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 Consumer Education: Over-the-Counter Medicine

Over-the-counter medicine is also known as OTC or nonprescription medicine. All these terms refer to medicine that you can buy without a prescription. They are safe and effective when you follow the directions on the label and as directed by your health care professional.

The following materials will help you, working with your health care professionals, to choose and use over-the-counter medicine wisely.

To obtain printed copies of any of these materials, please email your request by title to: dpapubs@fda.hhs.gov. You can also call 301-796-3703 or 1-888-INFO-FDA. 

The following links are text documents. You can also view the graphic versions (if available) by going to the "All Graphics and Other Media" page.

 

Choosing the right over-the-counter medicine (OTCs)

  • "Over-the-Counter Medicines: What's Right for You?" This pamphlet discusses the importance of reading the Drug Facts label, avoiding interactions, using OTCs while pregnant or nursing, treating a child, and more. (Created in cooperation with the Consumer Healthcare Products Association.)
     
    • En Español  "Medicamentos sin receta: ¿Cual es adecuado para usted?" This pamphlet discusses the importance of reading the Drug Facts  label, avoiding interactions, using OTCs while pregnant or nursing, treating a child, and more. (Created in cooperation with the Consumer Healthcare Products Association.)

  • "Checklist for Choosing Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medicine for Adults." Before you go to the store to choose an over-the-counter medicine for you or another adult, use this checklist to help gather the information you need. At the store, the checklist will help you pick the right medicine.

The Over-the-Counter Medicine Label

  • "The New Over-the-Counter Medicine Label: Take a Look." This brochure introduces you to the new and easier to understand Drug Facts  label. It includes the importance of reading and using the label, and more. A detailed explanation of each section and a sample of the label is featured.

Tips For Parents

Pain Relievers/Fever Reducers: Using Acetaminophen and NSAID Medicine Safely

Safe Use of Daily Aspirin

For more information about over-the-counter medicine, please visit the "Division of Over-the-Counter (OTC) Drug Products" Web site at www.fda.gov/cder/Offices/OTC/default.htm

For more information about the use of medicine in children, please visit the "Pediatric Drug Development" Web site at www.fda.gov/cder/pediatric/index.htm and the "Office of Pediatric Therapeutics" Web site at www.fda.gov/oc/opt/default.htm

For more information about over-the-counter pain relievers and fever reducers, please visit "Safe Use of Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers (analgesics) and Fever Reducers (antipyretics)," at www.fda.gov/cder/drug/analgesics/default.htm, and "COX-2 Selective (includes Bextra, Celebrex, and Vioxx) and Non-Selective Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)" at www.fda.gov/cder/drug/infopage/cox2.

For more information on aspirin therapy, please visit "New Prescribed Uses of Aspirin: Questions and Answers," dated October 20, 1998, at www.fda.gov/cder/news/aspirin/aspirin_qa.htm.

For information about an interactive educational program about the safe and effective use of over-the-counter medicines, please visit the "Medicines in My Home" Web site at www.fda.gov/medsinmyhome.

All graphics and other media on Over-the-Counter Medicine

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Date created: November 3, 2004, updated February 10, 2009

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