• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Toxicology Conference
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• 2004.11a
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• pp.32-34
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• 2004

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.41-45
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• 2007

Objective : The present study investigates patterns of consumption of alcohol, cigarettes, and over the counter drugs (OTC) in Korean patients with PTSD and psychiatric patient controls and healthy controls from multicenter hospital samples. Method : Data were collected from 18 hospitals nationwide. Patients with PTSD were compared with nonpsychotic psychiatric disorders control and healthy control subjects on psychometric measures of consumption of alcohol, cigarettes, and OTC drugs. Result : Ninety-three patients with PTSD, 73 patients with psychiatric disorders control, and 88 healthy control subjects were enrolled. There were significant differences in the frequency of alcohol drinking among the three groups ($X^2$=12.93, df=6, p=0.044). Only 3.2% of healthy control subjects drank alcohol more than 4 times a week, but 43.9% of PTSD group and 46.5% of mental disorder controls drank alcohol more than 4 times a week, respectively. Regarding cigarette smoking, there were no differences among the three groups. There were significant differences in uses of OTC drugs among the three groups; 16.7 % in the PTSD group, 14.9% in the psychiatric control group and 1.3% in the heath control group, respectively ($X^2$=11.31, df=2, p=0.004). Conclusion : In this study, patients with PTSD showed significant differences in the frequency of consumption of alcohol and OTC drugs, as compared with healthy controls. However, there were no differences between the PTSD and psychiatric patient control groups. Since all subjects were enrolled from hospital based sample, results may differ in the community samples. Further studies will be needed for the evaluation of substance uses in these groups.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.217-222
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• 2010

Resveratrol is a natural polyphenolic compound frequently found in grapes. The biological actions of resveratrol have been extensively investigated both in vitro and in vivo. The interactions of resveratrol with commonly-consumed drugs, however, have rarely been studied. In this study, the cytotoxic properties of resveratrol on the hepatic and intestinal cells in the presence of over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, including acetaminophen (AAP), aspirin (Asp), and ibuprofen (Ibu), were evaluated. The cytotoxic effects of resveratrol on hepatic HepG2 and colonic HCT 116 cells were not markdely changed in the presence of AAP, Asp, or Ibu. Conversely, the cytotoxicity of OTC drugs was not affected by resveratrol either. Concentrations of resveratrol below 10 mM significantly increased HepG2 cell growth after 48 or 72 hr incubation; however, the growth-stimulating effect was not observed in the presence of AAP. When HCT 116 cells were treated with OTC drugs before or after resveratrol, the cytotoxic effects were not significantly altered. The present study provides basic information for the potential health effects of the interactions between resveratrol and commonly-consumed OTC drugs.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.138-144
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• 2011

In order to minimize such adverse drug reactions, governments and international organs have been on the watch for them. Also in South Korea, a system has been established in order that adverse drug reactions may be reported to Korea Food and Drug Administration(KFDA). This study is to analyze drugs to cause adverse reactions, the adverse reactions and patients concerned on the authority of the data of Korea FDA, which is expected to be the preliminary data on preventable adverse reactions. This study was conducted on the 74,037 cases of adverse drug reactions reported to Korea FDA between January 2007 and June 2010. Fentanyl, iopromide and tramadol caused adverse reactions with high frequencies. Oseltamivir showed a high frequency between 2009 and 2010 due to the influence of the new influenza A. Also, OTC drugs accounted for approximately 5% of the adverse reactions. In 2009, adverse drug reactions remarkably increased (2,106 cases; 10.1%) in infants and children due to the new influenza-A(H1N1). The patients aged between 31 and 64 accounted for approximately 55% during the given period. There was no significant intergender difference. In relation to regions, the adverse reactions most frequently occurred in the gastrointestinal system and the integumentary system for three and half years. In addition to anticancer drugs and immunosuppressive drugs that are known to cause adverse reactions frequently, not a few of OTC drugs and external preparations caused such reactions. In particular, the drugs containing specific ingredients caused adverse reactions more frequently than others from 2007 until the first half of 2010. It is advisable for prescribers to acquaint themselves with such adverse reactions and to prescribe drugs other than them. They also have need to sensibly cope with adverse drug reactions just in case they have no substitute drugs. In addition, patients also need to be trained to understand possible adverse reactions in order that they can sensibly accommodate them or choose healthcare services. The results of this study are expected to be helpful to minimize adverse drug reactions.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.141-151
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• 2002

In order to know the depletive changes of sulfadimethoxine and oxytetracycline residues in se겨m of dairy cattle intramusculally administered with sulfadimethoxine sodium(SDS) and oxytetracycline(OTC), the concentration of sulfadimethoxine and oxyteracycline was measured in serum of dairy cattle with using high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC). SDS and OTC was intramuscularlly administrated to dairy cattle at the rate of 10mg/kg(SDS) and 10mg/kg(OTC) body weight(recommended therapeutic dose) once to four dairy cattle. There were investigated the depletive changes of the sulfadimethoxine and oxytetracycline in serum of dairy cattle at the time 2, 4, 8 hours, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th day after administration SMS and OTC, respectively. The results obtained were summarized as follows; 1. After intramuscularlly administration of the SMS, the mean concentrations of sulfamethazine in serum according to the time lapsed were showed 33.964 $\pm$ 4.435ppm at the 4 hours after withdrawal of medicated sulfadimethoxine sodium. And gradually according to the time lapsed, the concentrations of sulfadimethoxine residues in serum were significantly (p<.05) decreased 6.596 $\pm$ 3.402 ppm at 1st day, 0.217 $\pm$ 0.119 ppm at 3rd day and 0.057 $\pm$ 0.032 ppm at 4th day, respectively. 2. The mean residual concentration of OTC in serum according to the time lapsed after intramuscularly administration OTC were showed 0.743 $\pm$ 0.368ppm at the 8 hours. And gradually according to the time lapsed, the mean concentrations of OTC residues in serum of dairy cattle were significantly(p<.05) decreased such as 0.057 $\pm$ 0.047ppm at 3rd day and 0.039 $\pm$ 0.016ppm at the 5th day, respectively. In conclusion, this study could be suggested the relationship between administrated period, sulfonamides and tetracycline residual aspects in serum, and the importance of observing ceasing period of antibiotic drugs before forwarding livestocks to slaughter, Thus, this results would be able to be used the basic index for prevention of sulfonamides and tetracycline residues in dairy breedings.

• The Korean Society of Law and Medicine
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.265-291
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• 2011

Changes in a drug's availability from prescription only to over-the-counter (OTC) status is of concern to physicians from both public health and individual patient perspectives. Government has generally been supportive of changes in medications from prescription(Rx) to over-the-counter (OTC) status in Korea, however, recognizing that there are both benefits and risks to any health care intervention, health care professionals are conservative in implementing changes to either the process or structure of health care. Changes in status of a drug from Rx to OTC can represent a change in both structure and process. Cost and convenience seem to be major factors in determining whether, given the choice, patients purchase a medicine over the counter or obtain it on prescription. With current arrangements, exemption from prescription charges provides an incentive to continue to obtain products on NHS prescription even when they are available over the counter. There is therefore no simple relation between the availability of over the counter medicines and the level of prescribing of deregulated products. The appropriate use of over the counter medicines-particularly those that have only recently been deregulated-places a burden of care on community pharmacists and calls for closer working relationships with general practitioners. In particular, systems for referral and for recording details of both prescribed and over the counter medicines need to be developed, and a direct route needs to be established for community pharmacists to report adverse drug reactions to over the counter products. Reclassification of prescription medicines-by making them available through pharmacies without a prescription-provides the opportunity for consumers to purchase a wider range of medicinal products without making a demand on NHS resources. There is, however, no simple relation between availability of over the counter medicines and demand for NHS prescriptions. In the late 1980s the UK government fuelled the over the counter market by making it easier to reclassify certain medicines from prescription only status to allow over the counter sale in pharmacies. To explore the influence of deregulation of medicines on NHS prescribing, this article presents analyses of consumer behaviour in using medicines and prescribers' attitudes to over the counter medication and collates findings from research. Policy makers should be aware that patients' expectations in relation to OTC medicines may be in conflict with evidence-based practice.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.123-130
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• 2006

The study was aimed to recommend the ways for improving regulatory system of quasi-drugs in governmental authority by comparing with other countries. According to the regulations, the scope of quasi-drugs includes 3 categories of 1) the health aids made of textile, rubber and paper, 2) the health aids which have very minimal effects or no any effects on humans, and 3) disinfectants and pesticides. In US, these quasi-drugs in Korea are classified into 5 categories of medical device, cosmetics, OTC drugs, dietary supplements and pesticides. To improve quasi-drugs administration in Korea, it is concluded that several measures should be implemented : 1) establish clear criteria for classifying into quasi-drugs and more detailed guidelines on designation of quasi-drugs, 2) reform current regulations to meet 3-categories characteristics, supplement detailed guidelines on quasi-drugs administration for effective application process, and update relevant regulations for efficacy, safety and quality, 3) update quasi-drug monographs, 4) re-evaluate current classification of individual quasi-drugs, 5) develop comprehensive list by ingredients, 6) reform post-marketing management system for safety and quality, 7) strengthen the review agency function by increasing the number of experts, 8) develop the database for quasi-drugs for effective information management.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.19-22
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• 2013

Dextromethorphan and chlorpeniramine are common ingredients of over-the-counter (OTC) cough pills. They are known to be safe when used alone, however, combination with other serotonergic drugs or use of an overdose can cause serotonergic toxicity. We report on a 43-year-old male and a 57-year-old female who ingested an overdose of antitussive drugs containing dextromethorphan and chlorpeniramine. They commonly presented with altered mentality and hyperreflexia on both upper and lower extremities. After conservative therapies, they were discharged with alert mentality. These cases are meaningful in that there are few cases of serotonin syndrome with an overdose of a combination of dextromethorphan and chlorpeniramine. Careful use with medication counseling for OTC cough pills is needed in order to prevent overdose of these ingredients.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.579-596
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• 2012

The purpose of the study is to examine the use of medication among adults by comparing the pattern of outpatient prescription drug use with the pattern of long term taking lifestyle drug use. Furthermore, the study investigates factors associated with the use of medication, particularity focusing on socioeconomic factors. Korea Health Panel data of 2008 was used to conduct the study analysis. By performing four different logistic regression models, the study noticed different patterns of the medication use between prescription drugs and lifestyle drugs. More specifically, the study showed that adults with lower education level tend to more frequently receive prescriptions while adults with higher education as well as income level tend to more use lifestyle drugs than their counterparts. Furthermore, other control factors such as age and gender were statistically significant for the use of both prescription and lifestyle drugs in different patterns. The study findings expect that reimbursement structure of drugs may be significantly associated with the different patterns and accordingly the accessability of medicine in particularly vulnerable population. Therefore, these policy factors should be considered in future study to more comprehensively understand about the diverse patterns in the medication use.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.58 no.2
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• pp.107-111
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• 2014

Unused medication disposal is a problem due to the cost of disposing as well as potential risk of inadvertent dosing. Investigating medication returns is expected to suggest areas for targeting interventions to reduce medication waste. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine types of medications and identify the expiration date of the medications returned to the community pharmacies through "Drug-Take Back" program. Method: From October 10, 2012 to November 14, 2012, the medications returned to the 58 community pharmacies in Korea were examined. Results: A total of 22,160 g of pill medications were collected; 52.8% for prescription drugs and 47.2% for non-prescription drugs, respectively. The weight of the expired pill medications was more than 5 times that of the non-expired pill medications. On the other hand, 6,168 ml of liquid medications were returned; 80.0% for prescription medication and 20.0% for non-prescription medications, respectively. Of the total oral liquid medications, the volume of the expired medications was more than 5 times that of the non-expired medications. Conclusion: The majority of medications returned to the community pharmacies were prescription drugs rather than non-prescription drugs. In addition, most of the drugs were expired when they returned.