what is the difference between OTC and prescription pain medications?

Question

i would love some info on what is the criteria for medications to be prescription only? and what is the cut off level of an active ingredients in an over the counter (OTC) medications? eg: the level of codeine phosphate in OTC and prescription only meds? thanks for ur help.it would really sort out the confusion im having for my research paper

Answer 1

Prescribed medication is by a doctor, dentist or other authorized person, in order to treat or manage a medical condition. Pain medication are much more stronger, and used to treat more serious pain from surgery, injury or disease. Some prescribed pain medications, affects the CNS Central Nervous System, and can be addictive hence they are a prescription drug.



Over The Counter OTC's medications can bought with out a prescription, often to treat minor ailments or conditions.

Such as Panadol and Aspirin used for pain relief and Cough and cold treatments, they don't have sufficient quantities of addictive ingredients if at any.



However many people don't realize that OTC or complementary medication, can interact with prescribed medication or may even cause unwanted side affects, such as pseudoephedrine that is found in some cough & cold preparations and should not be used by those with heart murmurs. Therefor doctors need to know if we are taking OTC or Complementary medication.



Not sure if this is going to help, but I hoped it helped a little

Answer 2

Speak to your pharmacist, s/he will know all about it.

They can give you a computer print out from the MIMS re OTC vs Prescription only analgesia.



The ingredient capable of being abused will always be combined with an ingredient which is harmful when taken in excess to prevent people abusing the meds.

Paracetamol is usually combined with Codeine for sale OTC & is fatal if taken in excess ( quite a small amount over the recommended dose will cause irreversible liver damage).

Answer 3

I believe that US Federal law limits non-prescription codeine compounds to 8.5 mg, a very weak dosage, and must be compounded with aspirin or acetaminophen. However, I've never heard of such being sold in the US. In Canada, it (codeine sulfate, 8.25 mg) is available without prescription but not quite OTC (must be requested from pharmacist).



Codeine of 30mg or more is schedule III. A weaker dose may be schedule IV, which is how Darvon and Valium are classified.