Using over-the-counter medicines safely
OTC - using safely
Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines are those you can buy without a prescription. They treat a variety of minor health conditions. Most OTC medicines are not as strong as what you can get with a prescription. But that does not mean they are without risk. In fact, not using the OTC medicines safely can lead to serious health problems.
Here is what you need to know about OTC medicines.
They call it the common cold for a reason. Colds are extraordinarily common. Children average 3 to 8 colds a year and adults almost that many. I'm doctor Alan Greene and I want to give you a couple of tips about navigating the cold and flu aisle at the drug store. Many of the offerings that are there will offer relief in several different ways. They may have a decongestant in there to try to reduce nasal congestion. An antihistamine that may help a bit with sleep or may also help with some congestion. They may have a cough suppressant in there to make you cough less. An expectorant to make your cough more productive, so you can cough things out easier and may have something to bring down a temperature or relieve aches and pains, like acetaminophen, or ibuprofen. But if you pick-up more than one of these, it's pretty common for people to double-up on a specific ingredient. So, if you're using more than one, look at the ingredient list. You don't want to see the same thing on both. For instance, if you have the decongestant pseudoephedrine on two different lists, the double-dose is not good for you and doesn't add any extra help. But beyond that, you don't even want to find the same action in two different multisymptom things. So if you have been taking a decongestant, you don't want a decongestant in the other one, whatever kind of decongestant it is. And as a reminder for kids under 6, decongestants, antihistamines, and cough suppressants have not been shown to help them any better than placebo and do have some side-effects. So, I don't recommend them at all for kids under 6.
About OTC Medicines
You can buy OTC medicines without a prescription in:
- Drug stores
- Grocery stores
- Discount and department stores
- Convenience stores
- Some gas stations
When used properly, OTC medicines can help protect your health by:
- Relieving symptoms such as pain, coughing, or diarrhea
- Preventing or treating problems like heartburn or motion sickness
- Treating conditions such as athlete's foot, allergies, or headaches
- Providing first aid
When Should you use OTC Medicines
It is fine to use OTC medicines for most minor health problems or illnesses. If you are not sure, ask your health care provider or your pharmacist. Your provider can tell you:
- Whether an OTC medicine is right for your condition
- How the medicine might interact with other medicines you take
- What side effects or problems to watch for
Your pharmacist can answer questions such as:
- What the medicine will do
- How it should be stored
- Whether another medicine might work as well or better
What the Label can Tell you
You can also get information about OTC medicines on the medicine label.
Most OTC medicines have the same kind of label, and soon all of them will. That means whether you buy a box of cough drops or a bottle of aspirin you will always know where to find information you need.
Here is what the label will show you:
- Active Ingredient. This tells you the name of the medicine you are taking and how much is in each dose.
- Uses. The conditions and symptoms the medicine can treat are listed here. Unless your provider tells you otherwise, do not use the medicine for any condition not listed.
- Warnings. Pay close attention to this section. It tells you if you should talk with your provider before taking the medicine. For instance, you should not take certain antihistamines if you have a breathing problem like emphysema. The warnings also tell you about side effects and interactions. You should not take some medicines when using alcohol or taking other medicines. The label will also tell you what to do in case of an overdose.
- Directions. The label tells you how much medicine to take at one time, how often to take it, and how much is safe to take. This information is broken down by age group. Read the directions fully, because the dosage may be different for people of different ages.
- Other Information. This includes such things as how to store the medicine.
- Inactive Ingredients. Inactive means the ingredients should not have an effect on your body. Read them anyway so you know what you are taking.
The label will also tell you the medicine's expiration date. You should dispose of it and not take it once that date has passed.
Other Ways to use OTC Medicines Safely
You should:
- Examine the package before you buy it. Make sure it has not been tampered with.
- Never use medicine you have bought that does not look the way you think it should or that is in a package that appears suspicious. Return it to the place from which you bought it.
- Never take medicine in the dark or without glasses if you are unable to see clearly. Always be sure you are taking the right medicine from the right container.
- Always tell your provider what medicines you take. This includes prescription and OTC medicines as well as herbals and supplements. Some prescription medicines will interact with OTC medicines. And some contain the same ingredients as OTC medicines, which means you could end up taking more than you should.
Also be sure to take steps to keep kids safe. You can prevent accidents by keeping medicine locked up, out of reach, and out of sight of children.
References
US Food & Drug Administration website. The over-the-counter drug facts label.
US Department of Health and Human Services website. Healthy living: use medicines safely: the basics.
US Department of Health and Human Services website. Healthy living: use medicines safely: take action.
Version Info
Last reviewed on: 7/23/2024
Reviewed by: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Professor, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
