<h4>Background</h4> Warfarin use can trigger the occurrence of bleeding independently or as a result of a drug-drug interaction when used in combination with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).<h4>Objectives</h4> This article examines the risk of bleeding in individuals exposed to concomitant warfarin and NSAID compared with those taking warfarin alone (Prospero Registry ID 145237).<h4>Methods</h4> PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched. The primary outcome of interest was gastrointestinal bleeding and general bleeding. Summary effects were calculated to estimate average treatment effect using random effects models. Heterogeneity was assessed using Cochran's <i>Q</i> and <i>I</i> ². Risk of bias was also assessed using the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality bias assessment tool.<h4>Results</h4> A total of 651 studies were identified, of which 11 studies met inclusion criteria for meta-analysis. The odds ratio (OR) for gastrointestinal bleeding when exposed to warfarin and an NSAID was 1.98 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.55-2.53). The risk of gastrointestinal bleeding was also significantly elevated with exposure to a COX-2 inhibitor and warfarin relative to warfarin alone (OR = 1.90, 95% CI: 1.46-2.46). There was an increased risk of general bleeding with the combination of warfarin with NSAIDs (OR = 1.58, 95% CI: 1.18-2.12) or COX-2 inhibitors (OR = 1.54, 95% CI: 0.86-2.78) compared with warfarin alone.<h4>Conclusion</h4> Risk of bleeding is significantly increased among persons taking warfarin and a NSAID or COX-2 inhibitor together as compared with taking warfarin alone. It is important to caution patients about taking these medications in combination.

Paracetamol (acetaminophen) and ibuprofen are the most frequently purchased over-the-counter (OTC) medicines for children. Parents purchase these medicines for the treatment of fever and pain. In some countries other NSAIDs such as aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) and dipyrone are available. We aimed to perform a narrative review of the efficacy and toxicity of OTC analgesic medicines for children in order to give guidance to health professionals and parents regarding the treatment of pain in a child. Neither aspirin nor dipyrone are recommended for OTC use because of the association with Reye's syndrome for the former and the risk of agranulocytosis for the latter. Both paracetamol and ibuprofen are effective for the treatment of mild pain in children. Adverse effects with both medicines are infrequent. Ibuprofen is an NSAID and therefore there is a greater risk of gastrointestinal adverse effects and hypersensitivity. Aspirin and dipyrone should be avoided. Paracetamol is the drug of first choice for mild pain in children because of its favourable safety profile. For the treatment of significant musculoskeletal pain, ibuprofen is the drug of first choice. Balancing the Risks and Benefits of the Use of Over-the-Counter Pain Medications in Children | Drug Safety | Springer Nature Link Skip to main content Advertisement Balancing the Risks and Benefits of the Use of Over-the-Counter Pain Medications in Children Review Article Published: 13 December 2012 Volume 35 , pages 1119–1125 ( 2012 ) Cite this article Save article View saved research Drug Safety Aims and scope Submit manuscript Abstract Paracetamol (acetaminophen) and ibuprofen are the most frequently purchased over-the-counter (OTC) medicines for children. Parents purchase these medicines for the treatment of fever and pain. In some countries other NSAIDs such as aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) and dipyrone are available. We aimed to perform a narrative review of the efficacy and toxicity of OTC analgesic medicines for children in order to give guidance to health professionals and parents regarding the treatment of pain in a child. Neither aspirin nor dipyrone are recommended for OTC use because of the association with Reye’s syndrome for the former and the risk of agranulocytosis for the latter. Both paracetamol and ibuprofen are effective for the treatment of mild pain in children. Adverse effects with both medicines are infrequent. Ibuprofen is an NSAID and therefore there is a greater risk of gastrointestinal adverse effects and hypersensitivity. Aspirin and dipyrone should be avoided. Paracetamol is the drug of first choice for mild pain in children because of its favourable safety profile. For the treatment of significant musculoskeletal pain, ibuprofen is the drug of first choice. This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access. Drug Therapy Oral analgesics Pain management Pain Medicine Pediatrics Pharmacotherapy References Nydert P, Kimland E, Kull I. Over-the-counter drug use: estimations within the Swedish paediatric population. Eur J Pediatr 2011; 170: 583–8 Article PubMed Google Scholar Trajanovska M, Manias E, Cranswick N, et al. Use of over-the-counter medicines for young children in Australia. J Paediatr Child Health 2010; 46: 5–9 Article PubMed Google Scholar Duncan P, Aref-Adib G, Venn A, et al. Use and misuse of aspirin in rural Ethiopia. East Afr Med J 2006; 83: 31–6 PubMed CAS Google Scholar Donald K, Hall S, Seaton C, et al. Is non-therapeutic aspirin use in children a problem in South Africa? Adverse drug reactions in children in Camagüey Province, Cuba. Arch Dis Child 2010; 95: 474–7 Article PubMed Google Scholar Rumack BH. Acetaminophen overdose in young children: treatment and effects of alcohol and other additional ingestants in 417 cases. Am J Dis Child 1984; 138: 428–33 Article PubMed CAS Google Scholar Alander SW, Dowd MD, Bratton SL, et al. Pediatric acetaminophen overdose: risk factors associated with hepatocellular injury. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2000; 154: 346–50 Article PubMed CAS Google Scholar Rivera-Penera T, Gugig R, Davis J, et al. Outcome of acetaminophen overdose in pediatric patients and factors contributing to hepatotoxicity. Chest 2009; 136: 1316–23 Article PubMed Google Scholar Wickens K, Beasley R, Town I, et al. The effects of early and late paracetamol exposure on asthma and atopy: a birth cohort. Clin Exp Allergy 2011; 41: 399–406 Article PubMed CAS Google Scholar Foliaki S, Pearce N, Björkstén B, et al. Antibiotic use in infancy and symptoms of asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis, and eczema in children 6 and 7 years old. International Study of Asthma and Allegies in Childhood Phase III. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2009; 124: 982–9 Article PubMed CAS Google Scholar Tapiainen T, Dunder T, Möttönen M, et al. Adolescents with asthma or atopic eczema have more febrile days in early childhood: a possible explanation for the connection between paracetamol and asthma? J Allergy Clin Immunol 2010; 125: 751–2 Article PubMed CAS Google Scholar Schnabel E, Heinrich J, LISA Study Group. Respiratory tract infections and not paracetamol medication during infancy are associated with asthma development in childhood. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2010; 126: 1071–3 Article PubMed Google Scholar Oddy WH, de Klerk NH, Sly PD, et al. The effects of respiratory infections, atopy, and breastfeeding on childhood asthma. Eur Respir J 2002; 19: 899–905 Article PubMed CAS Google Scholar Jackson DJ, Gangnon RE, Evans MD, et al. Balancing the Risks and Benefits of the Use of Over-the-Counter Pain Medications in Children. Drug Saf 35 , 1119–1125 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03261998 Download citation Published : 13 December 2012 Issue date : December 2012 DOI : https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03261998 Share this article Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content: Get shareable link Sorry, a shareable link is not currently available for this article.

<h4>Background</h4>Self-medication refers to individuals using over-the-counter (OTC) medications to manage self-diagnosed health issues or symptoms without professional medical guidance. Although OTC medications are generally considered safe and effective, significant knowledge gaps and safety risks persist among adolescents when using these drugs. This study aims to explore the self-medication behaviors of adolescents in China regarding OTC medications and the influencing factors.<h4>Objective</h4>This study explores adolescent self-medication strategies for OTC drug use through multi-setting surveys in hospitals, pharmacies, and schools, aiming to enhance understanding of adolescents' medication behaviors and improve awareness of safe medication practices.<h4>Methods</h4>This cross-sectional study distributed data via questionnaires from adolescents aged 12 to 18 between August 2023 and August 2024. The questionnaire included demographic information, health status, OTC medication usage patterns, motivations for use, knowledge of OTC drugs, and purchasing behaviors. A total of 600 questionnaires were distributed, and after logical consistency checks, 573 valid questionnaires were included in the final analysis.<h4>Results</h4>The study found that 97.5% of adolescents used OTC medications in the past year, with 52.5% using them 1-2 times, 31% using them 3-5 times, and 14% using them more than 5 times. However, 23.75% lacked knowledge of proper usage, 25.67% misunderstood antibiotic use, 6.67% were unaware of adverse reactions, and 9.17% did not recognize Traditional Chinese Medicine side effects.<h4>Conclusion</h4>This study highlights common self-medication among adolescents with significant knowledge gaps on OTC drugs and side effects. It calls for better health education, especially in schools, and a more active role for pharmacists and healthcare professionals. Regulatory bodies should enhance oversight, and future research should explore OTC traditional Chinese medicines and social adaptability.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely used for pain and inflammation but are associated with gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. While this risk is well established, most studies evaluate NSAIDs as a homogenous class, limiting clinical decision-making based on individual agent safety. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to quantify the risk of GI bleeding associated with individual NSAIDs. We searched PubMed from inception through January 2025 using MeSH and free-text terms for "gastrointestinal bleeding" and nine commonly used NSAIDs. A random effects meta-analysis was conducted to estimate the pooled odds ratios (ORs) for GI bleeding, with hazard ratios (HRs) and relative risks (RRs) treated as approximations of ORs due to the rare event nature of GI bleeding. Of 6,711 records screened, 25 studies met the inclusion criteria. Substantial heterogeneity in study design, populations, and outcome ascertainment was observed. Celecoxib was associated with the lowest risk of GI bleeding (OR 1.16, 95% CI: 0.84-1.61). Among non-selective NSAIDs, ibuprofen had the lowest significant risk (OR 2.28, 95% CI: 1.71-3.03), while ketorolac showed the highest risk (OR 20.67, 95% CI: 14.56-29.34). Other agents, such as piroxicam and meloxicam, also demonstrated significantly elevated risks. The risk of GI bleeding varies widely among individual NSAIDs. Celecoxib appears to have the lowest GI risk, though cardiovascular safety must also be considered. These findings highlight the need for personalized NSAID selection and suggest that NSAIDs should not be treated as a uniform class when assessing bleeding risk. To improve patient outcomes and reduce adverse events, future prescribing guidelines and predictive tools should stratify NSAIDs based on GI safety profiles rather than generalize across the class. Nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely used medications that reduce inflammation, alleviate pain, and decrease fever. They manage mild to moderate pain associated with dysmenorrhea, headaches, and musculoskeletal injuries. 1 , 2 Additionally, they are prescribed to reduce inflammation in chronic conditions like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, where managing inflammation can help maintain joint function and relieve pain. 3 They work by inhibiting the activity of cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes, which play a crucial role in synthesizing prostaglandins, which are involved in the inflammatory response. 4 The use of NSAIDs, both by prescription and over‐the‐counter (OTC), is highly prevalent. Use of NSAIDs among patients in ambulatory care settings has increased over the years, despite national recommendations to minimize use. 5 For instance, between 2006 and 2016, In addition to COX inhibition, NSAIDs can induce direct damage to the intestinal epithelium by increasing permeability and instability of the epithelial barrier. 9 The risk of upper GI bleeding can increase up to fourfold in NSAID users, and this risk is compounded when NSAIDs are used in conjunction with other medications, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). 10 , 11 , 12 However, a significant issue in the existing literature is the relatively small number of studies that have focused on individual NSAIDs 11 ; many studies treat the entire class of NSAIDs as a homogeneous category. Risk estimate and meta‐analysis The results of the random effects meta‐analysis for all NSAIDs are shown in Figure 2 , with Figure 3 providing details for each NSAID. Celecoxib, a selective COX‐2 inhibitor, was not associated with an increase in the risk of GI bleeding with a pooled OR of 1.16 (95% CI: 0.84: 1.61, prediction interval 0.56: 2.42). In a sensitivity analysis excluding the Bhala et al . study (an IPD meta‐analysis), the pooled estimate for celecoxib remained non‐significant and slightly attenuated, with an OR of 1.04 (95% CI: 0.78–1.38), and heterogeneity was reduced from 51.4% to 26.4% ( Figure S1 ). Figure 2 Overall results from meta‐analysis. However, key demographic details like age, sex, and race were frequently underreported, limiting our ability to assess subgroup effects across populations. Exposure definitions varied across publications with some studies classifying NSAID use as current or recent based on prescription timing (e.g., within 7–30 days before bleeding); others used self‐reported data or cumulative supply duration. GIB outcomes were captured differently—some studies relied on administrative codes (i.e., ICD‐9 or ICD‐10), others used endoscopy‐confirmed diagnoses, or chart reviews. This variability in outcome definitions may partly explain differences in reported risk estimates. However, individual risk–benefit assessments should still guide their use, including the patient’s cardiovascular risk and overall clinical judgment. 49 , 50 Using medications to reduce GIB like proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) can further mitigate risks. 51 , 52 Moreover, non‐pharmacological pain management approaches, such as physical therapy or acupuncture, may be considered as an alternative to or reduce the use of NSAIDs. 53 , 54 , 55 For localized pain, topical NSAIDs like diclofenac gel may offer effective relief, lower systemic absorption, and reduce gastrointestinal risks. 56 In this review, GI bleeding was the primary outcome of interest. 13 , 58 This evidence supports our findings that treating NSAIDs as a single therapeutic class may lead to an underestimation of the risk associated with specific agents and is a missed opportunity to provide more patient‐tailored treatment guidance. Other studies compared the risk of GI bleeding when NSAIDs are used in combination with other medications known to increase the risk of bleeding, such as anticoagulants and SSRIs. 10 , 12 While this approach provides valuable insights into the synergistic effect of NSAIDs with other therapies, the reports commonly group NSAIDs together and make it challenging to evaluate unique product combinations.

An obstacle to ECP use is lack of knowledge due to lack of Food and Drug Administration approval of Ovral and Danazol and physician concern for legal liability. Another obstacle consists in the logistics of obtaining ECPs and the fear of side effects. Provision of ECP kits with 3-5 regimens in clinic or physician offices is proposed for women without contraindications. Anticipated objections are reported to be encouragement of contraceptive risk taking, the health risks of repeated use, restrictions in Title X programs, and the drug effect on fertilization. Another proposal is to sell ECPs as over the counter drugs or in vending machines and changing US contraceptive prescription laws. Objections to elimination of the physician prescription requirement might be an increase in use among women with contraindications and a decrease in regular checkups and Pap tests. The objections could be overcome with proper package labeling. Paternalism is not a sufficient justification for requiring prescription of contraceptives and medical visits. ECPs, in fact, are already available as low dose contraceptives such as Lo/Ovral, Nordette, Levlen, Triphasil, and Tri-Levlen when 4 pills are used.

This review article focuses on two main topics: the use and impact of over-the-counter (OTC) medications, and the management of osteoarthritis (OA). For OTC medications, the article highlights their increasing prevalence and economic significance from 2020 to 2023. The prevalence of OTC medication usage rose significantly from 37.7% in 2020 to 85.4% in 2023, with a similar upward trend in economic impact, reaching 79.6% in 2023. The safety of these medications is compared with other agents, particularly multivitamins, which are deemed safer and more effective. The article examines a variety of OTC medications including those for colds, allergies, digestive issues, pain, and more, concluding that in 2023, OTC medications are not only more commonly used but also carry significant economic weight. It critically reviews various treatment options, advocating for a multidisciplinary and multimodal approach. This includes patient education, pharmaceuticals, alternative medicine, surgery, and physical therapy, among others. The article emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis, prevention, and a tailored treatment plan. It advocates for healthcare professionals to have a comprehensive understanding of OA management, stressing the importance of combining different therapies for optimal patient outcomes. A Review on Prevalence, economic and Safety about over the counter drugs (OTC) | Zenodo Skip to main You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience. Published November 22, 2023 | Version v1 Journal article Open A Review on Prevalence, economic and Safety about over the counter drugs (OTC) Authors/Creators N, Harshitha (Researcher) 1 Show affiliations 1. Pharmacy Practice Description This review article focuses on two main topics: the use and impact of over-the-counter (OTC) medications, and the management of osteoarthritis (OA). For OTC medications, the article highlights their increasing prevalence and economic significance from 2020 to 2023. The prevalence of OTC medication usage rose significantly from 37.7% in 2020 to 85.4% in 2023, with a similar upward trend in economic impact, reaching 79.6% in 2023. The safety of these medications is compared with other agents, particularly multivitamins, which are deemed safer and more effective. The article examines a variety of OTC medications including those for colds, allergies, digestive issues, pain, and more, concluding that in 2023, OTC medications are not only more commonly used but also carry significant economic weight. It critically reviews various treatment options, advocating for a multidisciplinary and multimodal approach. image:: https://zenodo.org/badge/DOI/10.5281/zenodo.14647776.svg :target: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14647776 HTML &lt;a href="https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14647776"&gt;&lt;img src="https://zenodo.org/badge/DOI/10.5281/zenodo.14647776.svg" alt="DOI"&gt;&lt;/a&gt; Image URL https://zenodo.org/badge/DOI/10.5281/zenodo.14647776.svg Target URL https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14647776 Resource type Journal article Publisher Zenodo Published in A Review on Prevalence, economic and Safety about over the counter drugs (OTC), 3(4), 514–520, ISSN: 2583-116X, 2023.

Background: The incidence of usage of over the counter (OTC) drugs is drastically increasing day by day. Over the counter drugs are medicines sold directly to consumer without a prescription from health care personnel. In many countries, OTC drugs are selected by a regulatory agency to ensure that they are safe and effective when used without physicians care. Objective: The study was designed to carry out a survey on over the counter (OTC) drug usage in the community. Methodology: A prospective and community based study was carried out over 6 months of period. A validated questionnaire was used for the collection of data, given to a total of 774 persons and face to face interviews among the 774, aged 14-84yrs. Results: A total of 750 participants were enrolled in the study. A significant proportion of the participants identified as practicing self-medication in our study were found to be 77.33%. Majority of participants used OTC drugs for fever (31.551%), headache (30%) and Sore throat /cough/common cold (17.931%). The most commonly used drug as self-medication was Paracetamol (66.103%), Cetirizine (6.55%), and Meftal spas (4.65%). Anti-pyretics/pain relievers (37.41%) were the most commonly used class of drug. The most common reason for self-medication was easy accessibility (21.55%). The most relevant source of information was friends/relatives (27.41%). 52.93% of participants altered dose/frequency of the medication according to their health condition. Out of 580 participa Over the counter drugs are medic ines sold directly to consumer without a prescription from health care personnel. In many countries, OTC drugs are selected by a r egulatory agency to ensure that they are safe and effective when used without physicians care. Objective: The study was designed to carry out a survey on over the counter (OTC) drug usage in the community. Methodology: A prospective and community based stu dy was carried out over 6 months of period. A validated questionnaire was used for the collection of data, given to a total of 774 persons and face to face interviews among the 774, aged 14 -84yrs. Results: A total of 750 participants were enrolled in the s tudy. A significant proportion of the participants identified as practicing self - medication in our study were found to be 77.33%. The majority of self - medication practice was found to be among the age of 14 -24 yrs. In our study, number of females (54.83%) reported use of OTC products more in comparison to males (44.66%). Majority of participants used OTC drugs for fever (31.551%), headache (30%) and Sore throat /cough/common cold (17.931%). The most commonly used drug as self - medication was Paracetamol (66 .103%), Cetirizine (6.55%), and Meftal spas (4.65%). Anti -pyretics/pain relievers (37.41%) were the most commonly used class of drug. of people n=580 (%) Pain relievers/Anti-pyretics 271 (37.413) Cough/Cold/Allergy remedy 181 (31.206) Anti-biotics 71 (12.241) Ointments 70 (12.068) Gastro intestinal drugs 54 (9.310) Vitamins/minerals 51 (8.793) Eye/Ear care drugs 22 (3.793) Sleeping pills 6 (1.034) Family planning drugs 4 (0.68) Others 25 (4.31) Anti-biotics (12.241%) were the most commonly used class of drug and family planning drugs (0.68%) were the least used. Table 13: Distribution on reasons for self medication Reasons No. 2019; 9(2 -s):406-416 ISSN: 2250-1177 [ 413] CODEN (USA): JDDTAO Table 21: Participant claims for checking label/expiry date on OTC medications Yes No Unresponsiveness Expiry date n=580(%) 506 (87.24) 74 (12.76) 00 (0) Label of medication n=580 (%) 439 (75.69) 135 (23.28) 6 (1.03) Results showed that 87.24% of participants check the expiry date and 75.69% check for label of medication. Table 22: Participants knowledge on whether the medications they bought need a valid prescription or not Response No. Out of 580 participants, 108 (18.62%) experienced side effects from OTC drugs and 472 (81.38%) did not experience any side effects. Out of 108, only 21 reported side effects while the remaining did not mention the side effects. Almost 3.703% had experienced headache, 2.777% experienced rashes/skin allergy, sleepiness/dizziness and tremor respectively, 1.85% experienced acidity, stomach upset respectively, and 0.925% experienced back pain, giddiness/hair loss, nausea /vomiting and slight itching respectively. Majority of the participants were unaware that the OTC medications can cause side effects which made them believe that self - medication was safe. Only 87.24% of participants check for the expiry date before using any OTC drugs, whereas 12.76% did not check expiry Anti -pyretics/pain relievers were the most commonly used class of drug. In our study we found that easy accessibility was the most common reason for self-medication. The most relevant source of information was friends/relatives and media was the less trusted source. An adequate counseling was carried out to these participants to improve their self - medication practice and made them understand how i t will reflect in their quality of life and in better management of the disease. Therefore it is suggested that proper education should be imparted regarding illness where self administration of OTC drugs to be employed. General practitioners should consider regularly asking their patients ab out their use of OTC medications, in order to establish prior care and possible side effects. The result showed that they are still lacking the concept of over the counter drugs, consultation of doctor before using the OTC drugs, its adverse effects, disease to be treated and caution to be taken in order to control this prevailing problem, legislation are to be made by the government especially to implement and facilitate the prescription system, conducting awareness programs and restricting drug advertisem ents for public. Therefore, it is suggested for awareness program among community people conducted at community level regarding over the counter (OTC) drugs.

Acetaminophen (paracetamol) and ibuprofen are the most widely prescribed and available over-the-counter medications for management of fever and pain in children. Despite the common use of these medications, treatment recommendations for young children remain divergent. To compare acetaminophen with ibuprofen for the short-term treatment of fever or pain in children younger than 2 years. Systematic search of the databases MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and the trial registers ClinicalTrials.gov and the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry from inception to March 2019, with no language limits. Studies of any design that included children younger than 2 years and directly compared acetaminophen with ibuprofen, reporting antipyretic, analgesic, and/or safety outcomes were considered. There were no limits on length of follow-up. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guideline, 2 authors independently extracted data and assessed quality. Data were pooled using a fixed-effects method if I2 was less than 50% and using a random-effects method if I2 was 50% or greater. The primary outcomes were fever or pain within 4 hours of treatment onset. Safety outcomes included serious adverse events, kidney impairment, gastrointestinal bleeding, hepatotoxicity, severe soft tissue infection, empyema, and asthma and/or wheeze. Overall, 19 studies (11 randomized; 8 nonrandomized) of 241 138 participants from 7 countries and various health care settings (hospital-based and community-based) were included. Compared with acetaminophen, ibuprofen resulted in reduced temperature at less than 4 hours (4 studies with 435 participants; standardized mean difference [SMD], 0.38; 95% CI, 0.08-0.67; P = .01; I2 = 49%; moderate quality evidence) and at 4 to 24 hours (5 studies with 879 participants; SMD, 0.24; 95% CI, 0.03-0.45; P = .03; I2 = 57%; moderate-quality evidence) and less pain at 4 to 24 hours (2 studies with 535 participants; SMD, 0.20; 95% CI, 0.03-0.37; P = .02; I2 = 25%; moderate-quality evidence). Adverse events were uncommon. Acetaminophen and ibuprofen appeared to have similar serious adverse event profiles (7 studies with 27 932 participants; ibuprofen vs aceteminophen: odds ratio, 1.08; 95% CI, 0.87-1.33; P = .50, I2 = 0%; moderate-quality evidence). In this study, use of ibuprofen vs acetaminophen for the treatment of fever or pain in children younger than 2 years was associated with reduced temperature and less pain within the first 24 hours of treatment, with equivalent safety.

Medication Medication (also called medicine or pharmaceutical drugs) is the use of legal drugs to treat or cure an illness. Drugs which are sold freely or do not require a prescription are called over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. It is easy to buy OTC drugs. A doctor must give a prescription for powerful or dangerous drugs. The note from the doctor is called a prescription. These drugs are called prescription drugs, prescription medicines, or prescription only medicines (POM). Terminology There are many different words used to describe things about medications. Action Action is what the medication is supposed to do. It is the helpful effects that the medicine is supposed to have on the body. Many drugs have more than one action. For example, acetaminophen is an analgesic (it kills pain) and an antipyretic (it makes fevers go away).[1] Indication An indication is a reason why a medication is given.[2] Many drugs have more than one indication. For example, acetaminophen's indications include pain and fever.[1] Contraindication A contraindication is a reason why a medication should not be given.[3] Almost all medicines, even over-the-counter medications, have some contraindications.

Controlled study of the impact of educational home visits by pharmacists to high-risk older patients. Lack of information about medications coupled with high rates of utilization complicates compliance with medication regimens and increases the risk of adverse effects among older adults. We undertook a study of the efficacy of community-based interventions by pharmacists in a randomly-allocated one-half of a sample of 284 older adults considered to be at high risk for medication-related problems. Information and attitudes towards prescription and over-the-counter medications did not differ significantly between the intervention and comparison groups, either before or after the pharmacist interventions. However, visits to physicians were significantly less in the intervention group, suggesting an important if unexpected impact on health-related behavior. Published in Journal of community health (1990)