Introduction
Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs are drugs that are available without a prescription.
OTC drugs enable people to relieve many annoying symptoms and to cure some diseases simply and without the cost of seeing a doctor. However, safe use of these drugs requires knowledge, common sense, and responsibility.
Most OTC drugs--unlike health foods, dietary supplements (including medicinal herbs (see Section 2, Chapter 19)), and complementary therapies (see Section 25, Chapter 302)--have been studied scientifically and extensively. Also, some OTC drugs were originally available only by prescription. (Some OTC drugs, such as aspirin, have always been available without prescription.) After many years of use under prescription regulation, drugs with excellent safety records may be approved by the FDA for over-the-counter sale. The analgesic ibuprofen and the indigestion remedy famotidine are examples of such drugs. Often, the OTC version has a substantially lower amount of active ingredient in each tablet, capsule, or caplet than does the prescription drug. When establishing appropriate doses of OTC drugs, manufacturers and the FDA try to balance safety and effectiveness.
OTC drugs are not always better tolerated than similar prescription drugs. For example, the OTC sleep aid diphenhydramine is neither as effective nor as safe, especially for older people, as many prescription sleep aids.
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