What is over-the-counter medication?
Over-the-counter (OTC) medications are medicines you can buy at a drugstore without a doctor's prescription.
Why should I use OTC medications?
Over-the-counter medication allows you to treat many common minor illnesses without having to get a prescription from a doctor.
Steps:
- Check the chart below to find the symptoms you want to treat.
In the USA, many medications are known only by their brand names. Often, however, medications of different brand names contain identical ingredients. The only difference between a brand-name medication and a generic medicine (a medicine without a brand name) with identical ingredients is the price.
- Find a drugstore.
In most neighborhoods, you can find a drugstore at the nearest corner. For a listing of drugstores in your area, check the "yellow pages" section of the telephone directory under "Drugs" or "Pharmacy." While pharmacies primarily dispense prescription medication, they also carry over-the-counter drugs.
- Find the medicine section of the drug store.
Generally, drugs treating the same condition will be next to each other on the shelves, and sometimes the store will put up signs to help customers find medicine for their symptoms. Generic drugs are usually cheaper than brand names and should have the same effects.
- Read the medication label.
Check whether this drug is for adults or children and make sure it does not interfere with any medication you already take. If in doubt, ask the pharmacist for advice. Drugstore employees stocking shelves or staffing cash registers generally do not have a background in pharmacy.
- Check the packaging on the medication you intend to buy.
Make sure the package is not torn or otherwise damaged. Look at the expiration date on the package and make sure it has not passed.
- Take the medication to the cashier to pay.
Prescription insurance does not pay for over-the-counter drugs, so you will have to pay the full price of the medicine. You should, however, keep the receipt. You may be able to deduct the cost of the medication from your taxes at year-end.
- Check the dosage instructions on the medication label or the paper inside the packaging before taking the medication.
Make sure you know whether the medication should be taken with food. If the label says the medicine may make you drowsy, try taking it in the evening after work or school.
- Keep all medication out of children's reach.
Many cold medications are made to taste good so children (and adults) will take them when they need to, and the coating on some pills is similar to candy. But the sweet taste often makes us forget that the medication is powerful and can be harmful in large doses. In the event of an overdose, call your local poison control center immediately or visit the emergency room. The front page of your telephone directory has a list of emergency numbers, which includes poison control. If you cannot find that number, dial "0" for the operator and ask for poison control.
- Call your doctor if your condition doesn't improve within five to seven days, or if you experience severe side effects.
You may need a different medication — perhaps one that is only available by prescription.
| Common
Over-the-counter Medications |
| Condition |
Generic
Ingredients or Name |
Common
Brand Names |
| Pain |
acetaminophen,
ibuprofen |
Tylenol,
Advil |
| Fever |
Aspirin |
Aspirin |
| Cough |
decongestant,
expectorant, antitussive |
Vick's,
Robitussin |
| Hay
Fever |
antihistamine
such as diphenhydramine |
Benadryl |
| Diarrhea |
bismuth
subsalicylate, kaolin |
Immodium-AD,
Maalox, Pepto Bismol |
| Laxatives |
oat
bran, mineral oil, magnesium |
Citrucel,
Fiberall, Ex-Lax, Phillips Milk of Magnesia |
| Indigestion |
antacids
(calcium carbonate) |
Alka
Seltzer, Mylanta, Rolaids |
| Acne |
benzoyl
peroxide, salicylic acid |
Clearsil,
Benoxyl, Oxy |
Burns/sunburns/
diaper rash |
cocoa
butter, bacitracin, neomycin, polymyxin |
A&D
Ointment, Aveeno, Neosporin Plus, Caladryl, Solarcaine |
| Eczema |
hydrocortisone,
astringents |
Cortaid,
Cortizone |
| Skin
infections |
bacitracin,
tetracycline, providone |
Betadine,
Neosporin, Desenex, Lotrimin |
| Insect
bites |
camphor,
benzocaine |
After-Bite,
Aveeno Anti-Itch |
| Skin
itches/rashes |
calamine
lotion, zinc oxide |
Benadryl,
Gold Bond Medicated Powder |
|
|
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