Question

How are over-the-counter (OTC) drugs different from prescriptions?

		There is a much higher risk of fatal interactions with prescription drugs than OTC drugs.
		The FDA has control over prescription drugs but not OTC drugs.
		The active ingredients in OTC drugs must have a greater margin of safety than active ingredients in prescription drugs.
		OTC drugs face an easier and more streamlined clinical trials process than prescription drugs

Answer 1

Prescription drug :-

• Prescribed by doctor. From pharmacy will get this medicine.
• Regulated by FDA through new drug application process.
• This is the main step a drug responsor takes to ask that the FDA consider approving a new drug for marketing .They have all information like action, how it is manufactured, to whom we can use.
• It is prescribed for and intended to be used by one person.

OTC drugs

• these drugs do not need a doctor prescription ​​​​​​.
• Regulated by FDA through drug monographs.
• These medicines sold directly to a consumer with out a requirement for a prescription from a health care professional.
• OTC drug monographs is a book covering acceptable ingredients, doses, formulations and labelling.
• Products conforming to a monograph may be marketed without further FDA clearance.while those do not undergo separate review and approval through the new drug approval system.

Drug interaction :-it occurs when two or more drugs react together. OTC drugs are safe to use but along with that if we take prescription drugs may be chance of adverse reactions, drug interactions. Only prescription drug it will not cause any problems but if we take OTC  drugs along with this drug with out doctor advice might cause reactions. Some times it will cause fatal also.

examples of potentially fatal drug interactions

1)potassium chloride and spironolactone

2)Theophylline and ciprofloxacin.

FDA regulations ensure that OTC drug are safe and we can bought and used safely without the need for a prescription. All OTC drugs meet FDA quality, effectiveness and safety standards. In that medicine drug facts label is there. It is very important to read the entire label and not throw it away because it contains all necessary information needed. That's why OTC medicine is safe and least possible risk. But who are all undergoing treatment like cardiac and kidney problems etc these people should not take OTC drug with out doctor advice because along with their daily drug if they take OTC drug it cause severe reactions.