Over-the-Counter

A term used to describe drugs you can buy without a prescription.

For example, nonprescription (over-the-counter) pain relievers include acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen, supplements (glucosamine and chondroitin), and topical capsaicin cream.

Related Terms

Drug

A medicine (chemical compound) used to prevent, diagnose, or treat conditions. Some drugs need a prescription from a physician or nurse practitioner and other drugs do not need a prescription. Read more.

Drug Product

A manufactured product that contains a drug. There are many forms of drug products, including tablets (pills), capsules, creams, or liquids. A drug product often includes other chemicals that are not harmful to most people. They are included in the product for such reasons as making a liquid taste better or binding a tablet together so that it does not crumble in the bottle. Read more.