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[This booklet is also available as an
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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Food and Drug Administration
Information for adults on using over-the-counter medicines safely
| What is over-the-counter medicine? |
A medicine (drug) changes the way your body works or treats or prevents a disease.
An over-the-counter (OTC) medicine is the kind you buy without a doctor's order (prescription). Before you use any medicine, you should always read the label.
The Drug Facts label
In the United States, all OTC medicines have a Drug Facts label. The Drug Facts label is there to help you choose the right OTC medicine for you and your problem and to use it safely. All medicines, even OTC medicines, can cause side effects (unwanted or unexpected effects). But if you follow the directions on the label, you can lower your chance of side effects.
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The Drug Facts label tells you:
- The ingredients in the medicine.
- What the medicine is for.
- If the medicine is right for you and your problem.
- If there are reasons to talk to your doctor first.
- How to use your medicine.
On pages 6 and 7, you can learn about the parts of the Drug Facts label and see a sample.
Here are some safety tips and medicine facts for you and your family...
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| Tips for using medicine safely |
- Talk to your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist any time you have a question about a medicine.
- Keep a record of what you use. Your record should include OTC and prescription medicines, vitamins, herbals, and other supplements you use. Give this list to your healthcare professionals so they can keep their records up-to-date and help you use medicine safely. (see "My Medicine Record" at www.fda.gov/medsinmyhome)
- Before you start using something new, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. They can help you avoid medicines (and supplements) that don't mix well with each other.
- Choose a medicine that treats only the problems you have. Extra medicine won't help you but could cause harmful or unwanted side effects.
- Read the label each time before you use a medicine. No matter how well you think you know your medicine, check what it is, what it is for, and how to use it. Make sure you have enough light to see the label clearly.
- Check the active ingredients in all medicines. These are the parts of the medicine that make it work. Don't use two medicines with the same active ingredient at the same time, because too much can hurt you.
- Use the medicine dose listed on the label. Don't use more. If this dose doesn't help, talk to your doctor.
- Use medicine only as long as the label says. If you think you need the medicine for a longer time, talk to your doctor.
- Keep medicine in the bottle, box or tube that it came in. That will make the directions easy to find.
- Keep medicine out of reach and sight of children and pets. A locked box, cabinet, or closet is best.
- Keep all medicines in a cool, dry place. This helps medicine last longer and work better.
- If a medicine is past the date on the package, it may not work as well. Your local government can help you find the safest way to throw away old medicines while keeping them away from children and pets.
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About prescription medicine:
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Don't use other people's prescription medicine and don't share your prescription medicine with anyone else.
Use your prescription medicine only as directed. If you think you need a change in your medicine, talk to your doctor.
Make sure that your prescription medicines don't contain the same active ingredients as your OTC
medicines. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about the active ingredients in prescription medicines.
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| How to measure liquid medicine |
It is important to measure medicines correctly.
- Use the measuring spoon, cup, or syringe that comes with the medicine. It will give the most exact dose.
- If the medicine doesn't come with a special measuring tool, ask for one at the pharmacy. A silverware spoon may hold the wrong amount of medicine.
- Check the markings to make sure your measuring tool can measure the right dose.
Most liquid medicines are measured in teaspoons (tsp) and milliliters (mL).
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5 mL = 1 teaspoon (tsp)
15 mL = 3 teaspoons = 1 tablespoon (TBSP)
30 mL = 1 fluid ounce (oz)
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- Use your child's weight to find the right dose of medicine on the Drug Facts label.
- If you don't know your child's weight, use his or her age to find the right dose.
- Never guess a dose. If a dose for your child's weight or age is not listed on the label or if you can't tell how much to use, ask your pharmacist or doctor what to do.
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| Problems OTC medicine can treat |
Pain and fever are two of the most common reasons people use OTC medicines.
There are five active ingredients used to reduce fever and to treat mild aches and pains caused by headaches, muscle aches, backaches, toothaches, menstrual cramps, and the common cold:
- acetaminophen
- aspirin
- ibuprofen
- naproxen sodium
- ketoprofen
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The last four active ingredients are all members of a drug family called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs for short.
OTC medicines can treat or prevent other health problems. Here are some examples:
- Nasal congestion (decongestants).
- Allergies (antihistamines).
- Cough (cough suppressants and expectorants).
- Stomach upset (antacids and acid reducers).
- Cigarette addiction (nicotine gum, lozenge, or patch).
- Skin damage from sun (sunscreens).
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Decongestants treat nasal congestion or stuffy nose. People with high blood pressure or heart disease need to talk to their doctor before using these medicines.
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| More about active ingredients |
Active ingredients are safer when you follow directions
The active ingredients in OTC medicines can be harmful if you don't use them as directed on the label. Take for
example, the active ingredients in OTC fever and pain
medicines...
- Acetaminophen can damage your liver, especially if you use more than directed.
- Ibuprofen, naproxen, or ketoprofen can damage your kidneys.
- Children and teenagers shouldn't use aspirin for fever or flu because it may cause a severe illness called Reye's Syndrome.
Medicines can have more than one active ingredient
Medicines with more than one active ingredient are usually made to treat more than one problem. Here are some examples:
- Cold and flu medicines.
- Some allergy medicines.
- Cough and cold medicines.
Choose a medicine that treats only the problems you have. Extra medicine won't help you but could cause harmful or unwanted side effects.
| Type of product |
Is it medicine? |
Why? |
| Antiperspirant |
Yes |
Stops sweat glands from making sweat |
| Deodorant |
No |
Just covers up odor of sweat |
| Mouthwash for plaque and gum disease |
Yes |
Contains active ingredients that reduce plaque and gum disease |
| Regular mouthwash |
No |
Just makes breath smell better |
| Dandruff shampoo |
Yes |
Treats dandruff and itching |
| Regular shampoo |
No |
Just cleans hair |
| Fluoride toothpaste |
Yes |
Reduces cavities |
| Toothpaste without fluoride |
No |
Just cleans your teeth |
- The right medicine.
- For the right person.
- In the right amount.
- At the right time.
- In the right way (swallow, chew, apply to skin).
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| Are dietary supplements over-the-counter medicines? |
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Like over-the-counter medicines, dietary supplements can
be bought off the shelf without a doctor's order (prescription). They can come as tablets, capsules, softgels, liquids, or powders, so they may also look a lot like medicine you take by mouth.
But dietary supplements aren't OTC medicines.
Dietary supplements are taken by mouth to add to the food you eat. Dietary supplements may contain vitamins, minerals, herbs, and other ingredients.
Dietary supplements have Supplement Facts labels.
Over-the-counter medicines have Drug Facts labels.
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You can read more about dietary supplements and their labels at: www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/ds-oview.html.
| More about using medicines safely |
If someone uses too much medicine, call for help right away.
Doctor's phone number:
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Pharmacy phone number:
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| 24 hour Poison Control Center |
1-800-222-1222 |
| Publication No. (FDA) 07-1907 |
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