Week 4 discussion

Over-the-Counter Drugs

Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic processes differ among
patients across their life spans. For geriatric patients, alterations due to
aging make them especially prone to adverse drug reactions. The various health
issues that affect many geriatric patients further complicate this, as the need
to treat these multiple health issues often results in polypharmacy. Although
treatments are frequently drugs prescribed by the health care provider, many
geriatric patients also take over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. While the provider
sometimes recommends these OTC drugs, patients often select the drugs on their
own. This makes patient education on pharmacology key when caring for geriatric
patients. Many patients assume that if drugs are available over the counter,
then they are safe to take. However, due to issues related to polypharmacy and
how their aging bodies process drugs, OTC drugs may have serious implications
for patients.

To prepare:

Review the American Geriatrics Society article and
interactive media piece in this week’s Learning Resources.

Select one of the following over-the-counter drugs commonly
used by geriatric patients:

Antacids or acid suppressants

Antidiarrheal

Antihistamines

Antimicrobial ointments

Antispasmodics for the bladder

Cough suppressants

Laxatives

Neutraceuticals (choose one; e.g., ginseng, St. John’s wart,
etc.)

Pain medications (choose one; e.g., acetaminophen,
ibuprofen, rub-on pain ointments/patches, etc.)

Supplements (choose one; e.g., calcium, iron, etc.)

Vaginal creams

Research the over-the-counter drug you selected. Visit a
local pharmacy and explore the types/varieties of the drug that are available.
Reflect on the ingredients in each type/variety, including additional active
ingredients.

Consult with the pharmacist about the ingredients in each
type/variety, including how to make safe and effective clinical decisions in
relation to this drug. Discuss potential interactions in frail elders and
precautions related to the drug based on Beers Criteria. If one is available,
you may consult with a pharmacist at your practicum site as an alternative to
visiting a pharmacy.

Consider ways to educate elders about the OTC drug you
selected.

Post on or before Day 5 a PowerPoint presentation that
addresses the following:

Describe the over-the-counter drug that you selected.

Identify the types/varieties of the drug that are available.
Describe the ingredients in each type/variety including additional active
ingredients.

Explain the key information that you need to know about this
OTC drug to make safe and effective clinical decisions. Include potential
interactions in frail elders and describe any precautions related to the drug
based on Beers Criteria.

Explain how you would educate elders about the OTC drug you
selected.

Read a selection of your colleagues’ responses.

Respond on or before Day 7 to at least two of your
colleagues on two different days in one or more of the ways listed below.
Respond to colleagues who selected a different drug than you did.

Suggest additional interactions in frail elders that may be
caused by the ingredients in your colleagues’ drugs.

Provide insights to drug-drug interactions between the drug
you selected and the drugs your colleagues selected.

Validate an idea with your own clinical experiences and
additional literature search.

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