Over-the-counter Medications: Uses and Benefits

Over-the-counter medications are drugs that can be purchased without a prescription and are used to treat minor ailments and symptoms. They are available in pharmacies and general stores.
Category
Medication
Where to get
Available over the counter in pharmacies and general stores.
Applicable for
Prepared by Shruti Sahoo, reviewed by Dr. Eugene Smith

Over-the-counter Medications FAQ


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What is an 'over the counter' medicine?

Over-the-counter medicines (OTC) are medicines that are not prescription medicines and are not complementary medicines. OTC medicines can be supplied as: general sales medicines that are not included in any of the Schedules to the Poisons Standard.

Are over-the-counter medicines prescription medicines?

Over-the-counter medicines (OTC) are not prescription medicines or complementary medicines.

What are over-the-counter (OTC) drugs?

, PharmD, University of California San Francisco School of Pharmacy Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs are those 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.

Over-the-counter Medications References

If you want to know more about Over-the-counter Medications, consider exploring links below:

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