Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 8, 2026

Oral Health Assessment by Lay Personnel for Older Adults
Published on: February 2, 2020
Over-the-counter medicines and the elderly
N L Barnett1, M J Denham, S A Francis
1Northwick Park Hospital. nina.barnett@bigfoot.com
Abstract:
Sales of over-the-counter (OTC) medicines are rising, and will continue to rise as more products are reclassified from prescription-only status to OTC medicines (either pharmacy-only or general sales list). Patients and doctors often omit discussion of OTC medicines when giving or taking a medication history. This has serious potential for identifying adverse drug reactions and drug-drug interactions, which are more common in older people. Therefore, medication histories should include documentation of any OTC medicines taken.
Related Concept Videos
Prescription, Nonprescription and Orphan Drugs
The misuse and addiction to prescription drugs is a growing problem that can affect people of all age groups, specifically teenagers. This can happen when prescription medications are used in ways not intended by the prescriber, such as taking someone else's prescription or using medication for...
Drug Dosing: Geriatric Patients
Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Absorption
Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Distribution
Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Metabolism
Pharmacodynamics in Geriatric Patients: Effects of Age

