This past week just about everyone I know was suffering with some kind of head and chest congestion accompanied with fits of coughing and sneezing, leaving the strongest person feeling tired and defeated. I was not immune to this wicked cold, finding myself reaching for over-the-counter medications and homemade remedies such as grandpa’s secret cough syrup. I can remember growing up and faking a cough in hopes of getting a good swig of my grandpa’s secret concoction of peppermint candy and moonshine mixed with just the right amount of honey and an unknown ingredient. One thing was for sure, if you had a cough, by the time one good swig of grandpa’s magic anti-coughing elixir hit your stomach, you didn’t have enough air left in your lungs to cough, speak, breathe, or do anything else for that matter. I was never sure if his concoction fixed the cough, or if we simply passed out from the lack of oxygen. My grandpa was a welder/electrician who made his living in the coal mines of southeastern Kentucky. He was a simple, hard-working man with a love for God, country, and family. He made his anti-coughing elixir for medicinal purposes only.
This past week as I coughed and coughed, I found myself searching for anything that would calm my coughing, which seemed to incorporate every muscle and cell of my being as I tried to expel whatever demon had taken over my body. I stood in my local drugstore searching for the magic pill, liquid, or combination that would calm the storm within and allow me to sleep. I realized that I was not alone in my search, and as I listened to those around me talk about what they had tried or what had worked for them or a family member, that’s when it hit me. YIKES! What other drugs and combinations of drugs are they taking and do they understand the risks of taking over-the-counter medications?
It is important, especially when we are not feeling our best, that we use a little common sense as we reach for an over-the-counter medication. The Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA) Educational Foundation suggests these tips to ensure safe use of over-the-counter medicines:
Tip 1: Always read and follow the Drug Facts label.
Tip 2: Never take more than one medicine with the same active ingredient unless specifically told to do so by your healthcare provider.
Tip 3: Choose products that treat only the symptoms you have, so you take only the active ingredients you need.
Tip 4: Talk to your doctor if taking an over-the-counter medicine becomes more than a temporary practice or if your symptoms do not go away.
Tip 5: Create a list of all the medicines you take and share it with your healthcare professional(s).
Tip 6: Tell your healthcare professional(s) about your full medical history and eating habits.
Tip 7: Bring any questions you have to a healthcare professional, such as a doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.
We have come a long way since the days of grandpa’s anti-coughing elixir as we have moved toward more modern conveniences. But none will ever take the place of the love and knowledge of an old man’s elixir. In these tough economic times, many of us are faced with loss of jobs and health insurance. At the very least, make it a point to discuss any over-the-counter medications or home remedies with your pharmacist. Follow the instructions completely and remember—just because a medicine is over-the-counter, doesn’t mean it is safe. Visit www.OTCsafety.org for other educational tips on keeping you and your family safe when you self medicate.
Howard Baker, RN BSN
For questions, comments, or suggestions on topics you want to read about please email me at: howard@howardsbaker.com
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