Counter Products Research Articles

Evaluasi Perilaku Penggunaan Obat Sebelum Pasien Terdiagnosa Penyakit Ginjal Kronis Di Rsud Soesilo Kabupaten Tegal Dan Rsud Kardinah Kota Tegal Periode Januari – Agustus 2016

The number of people with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) continues to increase and is considered as one of the health problems that can develop into an epidemic. Increasing the use of over the counter (OTC) products, the use of traditional medicines mixed with medicinal chemicals, the use of hard drugs freely brings concerns and concerns about the quality, effectiveness, safety of the products used. This study aims to look at patient distribution, drug use behavior before being diagnosed with CKD in Soeselo Regional Hospital and Kardinah Regional Hospital. The method used in this study is cross sectional by giving prospective questionnaires to patients who fall into the inclusion criteria. The sample used was chronic kidney patients undergoing treatment at Soeselo Regional Hospital as many as 56 respondents and 138 respondents at the Kardinah Regional Hospital in the period January 2016 - August 2016. Data were analyzed statistically using the chi square test to see the proportion of CKD distribution and behavior of drug use of patients in the Regional Hospital Soeselo with Kardinah Regional Hospital. Based on the results of the study, the demographic characteristics obtained male sex, age> 50 years, the type of occupation with moderate physical activity is a high proportion in Kardinah Regional Hospital while the distribution of education level is the highest proportion in Soeselo Regional Hospital. the most widely used is pain reliever (42.6%), where there are significant behavioral differences in Soeselo Regional Hospital with Kardinah Regional Hospital on the behavior of using herbal medicine in racik at home and in the holding of herbal medicine where the proportion of usage in Kardinah Regional Hospital is much higher than in Soesilo Regional Hospital p-value (p <0.05) while the most widely used drugs or health supplements are herbal medicine packaging at home (22.6%) and no significant differences were found (p> 0.05) for supplement use behavior health to maintain stamina and health in both hospitals.

057 Rethinking the Techno Vagina: A Case Series of Patient Complications Following Vaginal Laser Treatment for Atrophy

Approximately 40-80% of postmenopausal women endure a variety of symptoms associated with genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM). Currently, many treatment options exist for this medical condition, including prescription hormone therapy, non-hormonal over the counter products, and most recently laser treatment. While the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared fractional CO2 laser for a variety of dermatologic and gynecologic indications, lasers have not to date, been approved for use for vulvar/ vaginal atrophy, vaginal laxity, deceased sexual function, or dyspareunia.

Cannabinoids infused mouthwash products are as effective as chlorhexidine on inhibition of total-culturable bacterial content in dental plaque samples

BackgroundDental plaque is a global health problem affecting people of various age groups. Cannabinoids are gaining enormous research attention due to its beneficial properties for various applications. A preliminary observation on antimicrobial property of cannabinoids against dental plaque bacteria has been reported recently. As a follow-up research, here we report the in vitro evaluation of cannabinoids infused mouthwash products against total culturable (aerobic) bacterial content from dental plaque samples.MethodsWe tested two cannabinoid-infused mouthwash products containing cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabigerol (CBG) respectively (each mouthwash containing < 1% cannabinoid by weight) in vitro against total-culturable bacteria from dental plaque samples collected from 72 adults aged between 18 and 83 years. The participants were grouped on the basis of Dutch periodontal screening index (DPSI) score. To compare the efficacy of our products, we included two most commonly available products over the counter (Product A and Product B) to represent commercially available mouthwash products and the gold standard chlorhexidine digluconate 0.2% as a positive control. The product A represents mouthwash containing essential oils and alcohol, and Product B represents alcohol-free mouthwash that contains fluoride. All the mouthwash products were evaluated directly as such without any dilution through disc diffusion and agar well diffusion approaches and the diameter of zone of inhibition was measured. The limitation in methodology was that, the samples were open-label and the person who performed the manual measurements was unblind to test and control products used.ResultsOn average, the cannabinoids infused mouthwash products showed the similar bactericidal efficacy as that of chlorhexidine 0.2%. Both chlorhexidine 0.2% and cannabinoids infused mouthwash products were effective against all the samples tested. Product A did not show any significant antimicrobial activity in any of the samples tested, except that a very marginal inhibition with a zone of 7-8 mm was observed only in 9 samples. Product B did not show any detectable inhibition zone at all in any of the samples tested. The ranges of zones of inhibition (and their average) were 8–25 mm (18.1 mm) for CBD-mouthwash, 8–25 mm (17.7 mm) for CBG-mouthwash; 12–25 mm (16.8 mm) for chlorhexidine 0.2%; 0–8 mm (0.1 mm) for Product A; and 0 mm for Product B. Although the difference in performance was slightly higher than chlorhexidine in both the cases, the difference was statistically significant for CBD-mouthwash and near significant for CBG-mouthwash. No significant difference was observed between CBD- and CBG-mouthwash. No significant difference in performance was found between DPSI score groups for any of the product tested. To our knowledge this is the first report on such efficient mouthwash product with natural key ingredients including cannabinoids and without any kind of fluoride or alcohol.ConclusionsOur in vitro results demonstrate the potential of cannabinoids in developing efficient and safer mouthwash products and next generation oral care products without fluoride and alcohol.

Claim and warrant: a contextual physics learning strategy to enhance studens’ argumentation skills

Students’ argumentation skills both in the learning process and assessment to realize the transformation of the production of quality claim and warrant are very important to be implemented. This study is trying to analyze the process of students’ argumentation skills transformation through a contextual physics learning strategy called “Claim and Warrant”. This study used descriptive survey method with eleven grade student in Bandar Lampung as the population. Beside that, cluster random sampling technique was used to specify the sample. A complex problems as an exercise were given to thirty two senior high school students in order to produce alternative statements and the basis of theoretical-evidence relations. The data were obtained through reasoned multiple choice tests with feedback andanalyzed through a feedback-assessment process. The results showed the increasing of students’ argumentation skills in form of production of alternative statements and counter.

Safety and efficacy study of Ulsant tablet in patients with hyperacidity (Amlapitta

Hyperacidity (Amlapitta) is one of the most common disorder. It is observed by excess production of gastric acid in stomach. It is generally imbalance between offensive parameters like gastric acid and defensive factors like mucin bicarbonate secretions. Over the counter products aim at neutralizing gastric acid rather than the root cause. Ayurvedic preparations has an solution to amlapitta. It not only neutralizes acid secreted but also improves defensive properties of stomach. Once such combination is Ulsant tablets. Acid neutralizing capacity and buffering capacity was conducted in vitro. The aim of the present study was to find out safety and efficacy of Ulsant tablet. In present study total 35 patients were taken. Patients were advised with Ulsant tablet 2 tab twice a day for 45 days. Results shown significant positive results with respect to acid neutralizing capacity, buffering capacity and clinical symptoms. Keywords: Hyperacidity, Ulcer, Ayurveda, Ulsant, Natural.

Mucoadhesive Potential of Whey Protein Concentrate in Miconazole Mucoadhesive Prolong Release Tablets

Orophygial candidiasis (OPC) is one of the most frequent Candida infections of the oral cavity this condition is common in patients with malnutrition, having chemotherapy, administrating immunosuppressive agents, or severe disease such as HIV. Prolong local administration of Miconazole is a must to treat OPC conditions in patients, which required the prolong mucoadhesion of the dosage form to provide local delivery of drugs for an extended time period with good mucoadhesion. Miconazole is synthetic imidazole antifungal agent, various prescription and over the counter product available like Miconazole Gel, Topical cream, Immediate release Tablet available in the market but that lack in the prolonged period of action to the local mucosa. In the present study combination of Whey protein concentrate (WPC), Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) and Lactose were evaluated as a potential buccal adhesive tablet. The various combination of Whey protein concentrate with release controlling polymer was tested using a Miconazole as a potential antifungal agent. The mucoadhesive potential of WPC evaluated using Tensiometer by calculating the detachment force and drug release of Miconazole was performed to study the prolong release activity of Tablet. The optimized combination of WPC/HPMC/Lactose through a statistical study showed significant bioadhesion to the porcine mucosa and prolong drug release for 10hrs.

Effect of Garcinia Cambogia Containing Co;mmercially Avaible Weight Reducing Agent on Morphology of Hepatocytes An Experimental Study

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background and Objective:&lt;/strong&gt; Obesity is the adverse outcome of modern living which has affected both the physical and mental health. Slim Smart and Ultra Slim Plus are the most frequently purchased over the counter products by desperate obese persons in Pakistan having Garcinia cambogia (GC) as the main active ingredient. This study is conducted to determine the effect of GC containing Slim Smart and Ultra Slim Plus drugs on the morphology of hepatocytes in male albino mice.&lt;/p&gt;&#x0D; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt; Methods:&lt;/strong&gt; Ninety albino mice were divided into control group A, experimental groups B and C receiving Slim Smart and Ultra Slim Smart respectively. Each group was further divided into subgroup I and II and the drug was administered to experimental groups for 4 and 8 weeks respectively via oral gavage. After the completion of experiment, histological examination of liver was conducted.&lt;/p&gt;&#x0D; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt; Results:&lt;/strong&gt; Marked enlargement of hepatocytes was observed in experimental groups B and C (both I &amp;amp; II) along with ballooning degeneration and fatty change in the cytoplasm.&lt;/p&gt;&#x0D; &lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusion:&lt;/strong&gt; Both Slim Smart and Ultra Slim Plus has hepatotoxic effects resulting in increase in hepatocyte size, ballooning degeneration and fatty change in liver cells.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

Are side effects of cannabidiol (CBD) products caused by tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) contamination?

Cannabidiol (CBD)-containing products are widely marketed as over the counter products, mostly as food supplements, to avoid the strict rules of medicinal products. Side-effects reported in anecdotal consumer reports or during clinical studies were first assumed to be due to hydrolytic conversion of CBD to psychoactive Δ 9-tetrahydrocannainol (THC). However, research of pure CBD solutions stored in simulated gastric juice or subjected to various storage conditions such as heat and light with specific liquid chromatographic/tandem mass spectrometric (LC/MS/MS) and ultra-high pressure liquid chromatographic/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometric (UPLC-QTOF) analyses was unable to confirm THC formation. Another hypothesis for the side-effects of CBD products may be residual THC concentrations in the products as contamination, because most of them are based on crude hemp extracts containing the full spectrum of cannabinoids besides CBD. Analyses of 28 food products of the German market containing hemp extract as an ingredient (mostly CBD oils) confirmed this hypothesis: 10 products (36%) contained THC above the lowest observed adverse effects level (2.5 mg/day). Inversely, CBD was present in the products below the no observed adverse effect level. Hence, it may be assumed that the adverse effects of some commercial CBD products are based on a low-dose effect of THC and not due to effects of CBD itself. The safety, efficacy and purity of commercial CBD products is highly questionable, and all of the products in our sample collection showed various non-conformities to European food law such as unsafe THC levels, full-spectrum hemp extracts as non-approved novel food ingredients, non-approved health claims, and deficits in mandatory food labelling requirements. In view of the growing market for such lifestyle products, the effectiveness of the instrument of food business operators' own responsibility for product safety must obviously be challenged.

Inhibition of Rothia Species by Over-the-Counter Products and Bacterial Antagonists

The interaction between the human host micro biome and over the counter products has recently been investigated, with surprising results. Some over the counter items may negatively affect the health of the host, supporting the concept of the “hygiene hypothesis”, that is, that disease may be actually caused by the lack of beneficial commensal bacteria. Recent reports on the gluten metabolizing genus, Rothia, and a possible association with Celiac Disease beg the question, what happened to the Rothia? In this study inhibitory factors, such as, Over The Counter oral hygiene products and antagonistic bacteria were investigated and, in vitro, significantly inhibited the gluten metabolizing bacteria, possibly affecting human digestion and contributing to gluten sensitivity.

Rain gauge networks’ limitations and the implications to hydrological modelling highlighted with a X-band radar

Precipitation risk and water management is a key challenge for densely populated urban areas. Applications derived from high spatio-temporal resolution observation of precipitations are to make our cities more weather-ready. Finer resolution data available from dual polarised X-band radar measurements enhance engineering tools as used for urban planning policies as well as protection (mitigation/adaptation) strategies to tackle climate-change related weather events. For decades engineering tools have been developed to work conveniently either with very local rain gauge networks, or with mainly C-band radars that have gradually been set up for space-time remote sensing of precipitation. Most of the time, the C-band radars continue to be calibrated by the existing rain gauge networks. Inhomogeneous distributions of these networks lead to only a partial information on the rainfall fields. Here we show that the statistics of measured rainfall is strongly biased by the fractality of the measuring networks and that this fractality needs to be properly taken into account to retrieve the original properties of the rainfall fields, in spite of the radar data calibration. In this work, we use the semi-distributed hydrological modelling over the Bièvre catchment to generate a virtual rain gauges’ network. And, firstly, performing a fractal analysis of this network distribution, we demonstrate that the semi-distributed hydrological models statistically reduce the distributed (weather radar) rainfall fields into rainfall measured by a much scarcer network of virtual rain gauges. Then, with the help of the Intersection Theorem and multifractal theory, we statistically compare the virtual rain gauges’ data with the rainfall data measured by the dual-polarimetric X-band radar operated at Ecole des Ponts with a spatial resolution of 250 m, providing pre-factors that indicate the need of a proper re-normalisation of rain gauge rainfall data when comparing (or calibrating) with radar data and the possible counter productivity of this conditioning.

Effect of Raspberry Ketone on Normal, Obese and Health-Compromised Obese Mice: A Preliminary Study

Raspberry ketone (RK)—an aromatic compound found mostly in red raspberries (Rubus idaeus) is widely used as an over the counter product for weight loss. The present study was conducted to determine adverse effects associated with RK in obese and health-compromised obese mice. Two sets of experiments were conducted on normal obese and health-compromised obese mice treated with RK for a duration of 10 days. Obese conditions were induced by feeding mice a high fat diet for 10 weeks, while the health compromised obese mouse model was developed by a single intraperitoneal injection of a nontoxic dose of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (6 mg/kg) to obese mice. Results showed that RK (165, 330, and 500 mg/kg) under obese as well as health-compromised condition retarded the gain in body weights as compared to the control groups. RK at doses 330 and 500 mg/kg resulted in 67.6 and 50% mortality, respectively in normal obese mice and 70% mortality was observed in health-compromised obese mice treated with RK at 500 mg/kg. At higher doses deaths were observed earlier than those given lower doses of RK. Significant elevations in blood alanine transaminase (ALT) were also observed with RK treatment in obese mice. Blood glucose levels were significantly elevated in all groups of mice treated with RK. This study suggests that higher doses of RK may cause adverse effects in health compromised conditions. Under these conditions, prolonged use of RK, especially in high doses, may pose a health hazard.

Are side effects of cannabidiol (CBD) products caused by tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) contamination?

Cannabidiol (CBD)-containing products are widely marketed as over the counter products, mostly as food supplements, to avoid the strict rules of medicinal products. Side-effects reported in anecdotal consumer reports or during clinical studies were first assumed to be due to hydrolytic conversion of CBD to psychoactive Δ9-tetrahydrocannainol (THC). However, research of pure CBD solutions stored in simulated gastric juice or subjected to various storage conditions such as heat and light with specific liquid chromatographic/tandem mass spectrometric (LC/MS/MS) and ultra-high pressure liquid chromatographic/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometric (UPLC-QTOF) analyses was unable to confirm THC formation. Another hypothesis for the side-effects of CBD products may be residual THC concentrations in the products as contamination, because most of them are based on crude hemp extracts containing the full spectrum of cannabinoids besides CBD. Analyses of 28 food products of the German market containing hemp extract as an ingredient (mostly CBD oils) confirmed this hypothesis: 10 products (36%) contained THC above the lowest observed adverse effects level (2.5 mg/day). Inversely, CBD was present in the products below the no observed adverse effect level. Hence, it may be assumed that the adverse effects of some commercial CBD products are based on a low-dose effect of THC and not due to effects of CBD itself. The safety, efficacy and purity of commercial CBD products is highly questionable, and all of the products in our sample collection showed various non-conformities to European food law such as unsafe THC levels, full-spectrum hemp extracts as non-approved novel food ingredients, non-approved health claims, and deficits in mandatory food labelling requirements. In view of the growing market for such lifestyle products, the effectiveness of the instrument of food business operators' own responsibility for product safety must obviously be challenged.

PIH9 UNMET NEED ASSOCIATED WITH AVAILABLE THERAPEUTIC OPTIONS FOR MANAGEMENT OF DYSPAREUNIA RELATED TO GENITOURINARY SYNDROME OF MENOPAUSE: A SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW

Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) is a chronic, progressive condition affecting up to 60% of post-menopausal women in the United States. Dyspareunia, or pain with sexual intercourse, has been recognized as one of GSM’s most bothersome symptoms. Despite high prevalence and availability of treatments, many women are not adequately managed, and unmet need remains. The objective of this systematic literature review was to characterize the unmet need. A systematic PubMed search for studies focusing on unmet need, efficacy, and safety of GSM treatments published from 2013-2018 was conducted using the PRISMA guidelines. Identified abstracts were scored by two independent reviewers to assess eligibility for inclusion. This yielded 116 full-text articles meeting the final inclusion criteria. Clinical guidelines recommend a step-wise approach to GSM management, utilizing over the counter (OTC) products as first-line therapies followed by prescription therapies as indicated for persistent symptoms. These products consist of systemic and vaginal estrogens, prasterone or synthetic dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and an oral selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM), with systemic estrogen therapy generally reserved for women with concomitant vasomotor symptoms. Studies have shown that OTC treatments provide only temporary symptomatic relief. Further, all estrogen products and SERMs have class-effect boxed warnings for endometrial cancer and adverse cardiovascular outcomes, causing reluctance among women and healthcare professionals (HCPs) to use these products. Given that GSM is a chronic condition requiring long-term treatment, many women and HCPs have safety concerns even with vaginal estrogens. Prasterone, a non-estrogen vaginal insert, does not carry a boxed warning and has demonstrated efficacy in moderate to severe dyspareunia due to menopause. Despite availability of multiple treatments for GSM, unmet need remains. Non-estrogen prasterone addresses both medical needs and safety concerns of HCPs and women suffering from moderate to severe dyspareunia associated with GSM.

Investigation Of Over The Counter (Otc ) Pharmaceutical Brands Prefered By New Age Indian Women

The study investigates the preference of OTC Medicines among the pharmaceutical brand.OTC Medicines means medicines lawfully permitted to sell “Over the Counter”, i.e. devoid of the prescription of a Registered Medical Practitioner. In India, although the expression has no lawful acknowledgment, all the medicines that are not incorporated in the list of ‘prescription only medicines’ are measured as non-prescription medicines (or OTC Medicines).Pharmaceutical over the counter products (OTC) be the medicines which can be sold without prescription. Also termed as “Non Prescription Medicines” discussed by Arti(2010).This article talks about top pharmaceutical company brands Aventis Pharma, GlaxoSmithKline, Surya Pharma, Torrent Pharma,Glenmark,Divis Labs,Biocon, Orchid Chemical, Abbott Indi, Sterling Bio, Alembic Pharma etc, the brand preference of New Age Indian Women. A 736 questionnaire was composed of different age and different New Age Indian Women in around Urban :Chennai ;Semi Urban :Neyveli ; Rural :Soolurpet ;Tirupur. The findings of the study shows that the highest preferred generic brand is balms, Medicines chosen for fever is Crocin, Idoex is most ideal pain blams, volini spray is also most preferred brand, ENO is ideal Antacid brand, Sadiron is another chosen brand for cough and cold, the other brands are Metfal SPS, Johnson, Revital are the other favored brands. The study will be a great instrument for the pharmaceutical companies brands to understand today’s New Age Indian Women.

COMPARATIVE QUALITY EVALUATION OF TWO BRANDS OF PARACETAMOL TABLETS OBTAINED FROM THE MARKET

Introduction: Paracetamol tablets are very common over the counter (OTC) products among the patients as a good analgesics s. It is the drug of choice in patients that cannot be treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), such as people with bronchial asthma, peptic ulcer disease, hemophilia, salicylate-sensitized people and children under 12 years of age, pregnant or breastfeeding women. Objective: The objective of this study was to compare the quality of the paracetamol tablet formulations those are locally available in India pharmaceutical market manufactured by various pharmaceutical companies with pharmacopeia standards. Materials and Methods: The two popular brands (A &amp; B) of paracetamol conventional tablet of 500 mg strength were chosen. The paracetamol tablets were obtained from the local medical shops. To compare the quality of tablet formulations of different brands various official parameters like friability, hardness, weight variation, disintegration time and dissolution were performed as per the standards mentioned in pharmacopoeia. Result and Conclusion: The result of all these parameters of different brands was in the Pharmacopoeial limits so it could be concluded that marketed pharmaceutical tablets of paracetamol of these brands are safe, effective and efficacious.

A Boost in Mitochondrial Activity Underpins the Cholesterol-Lowering Effect of Annurca Apple Polyphenols on Hepatic Cells.

Reduction in cholesterol blood levels represents one of the therapeutic goals to achieve in order to reduce the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases. Commonly, this goal is attempted by promoting healthy lifestyle behaviors and low-fat diets. Recently, several nutraceuticals have been shown to possess cholesterol-lowering properties and are becoming common over the counter products. Among others, apple polyphenols efficiently lower total cholesterol levels in humans and impact overall lipid metabolism. Malus Pumila Miller cv Annurca is an apple native to Southern Italy presenting one of the highest content of procyanidin B2, a dimeric procyanidin. Tested in clinical trials, the oral consumption of an Annurca polyphenolic extract (AAE) exerted a cholesterol-lowering effect similar to the statins Atorvastatin and Simvastatin. Despite AAE activity, the analysis of the molecular mechanism behind its cholesterol-lowering effect is unclear. Using isotope labeling and high-resolution mass spectrometry approaches we here performed a metabolic profiling of in vitro cultured human hepatocytes treated with AAE to reveal its mechanism of action. The results show that AAE acts differently than statins. The extract reprograms hepatic cell metabolism and promotes mitochondrial respiration, lipolysis and fatty acid β-oxidation. Citrate and acetyl-CoA, both necessary for the production of cholesterol, are diverted to the Krebs Cycle by AAE, that, ultimately, lowers cholesterogenesis and fatty acid synthesis.

Effect of Bedtime Melatonin Administration in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Triple-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Randomized Trial.

Melatonin is widely available as over the counter product. Despite promising effects of melatonin supplementation on glycemic control, there is a significant heterogeneity between studies. The current study aimed at determining the effect of melatonin on fasting blood glucose (FBG), insulin resistance/sensitivity indices, glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) among type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) population during 8 weeks in a randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Thirty four subjects with the mean age ± standard deviation of 57.74 ± 8.57 years and 36 subjects with the mean age of 57.61 ± 9.11 years were allocated to 6 mg nightly melatonin and placebo groups, respectively. Melatonin and placebo groups were matched by age, gender, body mass index, and duration of diabetes. Also, there was no significant difference in laboratory findings except for HbA1c, which was lower in the placebo group (7.00 ± 0.89% vs 7.60 ± 1.47%, P=0.042). After trial completion, the increase of serum levels of melatonin was greater in the intervention than the placebo group (3.38 ± 1.33 vs 0.94 ± 1.28 ng/L, P=0.192). Moreover, compared to placebo group, among melatonin users, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA1-IR) tended to be unfavorable at the end of follow-up [-0.51 (-1.76-0.81) vs. 0.28 (-1.24-1.74), P=0.20]; the similar trend was also shown for insulin sensitivity index (HOMA1-S) [2.33 (-3.59-12.46) vs. -2.33 (-10.61-9.16), P=0.148]. No differences were observed in FBG, HbA1C, and hs-CRP changes between the trial groups. The current study did not support the improving effect of melatonin on glucose homeostasis.

Understanding The Factors Driving Consumers’ Purchase Intention of Over The Counter Medications Using Social Media advertising In Egypt

Abstract In 2015, the Egyptian health authorities released a decree with a clear definition for over the counter medications. The decree allowed pharmaceutical companies to advertise their products directly to consumers via different advertising channels. The main objective of this research is to help pharmaceutical marketers in Egypt to better understand the factors that affect Egyptian consumers’ purchase intention. We advertised a cold and flu product as an example of over the counter product (OTC) using a Facebook advertising application. We then analyzed the data and we found that the Electronic Word of Mouth (E-WOM) had the highest percentage in affecting the consumer’s decisions. The strongest E-WOM factors were the sharing tool, followed by friends’ likes, and comments.

A clinico-epidemiological study of facial melanosis at a tertiary care center in Gujarat

Background: A group of heterogenous entities having the common clinical feature of altered facial pigmentation have been informally called as facial melanoses. Since, the cosmetic disfigurement is easily visible, it has a lot of impact on the psychological well being of the person. Aim: To assess the patients of facial hyper pigmentary disorders for demographic , etiological and clinical profile. Methods: A prospective clinical study was conducted in a tertiary care center in Gujarat over period of 6 months. 107 patients with facial hyper pigmentary disorders were assessed by detailed history and clinical examination. Results: In our study, most common age group which sought treatment was 30-50 years. Female were predominantly affected (2.5: 1). Six different facial melanosis were observed which included melasma, postinflammatory hyperpigmentation , nevus of ota, exogenous ochronosis, Addison’s disease, and Riehl’s melanosis. Melasma was the most common disorder reported by 94 patients out of 107. Limitations: Dermoscopy could not be done to resource constraint. Conclusion: Increase in awareness and concern with appearance has led to an increase in reported incidence of facial melanosis in both sexes. Prior application of over the counter products poses difficulty in correct evaluation and treatment. Psychological evaluation forms an integral part of the treatment of these patients.

Use of over the counter products in older cardiovascular patients admitted to a tertiary care center in USA

BackgroundIn recent years there has been a substantial increase in the use of over-the-counter (OTC) products around the world. While they are assumed to be safe by consumers, they can potentially lead to adverse effects and drug interactions particularly in older adults.MethodsWe assessed the patterns of OTC products used by older adults admitted to the cardiology service in a tertiary care medical center in the USA over a three month period. We conducted a retrospective chart review where older adults with cardiovascular diseases (CVD) who were taking at least one OTC product at home were included.ResultsOut of 404 patients who were admitted to the cardiology service, 281 (69.6%) were taking OTC products. Patients were taking a total of 659 OTC products; mean of 2.35 ± 1.57 and the range varied from 1 to 9 products. The most commonly used products were vitamins (37.3%), followed by laxatives (17%), minerals (13.6%), stomach acid reducers (9%), and analgesics (3.6%). OTC users were found to be suffering from more comorbidities and received more prescription medications as compared to non-users. Gender and age did not have an impact on the use of OTC products while patients with atrial fibrillation, sleep apnea and gastro-esophageal reflux disease were more likely to use OTC products.ConclusionUse of OTC products is quite frequent in older adults with CVD in our study. Clinicians should ask about OTC product usage and counsel patients about the risks and benefits associated with their use.