Consumer Chemistry

Quarter 4 – Module 2:
Prescription Medicines vs. Over the Counter Medicines
Activity 1.

Direction: List five (5 examples of medicines you are familiar with and provide their adverse reaction based
on your experience.

Medicine Allergic Reaction/Side Effect

Claritin (Loratadine) Sleepiness, dry mouth

ACTIVITY 2: OTC vs Rx
Direction: Read the statements below the Venn diagram and decide whether they apply to over-
the-counter (OTC) or prescription (Rx) medicines or both. Use the Venn diagram below
to classify the statements.

About Medicines: Rx, OTC, or both?

 1. Children should take medicine with the supervision of permission of a parent or trusted adult.
2. This medicine should be used only by the person for whom the medicine was ordered.
3. This medicine is prescribed by a doctor for one person.
4. The medicine label, including the directions, must be read and followed carefully before use.
5. This medicine can be bought without a doctor’s prescription.
6. Medicines are dangerous if misused or abused.
7. A healthcare professional or your local poison center can answer questions about this medicine.

ACTIVITY 3: Right Dose

Direction: Below is a sample dosing table, similar to one you would find on a Drug Facts label. Use the
table as well as your knowledge about medicine safety to answer the questions below.

Children under 6 years of age Ask a doctor

Children 6 to under 12 years of
age
Adults and children 12 years of
age and over
Adults 65 years of age and over
2.5 mL (½ teaspoonful) two times per day;
do not give more than 5 mL (1 teaspoonful)
in 24 hours
5 mL (1 teaspoonful) two times per day; do
not take more than 10 mL (2 teaspoonful)
in 24 hours
5 mL (1 teaspoonful) two times per day

Guide Questions

1. Olivia is 12 years old, and her parents gave her a first dose of this medicine at 8 a.m. They gave her
a second dose at 3 p.m. the same day. By the evening, she is still not feeling better. Based on the
table above, when can Olivia’s parents give her another dose of this medicine?
2. What might happen if someone used a kitchen spoon to measure out a dose of this medicine?
3. Why do you think doses aren’t the same for all age groups? Why would parents of children under
six years of age need to ask a doctor before administering this medicine?
4. Why is it important to always discuss medicine dosing with a parent or trusted adult?
5. How can you use what you’ve learned about dosing to help your family use over-the-counter (OTC)
medicines more safely?

Activity 4: Taking Medications

Direction: Read the statements below. Decide what should be done in each situation. Write your answer
on the blank.

1. Trevor has felt puffy in his nasal and sinus passages. What should he do?
2. Lana have fever and minor aches and pains. What should she do?
3. Jay feels pain and inflammation in his feet from walking this morning. What should he do?
4. Ted is sneezing and have watery eyes. What should he do?
5. Tom haven’t excreted in the past few days. What should he do?
6. Ley went to the gym and my leg muscles are aching. What should she do?
7. Lady have persistent loose stools for three days now. What should she do?
8. Jam seems that I have phlegm. What should she do?
9. Garry feels a burning pain in his chest after I drank 6 cups of coffee. What should he do?
10. Ann sneezes too many times today. What should she do?