178,000
hospitalizations occur annually from OTC drug misuse
DHA
81%
of adults turn to over-the-counter medications as their initial approach to minor health issues.
CHPA
80+
classes exist for over-the-counter medications
Drugs.com
300,000+
different nonprescription drugs are marketed in the U.S.
FDA

Over-the-Counter Medicines DrugFacts

Over-the-counter (OTC) medications are those available for purchase by individuals without the need for a prescription. OTC medications address various conditions and their symptoms, such as pain, coughs and colds, diarrhea, constipation, acne, and more. Certain OTC medications contain active ingredients that could be misused if taken in higher-than-recommended amounts.

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Over-the-Counter Medicines DrugFacts