NONPRESCRIPTION MEDICINES

What are nonprescription medicines?

Nonprescription medicines, also called over-the-counter or OTC medicines, are drugs than can be bought without a prescription from your healthcare provider. While in the past many OTC drugs were not very strong, now many are highly potent drugs.

Which nonprescription drugs should I use?

Choose nonprescription drugs wisely. The best way to make sure that an OTC drug is right for you is to talk to your healthcare provider or a pharmacist. The choice of products can be confusing. For instance, hundreds of products are available for colds, flu, allergies, and sinus symptoms and they all contain similar ingredients. Your provider or pharmacist can help determine what drug is best for you.

What can I learn about a drug from the label?

There is important information on the nonprescription drug label. It includes the following:

Active ingredients, which will be listed first. These are the chemicals in the medicine that make it work.
Symptoms or conditions the medicine is meant to treat. These uses must be approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Warnings, which tell you when you should not use the medicine, when to stop taking the medicine, when to see a doctor, and possible side effects
Directions, which provide information on how often and when to take the medicine
Inactive ingredients, which are the chemicals in the medicine that are not meant to treat the symptoms. They are typically used to mix with the active ingredients so that the medicine may be taken.
A toll-free number for you to ask questions or provide feedback about the medicine.

Can nonprescription medicines cause side effects or other problems?

Some of these medicines can cause side effects. They might worsen a medical condition or cause a drug interaction. Children and older adults are at increased risk for side effects. Discuss these issues with your pharmacist before you buy an OTC product. Also, if there is a chance you are pregnant, talk with your healthcare provider before taking any nonprescription medicine.

Many nonprescription medicines contain medicine that is also included in prescription drugs. Taking both may cause an overdose, leading to other problems. Ask your pharmacist before taking OTC drugs if you also take prescription medicines.

Always follow the dosage instructions listed on the package label. If you are treating a small child, discuss the use of the product with your child's healthcare provider.

Not every condition needs to be treated with medicine. For many mild conditions, such as colds, rest and fluids are just as effective as most nonprescription drugs. Take medicine only when it is needed.

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

HIA File MED4270F.HTM Release 9.0/2006