Tag Archives: Prescription drug

Asthma and COPD – Part II – OTC Medications – Update

Posted on November 15, 2015 by Cynthia J. Koelker, MD

Since this information was first posted November 2010, a few things have changed.  My book is no longer “upcoming.” It’s available for purchase on this very website!  Primatene Mist is no longer available OTC, though it may be again someday. … Continue reading →

Posted in Allergic, Asthma, Asthma/COPD, Benadryl - diphenhydramine, Caffeine, chlorpheniramine, Chronic bronchitis, Claritin - loratadine, COPD, Herbal and complementary, Herbal medicine, Lung disease, Medical archives, Mild, OTC Antihistamines, OTC Decongestants, OTC inhalers, Primatene mist, Sudafed-PE - phenylephrine, Sudafed-pseudoephedrine, Vicks, Zyrtec - cetirizine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Affordable prepping for asthma and COPD

Posted on January 10, 2012 by Cynthia J. Koelker, MD

A reader’s question got me thinking today. With albuterol inhalers costing about $50 a pop, not to mention maintenance inhalers at $100-$200 per month, and with Primatene Mist now off the market, is there any way an asthmatic can prep … Continue reading →

Posted in albuterol, Asthma, Asthma medications, COPD, Cough, Medical archives, Peak flow meter, Slide show, Sore mouth or gums, Wheeze | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Making the most of OTC meds – ibuprofen

Posted on November 8, 2011 by Cynthia J. Koelker, MD

Ibuprofen is one of the first prescription drugs that moved to over-the-counter status approximately 25 years ago, the prescription drug being released about 10 years prior to that. In the USA, OTC ibuprofen is most commonly found in the 200 … Continue reading →

Posted in Abdominal pain, Acetaminophen - Tylenol, Arthritis, Ear infection, Earache, Featured articles, Fractures, GERD / Acid reflux, Ibuprofen, Ibuprofen, Kidney stone, Medical archives, Migraine, OTC NSAIDs, OTC Pain meds, Pain, Pleurisy, Rheumatoid arthritis, Sore throat, Sprains, Stockpiling medications, Toothache, Toothache, Ulcer | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Making the most of OTC meds – meclizine

Posted on September 6, 2011 by Cynthia J. Koelker, MD

This article begins a series on making the most of over-the-counter drugs. Usually medical questions begin with, “I have such and such a problem – what can I do for it?” Today’s approach takes the opposite tack. With a limited … Continue reading →

Posted in Bonine - meclizine, Dizziness, Dramamine - meclizine, Meclizine, Medical archives, Medications, Nausea, OTC Nausea/vomiting meds, Perennial Favorites, Slide show, Vomiting | Tagged , | 6 Comments

Dangers of pill splitting?

Posted on May 12, 2011 by Cynthia J. Koelker, MD

Craig asks:  A lot of data sheets I have seen for medicines in tablet form say something along the lines of “Do not halve the tablet. Dose equivalence when the tablet is divided has not been established.” How accurate is … Continue reading →

Posted in Antibiotics, Antidepressants, Blood pressure meds, Medical archives, Medications, Perennial Favorites, Shelf life, Stockpiling medical supplies, Stockpiling medications, Thyroid preparations | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Ten Essential OTC Medications to Stockpile

Posted on April 11, 2011 by Cynthia J. Koelker, MD

The following article was originally published at www.survivalblog.com. * * *   Are over-the-counter (OTC) drugs really worth stockpiling?  As a family physician my answer is a resounding yes.  Most of the following were actually prescription medications when first released.  (In … Continue reading →

Posted in Acetaminophen - Tylenol, Ibuprofen, Meclizine, Medical archives, OTC Decongestants, OTC NSAIDs, OTC Pain meds, Over-the-counter meds, Perennial Favorites, Preparation, Stockpiling medical supplies, Stockpiling medications, Sudafed-PE - phenylephrine | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Protected: Would you prescribe meds for stockpiling?

Posted on February 20, 2011 by Cynthia J. Koelker, MD

There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.

Posted in Medical archives, Medical Professionals Only, Medications, Preparation, Prescribing - MPO, Prescription Medications, Stockpiling medications | Tagged , , , , , , | Enter your password to view comments.

Using expired medications, Part I

Posted on February 11, 2011 by Cynthia J. Koelker, MD

    The following post was written for SurvivalBlog.com.   To read the entire entry, click link below. * * * My first guest post on SurvivalBlog.com generated an abundance of questions and concerns.  Among the most popular was that of … Continue reading →

Posted in Anti-viral meds, Expired medications, Expired meds, Medications, Prescription Medications, Shelf life, Stockpiling medical supplies, Stockpiling medications, Tamiflu | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Ten Essential OTC Medications to Stockpile

Posted on December 14, 2010 by Cynthia J. Koelker, MD

 Are over-the-counter (OTC) drugs really worth stockpiling?  As a family physician my answer is a resounding yes.  Most of the following were actually prescription medications when first released.  (In higher dosages, several still are.)  Although other OTC drugs are worth … Continue reading →

Posted in Acetaminophen - Tylenol, Antibacterial topical, Anxiety, acute, Arthritis, Bacitracin, Bonine - meclizine, Common cold, Constipation, Diarrhea, Dramamine - meclizine, GERD / Acid reflux, Ibuprofen, Kidney stone, Meclizine, Medical archives, Nausea, OTC Nausea/vomiting meds, OTC NSAIDs, OTC Pain meds, Over-the-counter meds, Pain, Perennial Favorites, Rash, Skin, Stomach flu, Toothache, Vomiting | Tagged , , , , , , , | 8 Comments