Rationale of Taking Over the Counter Medications, Herbals, and Nutrition – Solved Essay
A 2,277-word essay, formatted in APA 7 (about 9 double-spaced pages).
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EssayAPA 7
Rationale of Taking Over the Counter Medications, Herbals, and Nutrition – Solved Essay
Write a 1200-1500 word APA formatted essay with three sources of support, addressing all of the following topics:
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Compile a list of at least 10 herbal medications you have seen patients taking in your practice. Discuss the rationale for taking each medication, possible benefits and consequences of taking it, and drugs that it may interact with. This question can be completed as a grid or an essay.
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Compile a list of at least 10 vitamins and minerals, including the rationale for taking each medication and benefits and consequences of taking it. Also list any potential complications and drug interactions. This question can be completed as a grid or an essay….
Solution
Rationale of Taking Over- the –Counter Medications, Herbals, and Nutrition
Introduction Self-medication is currently acknowledged as an essential component of self-care. Most people use, amongst other things over the counter (OTC) drugs, herbs, and nutritional supplements such as seeking complementary alternative medicine (CAM). Defined as medication that is sold directly to the consumer without a physician’s prescription, OTCs are encouraged by some governments but only for minor illnesses (Adams, Holland & Urban, 2014). The sale of OTC contrasts with prescription medicine for which a valid healthcare practitioner’s prescription note is required for the pharmacist to sell the drug demanded by the client. The trend of using OTC is widespread in the US, and while the threat of self-medication is not significant, it raises the chances of illicit drug use. Furthermore, critics point out that the unregulated uses of OTCs suppress the underlying signs and symptoms, thus increasing the incidence of complications as a result of delayed diagnosis, resistance to drugs, and treatment failure. However, while this may be the case, proponents of their use, just like herbal medication use, nutritional supplements use, and complementary alternative medicine has benefits and consequences as well (Baars et al., 2019). Consequently, this essay examines a list of herbal medications as well as vitamins and minerals, often taken by patients. The paper outlines the rationale of taking each medication, the potential benefits and consequences of using them in addition to the drugs they might interact with. The paper also examines acupuncture as a type of complementary alternative medicine (CAM) and the use of nutritional supplements for children with sickle cell disease.(Rationale of Taking Over the Counter Medications) As you continue, premiumacademicaffiates.com has the top and most qualified writers to help with any of your assignments. All you need to do is place an order with us. (Rationale of Taking Over the Counter Medications)
List of 10 Herbal Medications, The Patient’s Rationale of Taking Each Benefit and Consequences (Sparnakis et al., 2019)
| Herbal medication | The rationale for its use | Benefits | Consequences | Drugs interaction(Rationale of Taking Over the Counter Medications) | |
| 1 | Black cohosh | Contains triterpene glycosides | Relief gynecological problems | Increase the risk of breast cancer. | Inhibit CYP3A4 based drugs. |
| 2 | Gynura | Purported to improve microcirculation by Chinese. | Relieve pain | hepatic toxicity, weight gain(Rationale of Taking Over the Counter Medications) | Inhibit angiotensin-converting enzyme. |
| 3 | Aconite | Stimulates then paralyzes pain nerves. | Relieve pain caused by migraine, rheumatism | Can result in arterial or ventricular fibrillation | Interfere with heart disease medication |
| 4 | Tetradine | Has vasodilative effect | Treats hypertension and angina | It lowers plasma glucose. | It is contraindicated in liver and kidney problems drugs. |
| 5 | Echinacea | Stimulates immune system | Prevents infections | Nausea, dizziness, dyspnea, etc. | Potentiate the hepatotoxic effects of other medications like statins |
| 6 | Hawthorn | Has positive inotropic and vasodilatory effects, | Hawthorn has been reported to control CHF as an adjunct treatment(Rationale of Taking Over the Counter Medications) | Concomitant use can increase the risk of thromboxane biosynthesis. | It is contraindicated in CHF medications. |
| 7 | Ginkgo | Used to treat cardiovascular disease, impotence, and inner ear insufficiency | Believed to alleviate cognitive abilities in dementia with no scientific evidence.(Rationale of Taking Over the Counter Medications) | Concurrent use of ginkgo with antiplatelet and anticoagulants increases the risk of bleeding. | Decreases the effectiveness of nicardipine. |
| 8 | Grapefruit | Dietary intervention to lose weight.(Rationale of Taking Over the Counter Medications) | It can improve cardiovascular health. | Can result in hypotension(Rationale of Taking Over the Counter Medications) | In post-menopausal women, grapefruit may increase the risk of breast cancer. |
| 9 | Garlic | Has an antimicrobial and immune –improving property.(Rationale of Taking Over the Counter Medications) | Lowers cholesterol and other anti atherosclerotic | Increase the risk of bleeding for patients using anticoagulants. | Should be discontinued in patients taking warfarin or aspirin.(Rationale of Taking Over the Counter Medications) |
| 10 | Ginseng | Immune system stimulant enhancing vigor, longevity, and sexual potency. | Has been used to treat diabetes | Ginseng abuse can cause diarrhea, behavioral changes, and hypertension. | Interferes with digoxin assay |
| Vitamin or mineral | Rationale for use | Benefits | Consequences | Drug interactions | |
| 1 | Water-soluble vitamins Vitamin B1 or thiamine | Needed for energy metabolism | Improves nerve function | No sufficient evidence to show the impact of high doses, i.e., above 1mg in men or o.8 mg in women. | No known drug interaction |
| 2 | Vitamin B2 or Riboflavin | Part of an enzyme needed for metabolism | Improves normal vision and skin health | The required daily requirement in men 1.3 mg and 1.1 in women | No sufficient evidence to show drug interaction |
| 3 | Vitamin B3 or Niacin | Part of an enzyme needed for metabolism | Needed for the nervous system, skin health, and digestive system | Above daily doses of 16.5 mg in men and 13.2 mg in the woman can lead to skin flushes and liver damage.(Rationale of Taking Over the Counter Medications) | No sufficient evidence.(Rationale of Taking Over the Counter Medications) |
| 4 | Vitamin B6 or Pyridoxine | Part of an enzyme | Needed to make DNA and new cells like red blood cells | Exceeding 200mg of Vitamin B6 can cause peripheral neuropathy. | No sufficient evidence to show its effect |
| 5 | Vitamin B12(or Cobalamin | Part of an enzyme | Needed to make new cells | If not enough the individual can have vitamin B12 deficiency anemia | No sufficient evidence |
| 6 | Vitamin C( ascorbic acid) | Part of an enzyme | Antioxidant needed for protein metabolism | Large amounts like 1000mg per day can cause stomach pain, diarrhea, and flatulence(Rationale of Taking Over the Counter Medications) | No sufficient evidence. |
| 7 | Fat-Soluble Vitamins Vitamin A | The successor of beta carotene | Needed for vision, healthy skin, and bone and teeth formation. | Taking too much or above 1.5 mg per day can lead to weak bones. | Contraindicated in pregnancy |
| 8 | Vitamin D | Required for proper calcium absorption | Instrumental in strong bones | Taking more than ten micrograms a day can cause hypercalcemia | May inhibit kidney and heart medications if in excess in the body. |
| 9 | A major mineral sodium | Required for proper fluid balance | Improves nerve transmission and muscle contraction | Exceeding the standard 2.4 g of sodium can cause high blood pressure, strokes and heart attacks | Contraindicated for those taking blood thinners. |
| 10 | A trace or minor mineral iron | Part of a molecule hemoglobin | Improve oxygen transportation and immune | Doses of iron above 20 mg a day can cause constipation, vomiting and stomach pain(Rationale of Taking Over the Counter Medications) | No sufficient evidence |

Question – Rationale of Taking Over the Counter Medications
Write a 1200-1500 word APA formatted essay with three sources of support, addressing all of the following topics:- Compile a list of at least 10 herbal medications you have seen patients taking in your practice. Discuss the rationale for taking each medication, possible benefits and consequences of taking it, and drugs that it may interact with. This question can be completed as a grid or an essay.
- Compile a list of at least 10 vitamins and minerals, including the rationale for taking each medication and benefits and consequences of taking it. Also list any potential complications and drug interactions. This question can be completed as a grid or an essay.(Rationale of Taking Over the Counter Medications)
- Choose one type of complementary or alternative (CAM) therapy and discuss its benefits in preventing and treating disease. Discuss how the use of this CAM therapy can reduce the need for medications. Research this therapy on ProQuest or another scholarly database. What does the research demonstrate regarding its efficacy?
- Choose one nutritional supplement you see commonly prescribed or recommended by medical professionals in your practice. Discuss the reasons why this supplement is recommended and its method of action. What concerns should you have regarding a patient taking this supplement? Could the patient overdose and if so what are the consequences and treatment?(Rationale of Taking Over the Counter Medications)
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