Getting the Most from Your Medicine
What’s the difference between generic and brand name OTC medicines?
How do I choose which OTC medicine to take?
What can I do to make taking OTC products safer?
Should I avoid certain activities, foods or drinks while taking OTC drugs?
What if I don’t feel better even though I’m taking an OTC medicine?
Who can help me understand OTC products?
See Also:
OTC Drugs: Getting the Most from Your Medicine
This information was developed as part of an educational program made possible by an unrestricted educational grant from McNeil Consumer & Specialty Pharmaceuticals.
What does OTC mean?
OTC is short for “over-the-counter.” OTC drugs are medicines you can buy without a doctor’s prescription. Chances are, you’ve used OTC products many times to relieve pain, constipation or nausea, or to treat symptoms of a cold or the flu.
Are OTC products safe to use?
In most cases, OTC products are safe for healthy adults to use, as long as they follow the directions on the package. However, certain groups of people should talk to their doctor before taking an OTC product.
- If you have health problems, talk to your doctor before taking any OTC products. You may be at a higher risk of having problems when taking them.
- If you take any prescription medicines, get your doctor’s OK before you take an OTC medicine. Combining prescription medicines and OTC medicines can lead to problems (called drug interactions). For example, OTC drugs may make prescription drugs less effective. See “OTC Drugs: Reducing Your Risk of Adverse Effects” for more information.
- Women who are trying to get pregnant, are pregnant or are breastfeeding, children, and older adults should also talk to their doctor before taking OTC products. For more information about these special groups, see “OTC Drugs: Special Groups at Risk of Adverse Effects.”
What’s the difference between generic and brand name OTC medicines?
Just like foods, some medicines come in a generic form and as a brand name product. Generic drugs may be cheaper. Compare the lists of ingredients. If the generic product has the same ingredients as the brand name product, you may want to think about using it. But be careful: The generic drug may contain different amounts of certain medicines. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about which product to choose.
How do I choose which OTC medicine to take?
Before you take an OTC medicine, read and thoroughly understand the information on the drug label.
Although you may feel overwhelmed, take time to look at all the choices. Look for a product that will treat only the symptoms you have. For example, if you only have a runny nose, don’t choose a product that also treats coughs and headaches.
See the OTC Product Knowledge Checklist below for some tips about things you should understand about a medicine before you take it.
Although you may feel overwhelmed, take time to look at all the choices. Look for a product that will treat only the symptoms you have. For example, if you only have a runny nose, don’t choose a product that also treats coughs and headaches.
See the OTC Product Knowledge Checklist below for some tips about things you should understand about a medicine before you take it.
OTC Product Knowledge Checklist
- Name (generic name and brand name)
- All the ingredients in the product
- What symptoms the active ingredients treat
- The dose (amount) of the medicine to take
- The number of times a day the medicine should be taken and at what times of the day
- If the medicine should be taken with food
- How long the medicine should be taken
- If the product causes problems for people with certain health problems (such as asthma or high blood pressure)
- If the medicine will react to any other medicines, foods or drinks
- If you should avoid any activities while taking the medicine
- The most common and important side effects and what to do if you have them
- The expiration date (date after which you shouldn’t use the medicine)
- Any other special instructions
If you don’t understand something about a medicine you’re planning to take, ask your doctor or pharmacist. If you still don’t understand, ask him or her to explain things more clearly.
What can I do to make taking OTC products safer?
Be sure you understand the information on the drug label. If you don’t, ask questions! Take the product according to the label’s instructions unless your doctor has advised you to do it differently.
The following are a few more tips on how you can make taking an OTC medicine safer:
The following are a few more tips on how you can make taking an OTC medicine safer:
- Be sure you only take the recommended dose. Sometimes people think, “If a little medicine is good, a lot is better (or will work faster).” This is wrong. Taking too much medicine can be harmful.
- Use OTC drugs only on a short-term basis. Don’t continue taking them for long periods of time unless your doctor tells you to.
- Don’t crush, break or chew pills unless the drug label says to do this or your doctor tells you to. Some medicines won’t work right unless they’re swallowed whole.
- Avoid taking 2 products with the same active ingredient. (An active ingredient is a substance in the medicine that works to relieve your symptoms.) This is an easy mistake to make, but it can mean that you take much more of an ingredient than you intend. Taking too much of an ingredient can lead to serious problems. Both OTC and prescription drugs can contain the same active ingredients. See “OTC Drugs: Reducing Your Risk of Adverse Effects” for more information.
- Before you take more than 1 medicine—OTC or prescription—talk to your doctor. Ask how the medicines will work together in your body. Sometimes drugs cause problems when they are taken together.
- Make sure that each of your doctors (if you see more than one) has a list of all of the medicines you take—both prescription and OTC. Include any herbal products, vitamins or other supplements on this list.
Should I avoid certain activities, foods or drinks while taking OTC drugs?
Even though you don’t need a prescription to buy OTC drugs, they can cause unwanted and sometimes dangerous side effects. Some foods or drinks can cause reactions or side effects when combined with certain drugs. Also, some activities should be avoided while taking some kinds of medication. Read the label to see what to avoid while you’re taking an OTC product. See “OTC Drugs: Reducing Your Risk of Adverse Effects” for more information.
What if I don’t feel better even though I’m taking an OTC medicine?
Any medicine needs time to work. However, if you’re taking an OTC medicine and it doesn’t seem to be helping, call your doctor. Your sickness can get worse if you wait too long to see your doctor.
Who can help me understand OTC products?
Your family doctor can explain anything to you that you don’t understand. Your pharmacist can also help you with any questions you have about OTC drugs.
More Information
Source
Written by familydoctor.org editorial staff.
American Academy of Family Physicians
Reviewed/Updated: 12/06
Created: 09/05
Copyright © 2005-2008 American Academy of Family Physicians
|This article provides a general overview on this topic and may not apply to everyone. To find out if this article applies to you and to get more information on this subject, talk to your family doctor.
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|This article provides a general overview on this topic and may not apply to everyone. To find out if this article applies to you and to get more information on this subject, talk to your family doctor.
For private, noncommercial use only.
Home | Privacy Policy | Contact Us | About This Site | What's New |