Over the counter drugs Published April 26, 2010 Drug Demand Reduction Program MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- [Editor's note: The following is an excerpt from the Above the Influence website as requested by the Minot Air Force Base Drug Demand Reduction Program.] Over-the-counter drugs are medications that can be purchased at a pharmacy, grocery, or convenience store without a prescription to treat the symptoms of common colds or pains, such as a headache. The Food and Drug Administration has determined that these medications have medical benefits for common ailments and are safe for general consumption if taken exactly as prescribed by the packaging. Most people who take prescription medications use them responsibly. But when abused--that is, taken by someone other than the patient for whom the medication was prescribed, or taken in a manner or dosage other than what was prescribed--prescription medications can produce serious adverse health effects, including addiction. However, all drugs, including over-the-counter medications, change the body's function or chemistry from its natural state and can be harmful if they are not taken as directed. For example, the common painkiller Ibuprofen can cause kidney damage if taken for prolonged periods or in excessive dosages. As is the case with any drug, overdoses from over-the-counter medications, can occur. One type of over-the-counter medication that is especially dangerous when abused is Dextromethorphan (DXM), which is found in many types of cough syrup. From 1999 to 2004, there was a seven-fold increase in cases of poisoning and overdoses related to the abuse of DXM reported to poison control centers nationwide. Parents, commanders, first sergeants and friends should be aware of the potential for abuse of these medications, especially when consumed in large quantities, which should signal concern and the possible need for intervention. An overdose on over-the-counter drugs can vary greatly, depending on what other drugs they are mixed with, the amount of drugs taken, how quickly they are taken, and the individual's body chemistry. Some over-the-counter drugs can even cause death if used incorrectly. The only safe way to take over-the-counter medications is to do so exactly as directed by a doctor or as directed on the packaging and to treat the symptoms for which they are intended. For more information on combating drug and alchohol abuse, logon to www.abovetheinfluence.com.