The Country Doctor receives no money or gifts for listing these medications. These links are listed to help patients with questions about their prescription medications,including some over the counter medications (OTC). Here is a list of the sections on this page:

Please click on the indexed shortcuts below to go to the referenced section of the web page.

Medicine Record Form

• Blood pressure tracking programs Palm OS Windows Desktop Thanks to one of my patients for the links.
• Glucose tracking application for Palm OS
• Glucose Log Book for Palm OS HandDbase
• Keep track of important medicine information.
• Keep track of important medicine information in .pdf. Adobe Acrobat format.

Adobe Acrobat Download, to view .PDF files.

 Common Medications   Click Here to return to the index.

• Accupril An ACE inhibitor for blood pressure control.
• Advair A combination medication for asthma and COPD.
• Alka-seltzer Cold, flu, heartburn medications, OTC
• Allegra A prescription antihistamine. Available in Generic
• Ambien A web site about a common sleep medication.
• Amoxicillin A web site about a commonly prescribed antibiotic.
• Aricept A web site about a common Alzheimer's treatment medication.
• Augmentin A web site about a commonly prescribed, penicillin-based antibiotic.
• Avandia A diabetic medication.
• Benadryl An over the counter antihistamine.
• Cardizem A calcium channel blocker.
• Celexa.com
• Cialis A preview on the main Lilly home page for this new ED drug, pending FDA approval.
• Ciloxan A conjunctivitis treatment medication.
• Cipro A common antibiotic.
• Claritin An over the counter, non-sedating antihistamine.
• Combivent Albuterol and atrovent for COPD.
• Coumadin A web site about coumadin (warfarin).
• Coumadin and foods to avoid (Vitamin K containing food database from USDA)
• Detrol LA An incontinence medication.
• Diflucan A yeast infection treatment medication.
• Dimetapp A web site for infant, children, and adult cold/flu medications.
• Drugs.com Another drug index, including drug interactions.
• DRUG INDEX Searchable index of prescription drug information
• Drug Top 200 The 200 most commonly prescribed drugs.
• Ecotrin An enteric coated aspirin.
• Elidel A steroid-free treatment for eczema.
• Exelon A medication for Alzheimers.
• Family Health A web site with a link to a brochure about general medication safety tips in children.
• Flonase An allergic rhinitis/seasonal allergy nasal spray.
• Fosamax A web site about an osteoporosis prevention medication.
• GENERIC DRUGS AND THEIR ADVANTAGES
• Glucophage XR A diabetic medication.
• Levaquin A commonly prescribed outpatient antibiotic.
• Levitra A new, long acting ED treatment medication.
• Lipitor A cholesterol lowering medication.
• Motrin A web site about motrin (ibuprofen) for pain and fever.
• Orthotricyclin. A common birth control pill.
• Paxil A web site about an antidepressant medication. Do not take if you are under age 18.
• Pepcid An over the counter ulcer medication.
• Percocet A narcotic pain medication.
• Prempro A web site about a menopause treatment medication. THIS MEDICATION IS NOT RECOMMENDED, as the 5/28/03 JAMA has studies showing that this medication increases the risks of stroke, heart attack, and dementia in healthy women.
• Prevacid A stomach acid inhibiting medication for ulcer treatment.
• Prilosec: A link to the new OTC version (nonprescription)
• Protonix A stomach acid inhibiting medication for ulcer treatment.
• Prozac A web site about an antidepressant medication.
• Prednisone A web site with a commonly used steroid.
• Singulair An asthma medication.
• Synthroid A medication for hypothyroidism.
• Tylenol A web site about children and adult medications for fever and pain.
• Ultram A pain medication.
• Viagra An erectile dysfunction treatment medication.
• Xanax An anti-anxiety medication for short-term use.
• Zetia A cholesterol lowering medication
• Zithromax A commonly prescribed antibiotic, sometimes called a "Z-Pak." Now in generic
• Zocor A high cholesterol treatment medication. Available in Generic
• Zoloft A web site about an antidepressant medication.
• Zyban A medication for smoking cessation.
• Zyrtec An antihistamine for kids and adults. Available OTC and in generic.

*Please note that The Country Doctor will prescribe an appropriate medication which may or may not be on this list of medications. These medications represent a sampling of commonly-prescribed medications and commonly-used over the counter medications. We often prescribe generic medications to save the patient money.

Please note that the list of commonly-recommended medications is for established patients and is not to be used for medical advice outside of The Country Doctor's patients. Please call with any questions about the medications or dosing of over the counter medications. Take any over the counter medication at your own risk.

What dose of Acetaminophen (Tylenol) could I give my baby or child? What dose of Ibuprofen (Motrin) could I give my baby or child? What dose of Benadryl could I give my baby or child? Prior to giving any of the listed medications, please consult a physician if the person is under 12 months of age, has an infection, and/or has a potentially serious life-threatening illness.

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Do not give Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen at the same time. You may use Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen as alternating dosing methods, such as a dose of Tylenol and then 4 hours later a dose of Ibuprofen. Please read the side of the package for additional warnings.

Infant Tylenol (Acetaminophen) at 80mg/0.8cc:

• 8-11 pounds: 0.4 cc (40mg) every 4 hours as needed
• 12-15 pounds: 0.6 cc (60mg) every 4 hours as needed
• 16-19 pounds: 0.8 cc (80mg) every 4 hours as needed
• 20-23 pounds: 1.2 cc (120mg) every 4 hours as needed
• 24-30 pounds: 1.6 cc (160mg) every 4 hours as needed

Infant Motrin (Ibuprofen), available usually as 50mg/1.25cc; Please note that the manufacturer does not recommend using Motrin under age 12 months.

• 4-18 pounds: 1.25 cc (50mg) every 6 hours as needed
• 18-24 pounds: 2.5 cc (100mg) every 6 hours as needed

Children's Tylenol (Acetaminophen) at 160mg/teaspoon

• 20-27 pounds: 1 teaspoon* (160mg) every 4 hours as needed
• 28-37 pounds: 1.5 teaspoons* (240mg) every 4 hours as needed
• 38-40 pounds: 2 teaspoons* (320mg) every 4 hours as needed

Children's Motrin (Ibuprofen), which is commonly available at 100mg/5mL*:

• 20-25 pounds: 1 teaspoon (100mg) every 6 hours as needed
• 26-35 pounds: 1.5 teaspoons (150mg) every 6 hours as needed
• 36-46 pounds: 2 teaspoons (200mg) every 6 hours as needed

*1 teaspoon = 5ml = 5cc; do not give Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen at the exact same time.

ASPIRIN IS NOT RECOMMENDED SECONDARY TO THE RISK OF FEVER AND REYE'S SYNDROME.

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Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) liquid, with the teaspoon dose based on the 12.5mg/5mL

• 2-5 Months (11-16 pounds): 6.25 mg (1/2 teaspoon) every 6 hours as needed
• 6-11 Months (17-21 pounds): 9.4 mg (3/4 teaspoon) every 6 hours as needed
• 12-23 Months (22-27 pounds): 12.5mg (1 teaspoon) every 6 hours as needed
• 2 y.o.- just under 3 y.o (28-32 pounds): 1 1/4 teaspoon every 6 hours as needed
• 3 y.o.-4 y.o (33-41 pounds): 1 1/2 teaspoons every 6 hours as needed
• 5 y.o: (42 pounds): 2 teaspoons every 6 hours as needed. A chewable grape flavor is available.

ADULT AND SOME YOUNG ADULT MEDICATION DOSAGES

Ibuprofen (Motrin), which is commonly available in gelcaps or tablets of 200mg each, over the counter. Do not use if you are pregnant, have GERD (reflux), or liver/kidney disease. For fever or patients with chronic illnesses, please call your physician for dosing recommendations. See the side of the package for the full warning instructions.

• Teenagers from 12-17 years old: 400 mg every 6-8 hours as needed for pain or fever.
• Adults 18 years or older, 600 mg (3 of the 200 mg tablets) every 6 hours with food as needed OR 800 mg (4 of the 200 mg tablets) every 8 hours with food for pain or fever

Do not use if you are pregnant, have GERD (reflux), or liver/kidney disease. For fever or patients with chronic illnesses, please call your physician for dosing recommendations. See the side of the package for the full warning instructions.

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Ocean spray and other nasal saline solutions

• Infants, kids, and adults can use the saltwater saline solution as needed to the nose to maintain moisture.

Multivitamins

• Your storebrand, vitamin of choice. Megadoses of vitamins are excreted in your urine and stool, so try not to find a vitamin that provides greater than the RDA of 100%. Multivitamins are available for infants, breastfeeding moms, elderly adults, and anyone who needs extra vitamins and minerals in their diets. Also take some calcium each day, as men and women can get osteoporosis.

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Since many of the PPO and HMO plans are phasing out payment for prescription antihistamines, here is the over the counter version of the former prescription medication, Claritin (Loratadine). This over the counter nondrowsy antihistamine is available in the same strength as the prescription version, and it is used to treat seasonal allergies. The generic is Loratadine and is cheaper than brand name Claritin. Claritin with the D has sudafed, which can increase the blood pressure, make the heart race, and cause people to feel "shaky."

• Claritin Reditabs or regular 10 mg: Take one every 24 hours as needed. The plain Claritin does not contain Sudafed and is overall safe in most people. The generic version includes the word "Loratadine."
• Claritin D 12 hour: This medication has sudafed and the antihistamine in it. It is given as one tablet every 12 hours as needed
• Claritin D 24 hour: This medication has sudafed and the antihistamine in it. It is given as one tablet every 24 hours as needed
• Claritin Syrup is still prescription and approved to age 2 years of age.

Zyrtec is available in generic for 2008. It has a similar dosing schedule to claritin.

Prilosec 20mg is over the counter for Reflux/GERD/Gastritis/Gastric and Duodenal Ulcers. Many insurances plan to stop paying for proton pump inhibitors, such as Prilosec, Prevacid, Aciphex, Nexium, and Protonix, now that Prilosec is over the counter. The manufacturer recommends, that if you take Prilosec for 14 days or longer, you should see a physician for care and followup, as you may have GERD. A box of 28 is less then $20, which is much less than the prescription price from 2002 of $110 a month.

• Prilosec 20 mg Over the counter: adults take 1 a day for Reflux/GERD/Gastritis/Gastric and Duodenal Ulcers. If you are having acid reflux, vomiting blood, or dark stools, or red bloody stools, you need to call your physician and/or go to the nearest emergency department. Even if the Prilosec treats the GERD, preventive health maintenance for people with acid reflux, vomiting blood, or dark stools, or red bloody stools includes the potential for an EGD, Colonoscopy, and/or blood transfusion.

*This medication list is only for The Country Doctor's patients and does not establish a relationship between The Country Doctor and nonpatients. Any person outside of a regular patient at The Country Doctor, who wants to use the information on this page, should contact his or her physician for medication questions. Please read the OTC medication warnings closely on each package. The use of OTC medications is done by each patient's own choice.

 The Country Doctor, Ltd.

2310 Country Road

Shiloh, IL 62221-2570

Voice (618) 277-3197

Exchange (618) 277-3214

E-MAIL The Country Doctor

 

 Website created by Dr. David Mitchell on his home-built, Power Macintosh Computer