November Health Tip

Playing it Safe with Over-the-Counter Medications

Lauren Pikna, Student Pharmacist
Evans Osei Tutu, Student Pharmacist
Preceptor: Nancy Hart, Pharm.D., BCPS
College of Pharmacy

Over-the-counter (OTC) medications are used and trusted by millions of Americans every day.  You have a throbbing headache, so you buy some Tylenol.  While you’re at the pharmacy, you purchase a decongestant to help your cold, and you also get a prescription filled from the pharmacy.  This is a common scenario for most people. 
Just as you follow your doctor’s advice when taking a prescription drug, it is important you know how to take OTC medications with care. 

What is an over-the-counter medication?
An OTC medication is one that you can buy without a doctor’s prescription.  It allows you to treat some of your symptoms on your own without making an appointment to see your doctor.  OTC medication can be conveniently purchased at pharmacies and grocery stores. 

Understanding over-the-counter medication labels
Over-the-counter medication labels give important information and warnings to the consumer so one can use the product safely and effectively.  The label also tells you the medication expiration date, lot or batch code (manufacturer information to help identify the product), name of manufacturer or distributor, how much of the product is in each package, and what to do if an overdose occurs. The content of the label includes:

• Active Ingredient: Substance in the product that makes the medicine work and relieves symptoms

• Purpose: Medication product category (e.g., antihistamine, antacid, etc.)
• Uses:  Symptoms the product will treat or prevent
• Warnings: When not to use the product; conditions that may require advice from a doctor before taking the product; possible interactions or side effects; when to stop taking the product and when to contact a doctor
• Directions: Instructions about how much medicine to take and how often to take it
• Other Information: Explains how to properly store the product
• Inactive Ingredients: Substances that do not directly help the medicine work (such as colors and flavors)

Below is an example of what an OTC medicine label looks like:

How do I know OTC medication is safe to use?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) decides whether medications will be available over-the-counter or by prescription only. Over-the-counter medicines are drugs that are safe and beneficial when the directions on the label are followed. But don’t be fooled - OTC medications possess risks when misused and may interact with other medicines. Some OTC drugs also interact with food and nutritional supplements, as well as with health conditions (such as diabetes, high blood pressure, etc.). Check with your pharmacist or doctor if you have any questions regarding interactions involving OTC drugs.

You can safely use OTC medications by following these easy tips:

• Carefully read the label and directions of the medication you’re taking
• Do not mix medications without checking with your healthcare provider or pharmacist
• Never take more than the recommended dose
• Know the medication side effects – talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you have any questions
• Take the recommended dose at the recommended times
• Store all medicines in their original containers
• Check the expiration date – do not use medication that is expired

Where can I find more information about OTC medications?
Your health care professional should be able to answer your questions or concerns about OTC medicines. You can also contact the FDA at 1-888-INFO-FDA or visit them online at http://www.fda.gov/cder.

References

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Over-the-counter medicines: what’s right for you? Accessed October 13, 2009.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The new over-the-counter medicine label: take a look. Accessed October 13, 2009.