Cough/Cold
Guaifenesin is an expectorant that thins and loosens mucus and should be used for this type of cough
What is a wet (productive) cough?
This common topical acne agent can cause bleaching of towels/clothes
What is Benzoyl Peroxide?
This OTC GI medication works by decreasing gas bubble surface tension, causing small bubbles to merge into larger ones that are easier for the body to pass.
What is Simethicone (Gas-X)?
This OTC osmotic laxative draws water into the colon to soften stool and is generally the gentlest option for patients needing daily laxative use.
What is Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) or Miralax?
RICE therapy, recommended for the first 1–3 days after muscle or joint injury, stands for these four words.
What is Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation?
Nasal decongestant sprays like oxymetazoline should not be used for more than this many days due to the risk of rebound congestion
What is 3 days?
This topical for acne is a retinoid, a derivative of Vitamin A
What is adapalene (Differin gel 0.1%)?
OTC PPIs such as omeprazole should be taken at this specific time of day for maximum effectiveness.
What is morning, or 30–60 minutes before breakfast?
Metamucil belongs to this class of laxative
What is bulk forming laxatives?
This type of headache typically affects one side of the head, has a throbbing quality, and may be preceded by aura or prodrome symptoms 1–2 days before onset.
What is a migraine?
This oral decongestant must be obtained from behind the pharmacy counter and is considered more effective than phenylephrine; it is contraindicated in uncontrolled HTN and BPH
What is Pseudoephedrine?
These two physical sunscreen ingredients currently hold FDA GRASE (Generally Recognized As Safe and Effective) status.
What are Zinc oxide and Titanium dioxide?
This digestive enzyme breaks down complex carbohydrates that can help prevent gas; it is the active ingredient in Beano
What is alpha galactosidase?
Bismuth subsalicylate should be avoided in children with viral illnesses due to risk of this condition
What is Reye's Syndrome?
This topical OTC gel is recommended as first-line therapy for acute musculoskeletal injury pain by some physician groups.
What is Diclofenac gel (Voltaren)?
This common cough/cold agent has serotonergic effects
What is Delsym (Dextromethorphan)?
This is the OTC gold-standard treatment for scar prevention after wound healing — it works via occlusion and hydration and comes in sheet or gel form.
What is silicone therapy?
Adults over this age who develop new-onset heartburn are excluded from GERD self-care and must be referred to a provider.
What is 45 years old?
This OTC anti-diarrheal works as an opioid receptor agonist to slow intestinal motility and reduce fluid secretion into the gut.
What is Loperamide (Imodium)?
NSAIDs like ibuprofen and naproxen should be avoided in patients with these high-risk conditions (Must give at least 2 correct answers)
What are peptic ulcer disease, history of GI bleeding, cardiovascular disease, or renal impairment?
Per Iowa law, this is the maximum amount of pseudoephedrine a person may purchase within a 30-day period
What is 7.5 grams?
For fungal infections complicated by excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis), this agent is applied daily at bedtime with the dosage decreased over time.
What is aluminum chloride?
This H2RA OTC medication is notorious for interacting with warfarin, propranolol, benzodiazepines, and phenytoin.
What is Cimetidine (Tagamet)?
DAILY DOUBLE: Loperamide is not recommended when diarrhea is accompanied by this serious symptom of exclusion to self-treatment, and list a potential reason why
What is a persistent or high fever (>101.3F)? Because this may indicate an invasive bacterial infection that needs to pass through, instead of being kept in the intestines by loperamide's MoA
To prevent medication overuse headaches, both OTC and prescription analgesic medications should be used less than this frequency
What is twice per week?