IUPUI is Indiana's premier urban research university. The campus enrolls more than 30,000 students in 21 schools and academic units.
Health Services
Health Education
General Health
Over The Counter Medications
| Symptom | Possible OTC Medications | Generic Name | Interactions with other meds | Contraindications |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Headache, Fever, Aches/Pains | Tylenol | acetaminophen | isoniazid, Phenobarbital, phnytoin, zidovudine, sulfinpyrazone | liver disease, hepatitis, alcohol abuse |
| Advil (NSAID) [nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory], Motrin | ibuprofen | oral bisphosphonates, arthritis medications, blood thinners, corticosteroids, cyclosporine, drugs for high blood pressure, lithium, diuretics | kidney disease, asthma, diabetes, stomach ulcers, esophageal problems, heart disease, high blood pressure, bleeding or clotting disorders, pregnancy | |
| Bayer (NSAID), Excedrin | aspirin | blood thinners, ibuprofen, naproxen sodium, corticosteroids, high blood pressure drugs, SSRI antidepressants, diuretics, recent live vaccines | liver disease, ulcers or other stomach problems, bleeding or clotting disorders, asthma, anemia, untreated hyperthyroidism, pregnancy | |
| Aleve (NSAID) | aproxen sodium | anti-platelet drugs, oral bisphosphonates, blood thinners, corticosteroids, cyclosporine, high blood pressure drugs, lithium, SSRI antidepressants, diuretics | kidney disease, liver disease, stomach/intestine/esophageal problems, heart disease, high blood pressure, blood disorders, bleeding or clotting problems, pregnancy | |
| Indigestion, Heartburn | Pepto-Bismol | bismuth subsalicylate | aspirin, blood thinners, tetracycline antibiotics, medication for diabetes | pregnant, nursing |
| Pepcid AC | famotidine | H-2 antaganoists, azole antifungals | immune system problems, kidney disease, liver disease, asthma, lung disorders, stomach problems | |
| Tums | calcium carbonate | vitamins, tetracycline, quinolone antibiotics, gallium nitrate, cellulose sodium phosphate, etidronate, magnesium sulfate, phenytoin,, large amounts of bread or whole grains, alcohol, caffeine, tobacco smoking | diarrhea, parathyroid disease, lung disease, kidney stones | |
| Prilosec OTC | Omeprazole | Alters absorption of medications needing acid pH (ketaconazole, digoxin), diazepam, warfarin | ||
| Mylanta | Aluminum & magnesium hydroxide | Not to be taken with meds that require acidic stomach | ||
| Zantac | ranitidine | H-2 antagonists, ketoconazole, itraconazole, metoprolol, triazolam | porphyria, kidney problems, liver problems | |
| Diarrhea | Ka-Pec | attapulgite | aluminum salts/selected chelation agents, di-trivalent cations/tetracyclines, sucralfate, aluminum compounds, thyroid preparations | heart disease, pregnancy |
| Pepto Bismol (Also good to prevent traveler's diarrhea) | bismuth subsalicylate | aspirin, blood thinners, tetracycline antibiotics, medication for diabetes | pregnant, nursing | |
| Imodium | loperamide | cholestyramine, quinidine, ritonavir, saquinavir, loperamide | liver problems, acute ulcerative colitis, stomach/intestinal infections | |
| Constipation | Dulcolax tablets | bisacodyl | Antacids, milk | Do not repeat if no bowel movement within 12 hours of taking dulcolax. |
| Colace | docusate sodium | other laxatives/softeners | nausea, vomiting, stomach pain; megacolon, signs of appendicitis | |
| Allergies | Benadryl | diphenhydramine | MAO inhibitors, antispasmodics, drugs for Parkinson's disease, scopolamine, tricyclic antidepressants | asthma, emphysema, glaucoma, heart problems, high blood pressure, liver disease, seizures, overactive thyroid, difficulty urinating |
| Chlor-hist | chlorpheniramine | MAO inhibitors, antispasmodics, drugs for Parkinson’s disease, scopolamine, tricyclic antidepressants | asthma, emphysema, glaucoma, heart problems, high blood pressure, liver disease, seizures, overactive thyroid, urination problems | |
| Tavist | clemastine | antispasmodics, anticholinergics, MAO inhibitors, drugs that cause drowsiness | asthma, emphysema, glaucoma, heart problems, high blood pressure, liver disease, seizures, overactive thyroid, urination problems | |
| Claritin | loratadine | cough-and-cold products that also contain antihistamines, alcohol | kidney disease, liver disease, breast feeding | |
| Cold** | Tylenol Cold | acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, guaifenesin, phenylephrine | See chart for acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, and quaifenesin. Phenylephrine – MAO inhibitors | See chart for acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, and quaifenesin. Phenylephrine – high blood pressure, diabetes, difficulty urinating, thyroid disease, heart disease |
| Sudafed PE | acetaminophen, diphenhydramine, phenylephrine | See chart for acetaminophen and diphenhydramine. Phenylephrine – MAO inhibitors | See chart for acetaminophen and diphenhydramine. Phenylephrine – MAO inhibitors | |
| Theraflu | acetaminophen, phenylephrine | See chart for acetaminophen. Phenylephrine – MAO inhibitors | ||
| Nyquil | acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, doxylamine & pseudoephredrine | Avoid other cold medicines with same ingredients. Other brand names include Alka Seltzer Cold, Robitussing Night cold, Tylenol Flu Nighttime | MAO inhibitors within 14 days, isoniazid, dilantin, zidovudine, celebrex. | |
| Cough | Robitussin, Vicks 44 Cough Relief | dextromethorphan | MAO inhibitors, butramine, memantine | asthma, emphysema |
| Mucinex DM | guaifenesin | cough-and-cold products that also contain guaifenesin | emphysema, chronic bronchitis, asthma, productive coughs, diabetes, alcohol dependence, liver disease | |
| Fungal skin infections | Tinactin | tolnaftate | To treat skin infections, not nails | pregnancy |
| Lamisil AT | terbinafine | To treat skin infections, not nails | pregnancy | |
| Sleep | Benadryl-see Allergies above | brand names-sleepinal, sominex, unisom | ||
* This is not a complete list of drugs for each symptom, interactions, or contraindications. Read labels carefully to determine the right medication to treat your symptoms. Contact your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you are unsure about a drug.
** The medication that you choose for colds should depend on the symptoms that you have. The above drug names are common for cold treatment, but read the label carefully to ensure that you are choosing the medication that treats only the symptoms you have.
