Over-the-counter (OTC) medications are generally first-line therapies that people may choose to treat common acute illnesses, such as fevers, colds, allergies, headaches, or other pain.
Furthermore, the easy access to information online can sometimes lead to self-diagnosis and self-medication, contributing to the potential for misuse and overuse.
[4] People who have poor liver function or with chronic alcohol use disorder should either limit or not ingest acetaminophen to prevent morbidities.
[1] Additionally, the misuse of codeine-containing cough syrups has become a public health concern, as it can serve as a gateway to stronger opioids.
[citation needed] Education about the risks and signs of opioid addiction can play a role in prevention and early intervention.
[7] The anticholinergic activity of diphenhydramine may lead to tachycardia, dry mouth, blurred vision, mydriasis, depression, and urinary retention.
[7] In 2020, purposeful overmedication with Benadryl (diphenhydramine) was a concern due to use of social media by teenagers in the United States, with the FDA issuing a public warning about the possibility of seizures, hallucinations, breathing difficulty or loss of consciousness.
[8] Pseudoephedrine, ephedrine or phenylpropanolamine can be overused with the intent for weight loss or improving athletic performance, possibly causing insomnia, diminished sense of fatigue, euphoria, and psychotic behavior.
[10] Medical providers are generally hesitant to prescribe polypharmacy in the elderly due to the risk of harmful drug interactions.
Concerns with polypharmacy and elderly groups are reduced medication adherence, increased fall risk, cognitive function impairment, and adverse drug reaction.
While opioids aid in short- and long-term pain management, overprescription or constant opioid-exposure increases the risk for addiction.