America is very much of a pill oriented society with the use of over-the-counter medication on the rise.

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School officials said the court was "wholly uninformed about a disturbing new trend" -- the abuse of over-the-counter medication by teenagers.

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Despite the hopes of Mr. Pewen in the Senate, some consumers think they will be better off getting a prescription-only drug in place of an over-the-counter medication.

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He told the group that he takes over-the-counter Prilosec, a heartburn medication, which meant he didn't need a more expensive prescription drug.

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He had noted Mr Nichol's "obvious over-sedated appearance", after he was prescribed diazepam and methadone, withholding overnight doses of medication.

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Less certain, however, are aspirin's short-term effects, as well as how the balance of risks and benefits of taking the medication changes over time.

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