“Citizens Serving Communities” Medications and flying Major John E. Henderson, CAP NREMT-Paramedic Mission Check Pilot Lt Col Jett Mayhew DDR Team Leader

“Citizens Serving Communities” How to deal with the common cold  Stay home and rest!  Don’t smoke and avoid 2 nd hand smoke  Drink plenty of fluids (water, juices, clear soups)  NO ALCOHOL!  Gargle with warm salt water to relieve a sore throat. Throat Sprays or Lozenges.  Salt Water nose drops to loosen mucus and moisten tender skin in the nose

“Citizens Serving Communities” What does OTC mean?  OTC = Over the Counter No prescription required by physician No prescription required by physician  Four common types Pain Relievers Pain Relievers Antihistamines Antihistamines Decongestants Decongestants Cough Medicines Cough Medicines

“Citizens Serving Communities” How to read an OTC drug label  Active Ingredient (Relieves your symptoms)  Uses (Approved by FDA)  Warnings (What to avoid while on this Rx)  Directions (How much to take and when)  Other Information (How to store product)  Inactive Ingredients (Non active ingredients)  Questions or comments (Toll Free Phone #)

“Citizens Serving Communities” OTC Drug Label

“Citizens Serving Communities” Pain Relievers  Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID’s) Works in the Skin, Muscles, and Joints Works in the Skin, Muscles, and Joints Aspirin(Bayer, St. Joseph’s)Aspirin(Bayer, St. Joseph’s) Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB)Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB) Naproxen (Aleve)Naproxen (Aleve) Ketoprofen(Orudis KT)Ketoprofen(Orudis KT)  Acetaminophen Blocks painful stimulation in the brain and spinal cord Blocks painful stimulation in the brain and spinal cord (Tylenol, Tempra)(Tylenol, Tempra)

“Citizens Serving Communities” Antihistamines  Block receptors that trigger itching, nasal irritation, sneezing and mucus production. Types: Types: Diphenhydramine(Banophen, Benadryl, Diphenhist)Diphenhydramine(Banophen, Benadryl, Diphenhist) Brompheniramine (Dimetapp)Brompheniramine (Dimetapp) Chlorpheniramine(Aller-Chlor, Chlor-Trimeton)Chlorpheniramine(Aller-Chlor, Chlor-Trimeton)

“Citizens Serving Communities” Decongestants  How do decongestants work? Narrow the blood vessels in the lining of the nose. Narrow the blood vessels in the lining of the nose. Less amount of blood is able to flow through the nasal area Less amount of blood is able to flow through the nasal area Swollen tissue in the nose shrinks Swollen tissue in the nose shrinks  Pseudoephedrine (Allermed, Genaphed, and Sudafed) (Allermed, Genaphed, and Sudafed)

“Citizens Serving Communities” Cough Medicines Antitussives Block the cough reflex Block the cough reflex Dextromethorphan (Delsym, Drixoral, Pertussin CS, Robitussin Pediatric)Dextromethorphan (Delsym, Drixoral, Pertussin CS, Robitussin Pediatric)Expectorants Thin mucus, make coughing more productive in cleaning mucus from the airway Thin mucus, make coughing more productive in cleaning mucus from the airway Guaifenesin (Guiatuss, Robitussin, Tusibron)Guaifenesin (Guiatuss, Robitussin, Tusibron)

“Citizens Serving Communities” Side Effects of Aspirin and NSAID’s  GI Problems Can range from upset stomach to GI bleeding Can range from upset stomach to GI bleeding Mostly affects the older population Mostly affects the older population Chances increase with larger doses Chances increase with larger doses  Kidney damage  High blood Pressure  Liver damage

“Citizens Serving Communities” Side Effects of Acetaminophen  Long term users = kidney disease  Analgesic nephropathy Chronic kidney disease that gradually leads to end-stage renal disease and the need for permanent dialysis or a kidney transplant to restore renal function. Chronic kidney disease that gradually leads to end-stage renal disease and the need for permanent dialysis or a kidney transplant to restore renal function. After years or decades of use After years or decades of use

“Citizens Serving Communities” Side Effects of Antihistamines  Sedation or Drowsiness  Increases the risk of falling  Temporary dry mouth or eyes

“Citizens Serving Communities” Side Effects of Decongestants  Nervousness  Dizziness  Sleeplessness  Loss of appetite  Retention of urine  Heart Palpitations  High Blood Pressure  High Blood Sugar Levels

“Citizens Serving Communities” Side Effects of Cough Medicine  With codeine Nausea Nausea Sedation Sedation Constipation Constipation  With dextromethorphan (Drixoral, Pertussin, and Robitussin) Lower risks of sedation and GI effects Lower risks of sedation and GI effects Feelings of confusion, agitation, nervousness, and irritability Feelings of confusion, agitation, nervousness, and irritability

“Citizens Serving Communities” Drug Interaction  All drugs are metabolized differently  Drugs can have greater impacts on the body if mixed with other drugs  Always seek medical advice if taking multiple medications

“Citizens Serving Communities” Alcohol  Alcohol will increase chances for: GI Bleeding GI Bleeding  Alcohol will increase effects of: Drowsiness Drowsiness Impaired motor skills Impaired motor skills Sedation Sedation

“Citizens Serving Communities” FAA Medications  al/druglist.cfm al/druglist.cfm al/druglist.cfm  What is allowed by the FAA!

“Citizens Serving Communities” FAA Medications DO NOT ANSWER OUT LOUD!!! How many of you have taken benadryl due to a cold? That is not allowed by the FAA!! STOP AND THINK THE LIFE YOU SAVE MAY BE YOU AND YOUR CREW

“Citizens Serving Communities” CAP – DDR and USAF TEAMWORK FOR THE FUTURE