Nonprescription Medicines
What’s Right for You?

Distributed as a Public Service
By the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Nonprescription Drug Manufacturers Association

Advice For Americans About Self-Care

Access + Knowledge = Power

American medicine cabinets contain a growing choice of nonprescription, over-the-counter (OTC) 
medicines to treat an expanding range of ailments.  OTC medications often do more than 
relieve aches, pains and itches.  Some can prevent diseases like tooth decay, cure diseases 
like athlete’s foot and, with a doctor’s guidance, help manage recurring conditions like 
vaginitis and the minor pain of arthritis.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) determines whether medicines are prescription or 
nonprescription.  The term prescription (Rx) refers to medicines that are safe and effective 
when used under a doctor’s order.  Nonprescription (OTC) drugs are medicines FDA decides are 
safe and effective for use without a doctor’s prescription.

FDA also decides when a prescription drug is safe enough to be sold directly to consumers 
over the counter.  The regulatory process allowing Americans to take a more active role 
in their health care is known as Rx-to-OTC switch. As a result of this process, more 
than 600 products sold over the counter today use ingredients or dosage strengths 
available only by prescription 20 years ago.

Increased access to OTC medicines is especially important for our maturing population.  Two 
out of three older Americans rate their health as excellent to good, but four out of five 
report at least one chronic condition.

Fact is, today’s nonprescription medicines off greater opportunity to treat more of the 
aches and illnesses most likely to appear in our later years.  As we live longer, work longer 
and take a more active role in our own health care, the need grows to become better 
informed about self-care.

The best way to become better informed - for young and old alike - is to read and understand 
the information on OTC labels. Next to the medicine itself, it’s the most important part of 
self-care with nonprescription medicines.

With new opportunities in self-medication come new responsibilities and a growing need for 
knowledge.  The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Nonprescription Drug 
Manufacturers Association (NDMA) have prepared the following information to help 
Americans take advantage of self-care opportunities.

It’s On The Label

A description of tamper-resistant feature(s) to check before you buy the product
The product name
Ingredients
Any recent significant product changes
Indications - What the medicine is for
Usual Dosage - Directions for use
Warnings - When to stop taking the medicine; when to see a doctor; possible side effects
Exp. Date - When to throw it out

OTC Know-how is on the label

You wouldn’t ignore your doctor’s instructions for using a prescription drug; so don’t ignore 
the label when taking a nonprescription medicine.

Some medicines, though, come in small packages - and reading the label is not always that easy.  
That’s why the OTC industry and FDA are working to make medicine labels easier to read - 
and easier to understand.

You can help yourself too.  Always use enough light (it usually takes three times more 
light to read the same line at age 60 than at age 30)  and use your glasses or contact 
lenses when reading labels!

When it comes to medicines, more does not necessarily mean better.  You should never 
misuse OTC medicines by taking them longer or in higher doses than the label recommends.  
Symptoms that persist are a clear signal it’s time to see a doctor.

Remember, if you read the label and still have questions, talk to a doctor, nurse or 
pharmacist.

Drug Interactions: A Word to the Wise

Although mild and relatively uncommon, interactions involving OTC drugs can produce 
unwanted results of make medicines less effective.  It’s especially important to 
know about drug interactions if you’re taking Rx and OTC drugs as the same time.

Some drugs can also interact with foods and beverages, as well as with health conditions 
such as diabetes, kidney disease and high blood pressure.

Here are a few drug interaction cautions for some common OTC ingredients:

Avoid alcohol if you are taking antihistamines, cough-cold products with the ingredient 
dextromethorphan or drugs that treat sleeplessness.

Do not use drugs that treat sleeplessness if you are taking prescription sedatives or
tranquilizers.

Check with your doctor before taking products containing aspirin if you’re taking a 
prescription blood thinner or if you have diabetes or gout.

Do not use laxatives when you have stomach pain, nausea or vomiting.

Do not use cough-cold or weight-control medicines with the ingredient phenylpropanolamine 
(PPA) if you’re being treated for high blood pressure or depression, if you have heart 
disease, diabetes or thyroid disease, or if you are taking other medicines containing PPA.

Unless directed by a doctor, do not use a nasal decongestant if you are taking a 
prescription drug for high blood pressure or depression, or if you have heart or thyroid 
disease, diabetes or prostate problems.

This is not a complete list.  Read the label!  Drug labels change as new information 
becomes available.  That’s why it’s important to read the label each time you take medicine.

Time For a Medicine Cabinet Checkup?

Be sure to look through your medicine supply at least once a year.

Always store medicines in a cool, dry place.

Throw away any medicines that are past the expiration date.

To make sure no one takes the wrong medicine, keep all medicines in their original containers.

Pregnancy and Nursing

Drugs can pass from a pregnant woman to her unborn baby.  A safe amount of medicine for the 
mother may be too much for the unborn baby.  If you’re pregnant, always talk with your doctor 
before taking any drugs, Rx or OTC. 

Although most drugs pass into breast milk in concentrations too low to have any unwanted 
effects on the baby, breast-feeding mothers still need to be careful.  Always ask your 
doctor before taking any medicine while breast-feeding.  A doctor can tell you how to adjust 
the timing and dosing of most medicines so the baby is exposed to the lowest amount possible, 
or whether the drugs should be avoided altogether.

Kids Aren’t Just Small Adults

OTC drugs rarely come in one-size-fits-all.  Here are some tips about giving OTC medicines 
to children:

Children aren’t just small adults, so don’t estimate the dose based on their size.  Read 
the label.  Follow all directions.

Know the difference between TBSP. (tablespoon) and TSP. (teaspoon).  They are 
different doses.

Be careful about converting dose instructions.  If the label says two teaspoons, it’s best 
to use a measuring spoon or a dosing cup marked in teaspoons, not a common kitchen spoon.

Don’t play doctor.  Don’t double the dose just because your child seems sicker that last time.

Before you give your child two medicines at the same time, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Follow any age limits on the label.

Never let children take medicines by themselves.

Never call medicine candy to get your kids to take it.  If they come across the medicine 
on their own, they’re likely to remember that you called it candy.

Child-Resistant Packaging

Child-resistant caps are designed for repeated use to make it difficult for children to open.  
Remember, if you don’t re-lock the cap after each use, the child-resistant device can’t 
do its job - keeping children out!

It’s best to store all medicines - including vitamins and supplements - where children can 
neither see nor reach them.  Containers of pills should not be left on the kitchen counter 
as a reminder.  Purses and briefcases are among the worst places to hide drugs from curious 
kids.  And since children are natural mimics, it’s a good idea not to take medicines in 
front of them.  They may be tempted to play house with your medicine later on.

Be especially careful with iron-containing supplements.  Iron is the leading cause of 
accidental fatal poisonings in children under three.

If you find some packages too difficult to open - and don’t have young children living with 
you or visiting - you should know the law allows one package size for each medicine to 
be sold without child-resistant features.  If you don’t see it on the store shelf, ask.

Protect Yourself Against Tampering

Makers of OTC medicines seal most products in tamper-resistant packaging (TRP) to help 
protect against criminal tampering.  TRP works by providing visible evidence if the package 
has been distributed.  But OTC packaging cannot be 100 percent tamper-proof.  
Here’s how to help protect yourself:

Be alert to the tamper-resistant features on the package before you open it.  These 
features are described on the label.

Inspect the outer packaging before you buy it.  When you get home, inspect the 
medicine inside.

Don’t buy an OTC product if the packaging is damaged.

Don’t use any medicine that looks discolored or different in any way.

If anything looks suspicious, be suspicious.  Contact the store where you bought 
the product.  Take if back!

Never take medicine in the dark