Over-the-counter medicines and what you need to know

A trip to the grocery store is the highlight of my week now. The other day there was a teen I’d guess around 14 or 15, shopping with his mom. It was obvious that he didn’t want to be there as she was spending more time chatting with friends than shopping.

At one junction, she ran into a friend who called out to the boy, “I wonder if we’ll ever be able to hug each other again.” The boy, who was keeping more than the standard social distance away, muttered under his breath, “Gosh, I hope not!”

I burst out laughing. He turned bright red. But, when I gave him a thumbs-up, he smiled and gave me one back. It’s a grand gesture and so much safer than hugging.

That story actually has nothing to do with today’s subject except that we’re going to talk about over-the-counter medications that one often buys at the grocery store. That is, if the shelves aren’t empty.

Apparently, at the same time that people are stocking up on toilet paper, flour and salt, they are also squirreling the analgesics, and cold remedies recommended if one gets a mild case of coronavirus, aka COVID-19. Fortunately, on my shopping day, there were a few shortages.

It’s predicted that 80 percent of those infected will not become seriously ill nor need hospitalization, so let’s talk about what to do if we get sick. As with any virus, the medical experts recommend getting plenty of rest, drinking plenty of fluids and taking acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or aspirin to reduce fever. Other symptoms can also be treated with OTCs such as cough medicine for the cough, lozenges for a sore throat, and antidiarrheal medication as needed.

However, it’s very important for all of us to know which OTCs we can take, particularly if we’re being medicated for an ongoing severe condition. The first step is to very carefully read the labels, particularly the sentences that start with the word “Warning.”

Some pills and most liquid drugs contain multiple medications. You need to know what they are to make sure you don’t double up on one or more ingredients. And, of course, you should follow the guidelines for dosage, as taking drugs as directed can often prevent serious complications.

“Even though they do not require a prescription, OTC medications may cause significant side effects. Some can interact with prescription medications and cause harm,” Emedicinehealth.com says. “For example, patients who take warfarin (Cou-madin), a blood thinner, are at higher risk of bleeding from ulcers if they take OTC ibuprofen. Other products can cause organ damage if taken in amounts greater than recommended. For example, acetaminophen may cause liver failure; aspirin may cause lung and kidney damage.”

For the cough, expectorants that contain guaifenesin (Mucinex) are recommended. Or you could take a cough suppressant like dextromethorphan (Robitussin) and decongestants like Sudafed or pseudoephedrine. But be aware that people with high blood pressure, glaucoma, or thyroid conditions should avoid decongestants. And, remember that drugs with pseudoephedrine are sold behind the counter, so you have to ask for them.

Even though most OTCs are safe, it’s best to contact your primary care provider before taking any over-the-counter medications, vitamins, or supplements. If that isn’t possible, have a conversation with the pharmacist making sure you explain absolutely everything you’re taking and why.

Another good reason to read the labels is that most often, the generic store brand will have the exact same active ingredients as the name brand at a much-reduced price. Often the packaging will tell you which brand name to compare it to. So, do it. Compare.

Before you head out, look in your medicine cabinet to make sure you have enough of your prescription drugs to last you at least two weeks. Then, if your PCP or pharmacist tells you that it’s okay, purchase enough analgesic and cough or sore throat meds to last that same amount of time. The last thing you need right now is to spend a lot of money on drugs you’ll never take, but if you need them, it’ll be well worth it.

Follow all the Centers for Disease Control’s recommendations for preventing the spread of this nasty virus, which, I’m sure you know, includes not hugging your mother’s friends in the supermarket.

Kathy Hubbard is a member of Bonner General Health Foundation Advisory Council. She can be reached at kathyleehubbard@yahoo.com.