Let’s Learn

As a wise and healthy consumer, you want to be sure that the medicines you
purchase is safe and effective. But did you know that even safe and government
approved medicines can cause undesirable side effects to the body when misused
and abused?
After going through this module, you are expected to:
➢ differentiate over-the-counter from prescription medicines
➢ give examples of over the counter and prescription medicines

Let’s Try

Directions: Encircle the letter or the correct answer.

1. It helps regulate normal bowel movement. It is also helps to relieve the pain
and discomfort caused by constipation.
A. Antipyretic B. Antiseptic C. Decongestant D. Laxative

2. It is referred to as sedatives or tranquilizers, are medicines that slow down the

central nervous system, which includes the brain, spinal cord, and nerves.
A. Antihypertensive B. Depressant C. Narcotics D. Stimulants

3. ____________ can be ordered and bought from drugstores and pharmacies

upon presentation of a prescription from a medical professional.
A. Consumer Health C. Over- the- Counter
B. Medicine D. Prescription Medicine

4. _____________ is also known as nonprescription medicine. It is ordered and

bought over the counter of drugstores or pharmacies.
A. Consumer Health C. Over- the- Counter
B. Medicine D. Prescription Medicine

5. It helps control the acid level of the stomach and relieve the pain and discomfort
caused by such condition. It helps treat heartburn and indigestion.
A. Analgesics B. Antacid C. Antipyretic D. Antiseptic

6. It helps treat swelling of body parts due to infection.

A. Anti-inflammatory B. Antipyretic C. Antacid D. Antidiarrheal

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 7. ________is define as a compound or preparation used for prevention or
treatment of diseases
A. Consumer Health C. Over- the- Counter
B. Medicine D. Prescription Medicine

8. ________are medicines that can relax the body and cause numbness.
A. Narcotics B. Depressants C. Antihypertensive D. Antibiotic

9. It helps treat loose bowel movement or LBM, a loose, watery and frequent
defecation.
A. Analgesics B. Antidiarrheal C. Antacid D. Antipyretic

10. It helps lower body temperature during a fever.

A. Antidiarrheal B. Antacid C. Antipyretic D. Decongestant

Let’s Recall

1. Do you watch television or listen to the radio broadcast? _________________

2. What brand of medicines do you usually see or hear being advertised?

______________________________________________________________

3. What does each advertisement say about the medicines?

______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________

Let’s Explore

Medicines is define as a compound or preparation used for prevention or

treatment of diseases. Most medicines are taken orally, other are applied on the skin,
inhaled, taken intravenously (injected) or inserted in the anus.

Over- the- counter (OTC) Medicine is also known as nonprescription medicine.

It is ordered and bought over the counter of drugstores or pharmacies. One does not
need to present a prescription from a doctor to buy an over- the- counter medicine
experienced during illness. OTC is used to treat or prevent common communicable
disease and symptoms experienced during an illness or when the body is not felling
well.

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 Common OTC medicines:
1. Analgesics- helps treat mild body pain but is not anti-inflammatory.
Example : paracetamol and mefenamic acid
2. Antidiarrheal – helps treat loose bowel movement or LBM, a loose, watery
and frequent defecation. There are two types of antidiarrheal medicines- one
that solidifies the stool and one that relieves stomach pain and slows down
intestinalcontraction.
Example: Loperamide
3. Antacid – helps control the acid level of the stomach and relieve the pain
and discomfort caused by such condition. It helps treat heartburn and
indigestion. Heartburn is a burning sensation in the chest caused by an
ulcer or other gastro-esophageal problem. Indigestion ids the ability to
digest food properly producing high acid levels.
4. Antipyretic – helps lower body temperature during a fever.
Example: Aspirin and paracetamol
5. Anti-inflammatory- helps treat swelling of body parts due to infection.
Example: aspirin and ibuprofen
6. Antiseptic – helps prevent the spread of pathogens. There are antiseptics
that are external use only and applied on skin, or taken orally to cleanse the
mouth but are not to be allowed to swallowed.
Example: Rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, and iodine
7. Decongestant – helps to relieve nasal and chest congestion and difficulty in
breathing caused by build-up of phlegm and mucus around the nasal and
bronchial lining. Decongestant medicines help by decreasing swelling around
the affected area and makes breathing easy again.
8. Laxative- helps regulate normal bowel movement. It is also helps to relieve
the pain and discomfort caused by constipation. Constipation is a condition
in which there are irregularity and difficulty in emptying the bowels.

Prescription medicine can be ordered and bought from drugstores and

pharmacies upon presentation of a prescription from a medical professional.
Prescription medicine is more-potent than over-the-counter medicine and is
dangerous when misused or abused.
General information found in a prescription are:
a. Name of the hospital or clinic
b. Name of patient
c. Prescription date
d. Name of the medicines
e. Frequency
f. Name of medicine
g. Dosage
h. Name and signature of the physician

Some prescription medicines are:

1. Antibiotic- destroy pathogens or harmful microorganism that cause diseases.
Patients need a doctor’s instructions before taking antibiotics, especially those
with higher doses.
2. Antihypertensive helps control and maintain blood pressure. High blood
pressure, if not managed well, may damage vital organs, which can lead to

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 heart attack and kidneys problems.
3. Depressants, referred to as sedatives or tranquilizers, are medicines that slow
down the central nervous system, which includes the brain, spinal cord, and
nerves. They alter one’s mood and make the body feel relaxed. These are given
to people who experience depressions, have mental problems or disorders, or
those about to undergo surgical operations.
4. Narcotics- are medicines that can relax the body and cause numbness. They
relieve body pains and create pleasurable feelings. They are given to people
with mental disorders or those undergoing psychiatric treatment and
rehabilitation.
5. Stimulants – energize the central nervous system. They can make the heart
beat faster than normal and raise breathing patterns.

The most important thing to remember about prescription are that:

• Doctor’s specifically match the medicine, dosage, and duration to the
patient’s exact condition
• Patients should not purchase prescription medicines on their own
• Patients should complete the prescribed cycle of medication. If the
medication taken is incomplete (i.e. antibiotic is taken for days instead of
the prescribed 7 days), patient may begin feel better. This does not mean
though that the bacteria have already been eliminated. This also means
that the bacteria will lie dormant, and the infection will recur, usually in a
more aggressive manner, and will need stronger medication.
Both over-the-counter and prescription medicines are beneficial to one’s
health and well-being when taking properly. When abused and misused,
they can alter body functions and processes and produce negative effects
that can put a person’s life at risk.

Let’s Elaborate

Directions: Identify if the following medicines is Over- the- Counter Medicine or

Prescription medicine

_______________1. Aspirin _____________6. Prednisone

_______________2. Synthroid _____________7. Iodine
_______________3. paracetamol _____________8. Cephalexin
_______________4. Amoxicillin _____________9. Ibuprofen
_______________5. Loperamide ____________10. Cefdinir

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 Let’s Dig In

Directions: Classify the words under proper heading

Analgesics Antacid Antibiotic Antidiarrheal

Antihypertensive Anti-inflammatory Antipyretic Antiseptic
Decongestant Depressant Laxative Narcotics
Stimulants

Over- the- Counter Medicine Prescription Medicine

Let’s Remember

Medicines is defined as a compound or preparation used for prevention or treatment

of diseases. Most medicines are taken orally, other are applied on the skin, inhaled,
taken intravenously (injected) or inserted in the anus.

Over- the- counter (OTC) Medicine is also known as nonprescription medicine. It is

ordered and bought over the counter of drugstores or pharmacies. One does not need
to present a prescription from a doctor to buy an over- the- counter medicine
experienced during illness. OTC is used to treat or prevent common communicable
disease and symptoms experienced during an illness or when the body is not felling
well.
Prescription medicine can be ordered and bought from drugstores and pharmacies
upon presentation of a prescription from a medical professional. Prescription medicine
is more-potent than over-the-counter medicine and is dangerous when misused or
abused.

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 Let’s Apply

Make a list of medicines that your family uses regularly. Talk to family members to
help you complete the list. Classify each medicine as over-the-counter or
prescription.

Grandfather Grandmother
_________________ _________________
_________________ _________________
_________________ _________________
_________________ _________________
____ ____

Father Mother
_________________ _________________
_________________ _________________
_________________ _________________
_________________ _________________
____ ____

Brother Sister
_________________ _________________
_________________ _________________
_________________ _________________
_________________ _________________
____ ____

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 Let’s Evaluate

Directions: Match the medicines in column A with their uses in column B. Write the
letter of your answer on the space provided
Column A Column B
______1. Antacid A. relieves nasal or chest congestion
______2. Analgesic B. soothes and calms nervous condition
______3. Antipyretic C. lower blood pressure
______4. Laxative D. lowers acid levels in the stomach
______5. Decongestant E. regulates bowel movement
______6. Antibiotics F. destroys pathogens
______7. Stimulants G. relieves pain
______8. Antihypertensive H. reduce fever
______9. Depressants I. stimulates central nervous system
______10. Narcotics J. prevent the spread of pathogens
K. relax body and cause numbness

Let’s Extend

Make an informercial video shoot about OTC drugs and prescription drugs. The video
should be between 3-5 minutes only. It should educate viewers about the advantages and
disadvantages of medicine use.

References
• Jo-ann G. Garcia, Johannssen C. Yap, Alcar E. Saraza, Rachelle U.
Peneyra, Hadassah A. Castro Dafrosa Y. Zagala, Roberto C. Sombillo , PhD
PE and Health for Fun 6”

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 Development Team of the Module
Writers: RAINELDA D. DELA CRUZ

Editors:
Content Evaluator: GLADYS XZIERA D. RAMOS
Language Evaluator: DENNIS C. SANTOS
Reviewers: DIANE D. HERRERA

Illustrator: RAINELDA D. DELA CRUZ

MA. CRISTINA M. JAVIER
Layout Artist: MA. CRISTINA M. JAVIER
Management Team: DR. MARGARITO B. MATERUM, SDS
DR. GEORGE P. TIZON, SGOD Chief
DR. ELLERY G. QUINTIA, CID Chief
MR. SHOJI GERONA, EPS – MAPEH
DR. DAISY L. MATAAC, EPS – LRMS/ALS

For inquiries, please write or call:

Schools Division of Taguig City and Pateros Upper Bicutan Taguig City

Telefax: 8384251

Email Address: sdo.tapat@deped.gov.ph