Prescription drug routes of transmission and side effects

Prescription Drug Comparison

The rate at which Americans consume prescription or over-the-counter pharmaceuticals has increased significantly during the last two decades, and today "the number of prescriptions filled each year increased by 39% between 1999 and 2009 & #8230; while the average American fills 12 prescriptions each year" (Rice, 2012). I have selected a total of five medications commonly found throughout the typical home, and recorded the route of transmission for each substance. In addition, the various side effects experienced after taking each of these drugs are described in detail.

Ibuprofen

Route of Transmission: When presented with headache symptoms or other localized pain issues, two disintegrating tablets each containing 200mg of ibuprofen, are ingested orally along with water. While ibuprofen is available in a number of brand names, including Advil and Motrin, I happen to take a generic version of the drug for the sake of practicality.

Side Effects: During periods of extreme stress I suffer from migraines, and often find myself taking a couple ibuprofen pills every few hours if the pain is especially intense. When I do this, I invariably feel the discomfort of heartburn and its related acid reflux issues.

Guaifenesin and Codeine (Robitussin)

Route of Transmission: During the Fall and Winter months, the onset of cold weather has never failed to afflict me with either the common cold or the flu. In either case, keeping a bottle of Robitussin in the medicine cabinet is a necessity to avoid chronic coughing, sneezing and associated symptoms. In my case, when I feel myself falling ill, three 5mL teaspoons of the cough syrup are ingested orally.

Side Effects: Combined the natural fatigue of being sick, the typical dosage of Robitussin causes me to become lethargic and drowsy, but this is a desirable result and would not be considered an adverse side effect. In the rare cases in which Robitussin has been taken before driving or other complex activities, I have definitely experienced the side effect of becoming dizzy and disorientated.

Norgestimate and Ethynyl Estradiol (Ortho Tri-Cyclen)

Route of Transmission: Like the majority of women my age, I take the birth control pill to avoid unwanted pregnancy. This collection of orally ingested disintegrating tablets are taken once per day, and depending on the color of the pill, contains a varying amount of the progestational compound norgestimate, and the estrogenic compound ethinyl estradiol.

Side Effects: The most common side effects of Ortho Tri-Cyclen are vaginal bleeding, cramping, and headaches.

Amoxicillin (Amoxil)

Route of Transmission: I have a large bottle of amoxicillin capsules in my medicine cabinet to provide antibiotic care in the event I contract a common infection. Because I commonly suffer from ear infections, I take one of these orally ingested 500mg capsules every eight hours, when an infection occurs.

Side Effects: After taking amoxicillin for a period of 48 hours or more, I usually experience nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, at which point I discontinue treatment.