Over-the-counter drug facts for kids

Aspirin tablets are a common over-the-counter medicine.

OTC medicine often has special caps to make it hard for children to open.

This picture shows medicine boxes with special numbers and symbols. These tell you if a medicine needs a doctor's note or can be bought at a pharmacy.

Over-the-counter (often called OTC) medicines are drugs you can buy without a doctor's note. You can find them in pharmacies, supermarkets, and other stores. These are different from prescription drugs, which a doctor must approve for you. Prescription drugs are only for the person they are prescribed to.

Sometimes, even if a medicine is OTC, a pharmacist might need to talk to you first. They will make sure the medicine is right for you. Rules about where and how medicines are sold can be different in each country.

In many places, a special group called a regulatory agency checks OTC drugs. They make sure the ingredients are safe and work well. This means you can use them without needing a doctor's help.

How People Use OTC Medicines

Many people use OTC medicines to feel better when they have small health problems. For example, they might use them for a headache or a cold. In 2011, about one-third of older adults in the U.S. used OTC drugs. By 2018, this number grew to 81% of adults using them for minor sicknesses. This shows how common and helpful these medicines are.

Related Information

• Pharmacy

Images for kids

• 

  OTC medicine with special caps to keep children safe.

• 

  Medicine packaging showing special numbers and symbols.

See also

In Spanish: Medicamento de venta libre para niños