Over the Counter and Into Trouble: OTC Drug Overdoses

Research shows that 81% of adults use over-the-counter medicines for minor illnesses and ailments before or instead of consulting with a physician or other healthcare provider. A common misconception is that a drug that is sold over the counter is safe to take no matter what it’s being used to treat, how much is taken, or what other non-prescription and prescription drugs are being taken concurrently. However, tens of thousands of overdoses involving OTC drugs are reported each year, some with life-threatening effects. Participants will learn why OTC drug overdoses occur, which drugs can result in serious toxicity, and how OTC drug overdoses can be prevented.