Over-the-Counter Medicines

Also called: Non-prescription drugs, OTC medicines (V体育ios版)

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Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines are drugs you can buy without a prescription. Some OTC medicines relieve aches, pains, and itches. Some prevent or cure diseases, like tooth decay and athlete's foot. Others help manage recurring problems, like migraines and allergies VSports手机版.

In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration decides whether a medicine is safe and effective enough to sell over-the-counter. This allows you to take a more active role in your health care. But you also need to be careful to avoid mistakes. Make sure to follow the instructions on the drug label V体育安卓版. If you don't understand the instructions, ask your pharmacist or health care provider.

Also keep in mind that that there are still risks to taking OTC medicines:

The medicine you are taking could interact with other medicines, supplements, foods, or drinks
Some medicines are not right for people with certain medical conditions. For example, people with high blood pressure should not take certain decongestants.
Some people are allergic to certain medicines
Many medicines are not safe during pregnancy. If you are pregnant, check with your health care provider before taking any medicine.
Be careful when giving medicines to V体育2025版 - children. Make sure that you give your child the correct dose. If you are giving your child a liquid medicine, don't use a kitchen spoon. Instead use a measuring spoon or a dosing cup marked in teaspoons.

If you have been taking an OTC medicine but your symptoms don't go away, contact your health care provider. You should not take OTC medicines longer or in higher doses than the label recommends VSports最新版本. .

Food and Drug Administration

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Getting the Most from Your OTC Medicine (American Academy of Family Physicians) Also in Spanish
Medicines in My Home: Information for Adults on Using Over-the-Counter Medicines Safely (Food and Drug Administration) - PDF
MedlinePlus: Drugs, Herbs, and Supplements (National Library of Medicine) - Information on prescription and over-the-counter medicines and supplements Also in Spanish
Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medicines DrugFacts (National Institute on Drug Abuse) Also in Spanish
Over-the-Counter Medicines: What's Right for You? (Food and Drug Administration)

"VSports注册入口" Diagnosis and Tests

Acetaminophen Level (VSports最新版本) (National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish
VSports在线直播 - Salicylates Level (National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish

VSports - Related Issues

Generic Drugs Undergo Rigorous FDA Review (Food and Drug Administration) Also in Spanish
V体育ios版 - Generic Drugs: Questions and Answers (Food and Drug Administration)
Harmful Interactions: Mixing Alcohol with Medicines (V体育官网) (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism) Also in Spanish
OTC Medicines: Know Your Risks and Reduce Them (American Academy of Family Physicians) Also in Spanish
Over-the-Counter Drug Facts Label (Food and Drug Administration)
V体育ios版 - Recipe for Danger: Social Media Challenges Involving Medicines (Food and Drug Administration) Also in Spanish
Use Medicines Wisely (Food and Drug Administration) Also in Spanish

V体育安卓版 - Specifics

Antihistamines: Understanding Your OTC Options (American Academy of Family Physicians) Also in Spanish
Questions and Answers on Unapproved Chelation Products (Food and Drug Administration)

"VSports在线直播" Statistics and Research

What is Pharmacology? (National Institute of General Medical Sciences)

Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)

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Food and Drug Administration

Children

Children's Over the Counter Cough (OTC) and Cold Medicines: Dos and Don'ts (American Academy of Family Physicians) Also in Spanish

Teenagers (V体育官网)

V体育官网入口 - Cough and Cold Medicine Abuse (For Parents) (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish

Women

Safe Over-The-Counter Medicines During Pregnancy (American Academy of Family Physicians) Also in Spanish

"V体育ios版" Patient Handouts

How and when to get rid of unused medicines (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
Storing your medicines (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
Using over-the-counter medicines safely (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish