Over-the-counter medications, abbreviated with the acronym OTC, tend to be the ready-made, factory designed drugs.
Prescription medications, often abbreviated with the symbol Rx, are more specific and personalised drugs.
Over-the-counter medications are those drugs which may be self-selected by a person and obtained from a store shelf.
In this instance, it is the individual who diagnoses his own illness and selects the appropriate treatment.
Over-the-counter (OTC) medications tend to be produced for the masses to consume safely; therefore, most OTC preparations are milder in strength then prescription medications.
Furthermore, OTC medicines tend to be more generalised in order to help with a variety of ailments and enable multiple people in a household to use them
For example, ibuprofen can be bought to help Dad with a headache, Mom with a fever, and Sally with her menstrual cramps.
Oral antibiotics are not OTC drugs and require a prescription but local use antibiotic like creams do not require antibiotics
Food supplements are different than OTC and there is very relaxed regulation by the FDA
Unlike food supplements like vitamins, etc, OTC drugs there is no indication shown if they are vegetarian or non vegetarian.
oral contraceptive pills do not need a prescription and are considered OTC in India
but some devices like Copper T or any other kind of invasive medical devices require a prescription and are not OTC
precautions and care:
these medicines can be stored for use of the entire family but must keep a track of the expiry dates
store the medicines in a cool and dry place. Not required to store it in fridge
check the labels, the fewer the ingredients, the better
check the label on how to use the medicines
consult doctor before using any OTC for children and old people.
OTC use in the prescribed dose only and don't increase the dose.
OTC cannot be used along with alcohol
avoid caution and consult a doctor before using OTC in pregnant and breast feeding ladies
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