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. 

• Choosing the right over-the-counter medicine (OTCs)
• The Over-the-Counter Medicine Label
• Tips For Parents
• Pain Relievers/Fever Reducers: Using Acetaminophen and NSAID Medicine Safely
• Safe Use of Daily Aspirin
• Medicines in My Home

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

• "Kids Aren't Just Small Adults." This brochure provides 10 safety tips for giving nonprescription medicine to your child. (Created in cooperation with the Consumer Health Care Products Association.)
   
  • En Español "Los Niños No Son Simplemente Adultos Pequeños." This brochure provides 10 safety tips for giving nonprescription medicine to your child. (Created in cooperation with the Consumer Health Care Products Association.
     
• "Checklist for Choosing Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medicine for Children." Before you go to the store to choose an over-the-counter medicine for your child, use this checklist to help you gather the information you need. At the store, the checklist will help you pick the right medicine.
  
  
• "Got a Sick Kid? Don’t Guess. Read the Label. Make sure you’re giving your children the right medicine and the right amount." This brochure gives 10 ways to make sure you give nonprescription medicine to children in the right way in the right amount. It includes an immunization schedule. (Created in cooperation with the Council for Family Health.)
   
  • En Español "¿Está enfermo uno de sus hijos? No adivine. Lea las indicaciones. Asegúrese de dar a los niños la medicina correcta y la cantidad correcta." This brochure gives 10 ways to make sure you give nonprescription medicine to children in the right way in the right amount. It includes an immunization schedule. (Created in cooperation with the Council for Family Health.)

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

• "The best way to take your over-the-counter pain reliever? Seriously." This brochure explains what OTC pain relievers and fever reducers are and how to use them so they are safe and effective. It also discusses the dangers from using more than one over-the-counter medicine with the same active ingredient.
  
  
  • En Español "¿Cuál es la mejor manera de tomar su medicina comprada sin receta médica? Con seriedad." This brochure explains what OTC pain relievers and fever reducers are and how to use them so they are safe and effective. It also discusses the dangers from using more than one over-the-counter medicine with the same active ingredient.
    
    
• "Use Caution With Pain Relievers." This FDA Consumer article, revised in November 2003, discusses the benefits and risks of using over-the-counter pain relievers and fever reducers. For reprints, e-mail dpapubs@fda.hhs.gov, or call 301-796-3703 or 1-888-INFO-FDA.
  
  
• "Health Bulletin: Use Caution With Pain Relievers." This article is about acetaminophen, an active ingredient in many over-the-counter and prescription medicines to fight pain and fever. However, misusing this active ingredient can lead to a very serious injury.
  
  
• "Health Hints: Use Caution with Pain Relievers." This short article discusses the importance of knowing the active ingredients of and directions on all the over-the-counter medicine you use.

Safe Use of Daily Aspirin

• "Aspirin for Reducing Your Risk of Heart Attack and Stroke: KNOW THE FACTS." This brochure explains why you need to work with your health professional when choosing and using aspirin for lowering the risk of heart attack and stroke.
   
• "Before Using Aspirin to Lower Your Risk of Heart Attack or Stroke, Here is What You Should Know." This fact sheet explains that you should not use over-the-counter aspirin to lower your risk of heart attack and stroke unless it is prescribed by your health professional. It discusses what studies show, what the risks are, and how dose matters.
   
• "Daily Aspirin Therapy." This FDA Consumer article from Sept-Oct 2003 discusses the risks and benefits of daily aspirin therapy.

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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