Over-the-counter medication: an emerging and neglected drug abuse?

Abstract

Abuse of over-the-counter (OTC) medicines is an under-researched and neglected area within the field of substance abuse. The aim of this paper is to raise awareness of the issues surrounding this subject. The paucity of research makes it difficult to comment conclusively on the problem, but studies based on pharmacist perceptions indicate that middle-aged females are particularly affected by OTC medication abuse. The most problematic of the OTC medicines is currently perceived to be Nytolr`, the brand name for the sedative antihistamine diphenhydramine, and which is marketed as a sleep aid. Diphenhydramine is used as a case study to illustrate the type of drugs available OTC and the potentially harmful problems that can arise as a consequence of their unregulated use and supply.