nutch_noindex
Search Icon
    Menu Button
    Stanford Children's Health
    DonateContactMyChart LoginFind a Doctor
    • Second Opinion
    • Donate
    • Contact
    • Refer a Patient
    • En Español
    • Our Locations
    • Medical Services
    • About Us
    • Research & Innovation
    • Patients & Visitors
    • For Health Professionals
    • Second Opinion
    • Donate
    • En Español
    • MyChart Login
    • Recently Visited
      • Our Locations
      • Medical Services
      • About Us
      • Research & Innovation
      • Patients & Visitors
      • For Health Professionals
      CANCEL
      • View More Results

      Loading...

      COVID-2019 Alert

      Information about the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. Read the latest >

      Información sobre el coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). Aprenda más >

      /nutch_noindex

       


      How to Safely Choose OTC Medicines

      Over-the-counter (OTC) cough and pain relievers, laxatives, and headache remedies may treat different conditions, but they all have one thing in common. They’re serious medicines that need to be taken with care.

      OTC medicines are real medicines and can have side effects and risks, even though you don’t need a prescription to buy them. Generally, they are safe when taken exactly as directed on the label. But they can be dangerous if the wrong dosage is taken or the right amount is taken too often. Or if they interact with other medicines you take.

      When taking OTCs, always read the label. This will help you decide if you have picked the right product for your symptoms. By reading the label, you will find the dosing instructions and read about any warnings that may apply to you, like not to take a medicine if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, Parkinson disease, or if you are pregnant.

      The label will tell you what to avoid while taking the medicine. Like prescription medicines, some OTC drugs can cause side effects or reactions. Read the label to see what to avoid while you’re taking an OTC drug.

      Take medicine exactly as stated on the label. If that dosage or amount does not help your symptoms, talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist. If you still have symptoms after the number of days recommended on the bottle or if your symptoms get worse, contact your healthcare provider.

      Use extra caution when taking more than one medicine at a time.

      Some prescription medicines contain the same ingredients as OTCs. Combining 2 or more of these medicines would result in an overdose.

      If, for example, you take a prescription drug that contains acetaminophen, and then take an OTC form of acetaminophen, you could risk developing liver failure.

      Always read and follow the directions on OTC medicines. Store all your medicines in a cool dry place, and if possible in their original containers. When in doubt, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for advice.

      Related Topics

      • Neurological Exam for Children
      • Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
      nutch_noindex
      • About Us
      • Contact
      • MyChart Login
      • Careers
      • Blog
      • Refer a Patient
      • Download from App Store Download From Google Play
      • Notice of Nondiscrimination
      • Terms of Use
      • Privacy Policy
      • Code of Conduct

      © 2021 Stanford Children's Health

      About

      • About Us
      • Our Hospital
      • Patient Stories
      • Blog
      • News
      • Send a Greeting Card
      • New Hospital
      • Careers

      Connect

      • Donate
      • Refer a Patient
      • Contact Us
      • Pay Your Bill

      Find

      • Doctors
      • Locations
      • Services
      • Classes
      Download from App Store Download From Google Play

      Also Find Us on:

      • facebook
      • twitter
      • youtube
      • linkedin
      US News & World Report Badge
      • Stanford Medicine
      • Stanford University
      • Stanford Health Care
      • Lucile Packard Foundation
      • Notice of Nondiscrimination
      • Terms of Use
      • Privacy Policy
      • Code of Conduct
      • © 2021 Stanford Children's Health
      /nutch_noindex