Nonprescription Medicines

What are nonprescription medicines?

Nonprescription medicines, also called over-the-counter or OTC medicines, are drugs that can be bought without a prescription from a healthcare provider. In the past many OTC drugs did not have a very strong effect, but now many are quite potent. Be well informed when you take them.

When is it OK to use a nonprescription drug?

Just as your healthcare provider gives you prescription drugs only for specific problems, you should use nonprescription medicines only for certain simple health problems.

Common uses for OTC drugs are:

• cold symptoms
• occasional allergy symptoms
• minor pain
• simple rashes.

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

What can I learn about a drug from the label?

The drug label is an important source of information. It lists the following:

• Active ingredients, which are listed first in the ingredients list. These are the chemicals in the medicine that have a medical effect; that is, they are pharmaceutically active.
• 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 the following
  • when you should not use the medicine
  • when to stop taking the medicine
  • when to see a healthcare provider
  • possible side effects
• Directions, which give information on how to use the medicine and how often you can use it.
• Inactive ingredients, which are all ingredients in the medicine that do not have a medical effect. They are mixed with the active ingredients so that the medicine can be in a form that can be easily used, such as a pill or ointment.
• A toll-free number you can use to get more information about the medicine.

Can nonprescription medicines cause side effects or other problems?

All medicines can cause side effects. Nonprescription drugs might worsen a medical problem. Or they might interact with other drugs you are taking. Many nonprescription medicines contain medicine that is also included in prescription drugs. Taking 2 or more medicines that contain the same active ingredient may cause an overdose, leading to other problems. Children and older adults need to be especially careful when they take any medicines because they have a higher risk for side effects. Discuss these issues with your pharmacist before you buy a nonprescription drug.

When you are choosing a medicine, tell the pharmacist or your healthcare provider:

• all the names and doses of any other medicines you are taking, including natural remedies and supplements (keep a list with you)
• any allergies you have to foods or medicines
• whether or not you are or could be pregnant
• any chronic medical conditions you have, such as high blood pressure and diabetes.

If there is a chance you are pregnant, talk with your provider before taking any medicine.

How much of a nonprescription medicine is safe to take?

Always follow the dosage instructions listed on the package label. Never take more than the recommended dosage. Doing so may lead to side effects or a serious health problem.

If you are treating a small child, discuss the use and dose of the product with your child's healthcare provider.

It is important to remember that not every problem needs to be treated with medicine. For many mild conditions (such as colds), rest and fluids help just as much as most drugs. Take medicine only when it is needed.

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Published by RelayHealth.
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