bleeding, nausea, lower abdominal pain, fatigue, headache, dizziness, and breast tenderness.
Avoid use in children <2 years of age.
Adverse effects include: nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, and dizziness.
Avoid use in patients with difficulty swallowing.
Avoid use in patients with kidney disease.
May be found in combination with antihistamine, antitussives, expectorants, and analgesic products.
Extended-release pseudoephedrine products should not be used in children <12 years of age.
Federal regulations established to discourage the illicit manufacture of methamphetamine specify that all drug products containing pseudoephedrine must be stored in locked cabinets or behind the pharmacy counter and can only be sold in limited quantities to consumers after they provide photo identification and are entered into a registry.
Available only by prescription for women <17 years of age.
Should be taken as soon as possible within 72 hours after unprotected intercourse.
If vomiting occurs within 2 hours of taking the tablet, the dose may need to be repeated.