Over-the-counter medicines
Medicines to have at home
Information
You can buy many medicines for minor problems at the store without a prescription (over-the-counter).
Important tips for using over-the-counter medicines:
- Always follow the printed directions and warnings. Talk to your health care provider before starting a new medicine.
- Know what you are taking. Look at the list of ingredients and choose products that have fewer items listed.
- All medicines become less effective over time and should be replaced. Check the expiration date before using any product.
- Store medicines in a cool, dry area. Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should talk to their provider before taking any new medicine.
Medicines affect children and older adults differently. People in these age groups should take special care when taking over-the-counter medicines.
Check with your provider before taking an over-the-counter medicine if:
- Your symptoms are very bad.
- You are not sure what is wrong with you.
- You have a long-term medical problem or you are taking prescription medicines.
ACHES, PAINS, AND HEADACHES
Over-the-counter pain medicines can help with headache , arthritis pain, sprains, and other minor joint and muscle problems.
Headache
A headache is pain or discomfort in the head, scalp, or neck. Serious causes of headaches are rare. Most people with headaches can feel much better...
- Acetaminophen. Try this medicine first for your pain. DO NOT take more than 4 grams (4,000 mg) on any 1 day.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). You can buy some NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen and naproxen, without a prescription.
Both of these medicines can have serious side effects if you take them in high doses or for a long time. Tell your provider if you are taking these medicines many times a week. You may need to be checked for side effects.
FEVER
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) help reduce fever in children and adults.
Fever
Fever is the temporary increase in the body's temperature in response to a disease or illness. A child has a fever when the temperature is at or abov...
- Take acetaminophen every 4 to 6 hours.
- Take ibuprofen every 6 to 8 hours. DO NOT use ibuprofen in children younger than 6 months.
- Know how much you or your child weighs before giving these medicines.
Aspirin works very well for treating fever in adults. DO NOT give aspirin to a child unless your child's provider tells you it is OK.
COLD, SORE THROAT, COUGHCold medicines can treat symptoms to make you feel better, but they do not shorten a cold. Taking zinc supplements within 24 hours of the start of a cold may reduce the symptoms and duration of a cold.
NOTE: Talk to your provider before giving your child any type of over-the-counter cold medicine, even if it is labeled for children.
Cough medicines:
Cough
Coughing is an important way to keep your throat and airways clear. But too much coughing may mean you have a disease or disorder. Some coughs are d...
- Guaifenesin: Helps break up mucus. Drink lots of fluids if you take this medicine.
- Menthol throat lozenges: Soothe "tickle" in the throat (Halls, Robitussin, Vicks).
- Liquid cough medicines with dextromethorphan: Suppress the urge to cough (Benylin, Delsym, Robitussin DM, Simply Cough, Vicks 44, and store brands).
Decongestants:
- Decongestants help clear a runny nose and relieve postnasal drip.
- Decongestant nasal sprays may work more quickly, but they can have a rebound effect if you use them for more than 3 to 5 days. Your symptoms may get worse if you keep using these sprays.
- Check with your provider before taking decongestants if you have high blood pressure or prostate problems.
- Oral decongestants: Pseudophedrine (Contac Non-Drowsy, Sudafed, and store brands); phenylephrine (Sudafed PE and store brands)
- Decongestant nasal sprays: Oxymetazoline (Afrin, Neo-Synephrine Nighttime, Sinex Spray); phenylephrine (Neo-Synephrine, Sinex Capsules).
Sore throat medicines:
Sore throat
Pharyngitis, or sore throat, is discomfort, pain, or scratchiness in the throat. It often makes it painful to swallow.
- Sprays to numb pain: Dyclonine (Cepacol); phenol (Chloraseptic).
- Painkillers: Acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve).
- Hard candies that coat throat: Sucking on candy or throat lozenges can be soothing. Be careful in young children because of the choking risk.
ALLERGIES
Antihistamine pills and liquids work well for treating allergy symptoms .
Allergy symptoms
An allergy is an immune response or reaction to substances that are usually not harmful.
- Antihistamines that may cause sleepiness: Diphenhydramine (Benadryl); chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton); brompheniramine (Dimetapp), or clemastine (Tavist).
- Antihistamines that cause little or no sleepiness: Loratadine (Alavert, Claritin, Dimetapp ND); fexofenadine (Allegra); cetirizine (Zyrtec).
Talk to your provider before giving medicines that cause sleepiness to a child, because they can affect learning. They can also affect alertness in adults.
You can also try:
- Eye drops: Soothe or moisten the eyes
- Preventive nasal spray: Cromolyn sodium (Nasalcrom), fluticasone (Flonase)
STOMACH UPSET
Medicines for diarrhea:
- Antidiarrhea medicines such as loperamide (Imodium): These medicines slow down action of intestine and reduce number of bowel movements. Talk to your provider before taking them because they can worsen diarrhea caused by infection.
- Medicines that contain bismuth: May be taken for mild diarrhea (Kaopectate, Pepto-Bismol)
- Rehydration fluids: May be used for moderate and severe diarrhea (Enfalyte or Pedialyte)
Medicines for nausea and vomiting:
- Liquids and pills for stomach upset: May help with mild nausea and vomiting (Emetrol; Pepto-Bismol)
- Rehydration fluids: May be used to replace fluids from vomiting (Enfalyte or Pedialyte)
- Medicines for motion sickness: Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine); meclizine (Bonine, Antivert, Postafen, and Sea Legs)
SKIN RASHES AND ITCHING
- Antihistamines taken by mouth: May help with itching or if you have allergies.
-
Hydrocortisone cream: May help with mild
rashes
(Cortaid, Cortizone 10)
Rashes
Rashes involve changes in the color, feeling or texture of your skin.
- Antifungal creams and ointments: May help with diaper rashes and rashes caused by yeast (nystatin, miconazole, clotrimazole, and ketoconazole).
References
Garza I, Swanson JW, Cheshire WP, et al. Headache and other craniofacial pain. In: Daroff RB, Fenichel GM, Jankovic J, Mazziotta JC, eds. Bradley's Neurology in Clinical Practice . 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2012:chap 69.
Habif TP. Atopic dermatitis. In: Habif TP, ed. Clinical Dermatology . 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:chap 5.
Kim SY, Chang YJ, Cho HM, Hwang YW, Moon YS. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for the common cold. Cochrane Database Syst Rev . 2013;6:CD006362. PMID: 23733384 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23733384 .
Li S, Yue J, Dong BR, Yang M, Lin X, Wu T. Acetaminophen (paracetamol) for the common cold in adults. Cochrane Database Syst Rev . 2013;7:CD008800. PMID: 23818046 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23818046 .
Semrad CE. Approach to the patient with diarrhea and malabsorption. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman's Cecil Medicine . 25th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 140.
Singh M, Das RR. Zinc for the common cold. Cochrane Database Syst Rev . 2013;6:CD001364. PMID: 23775705 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23775705 .
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Tips on buying cold and flu medicines
Animation
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Drugs - illustration
Many drugs are sold over-the-counter (no prescription necessary) and intended for medicinal use at home. Drugs for fever, cough, stuffy nose, runny nose, diarrhea, and allergies are common drugs which are especially helpful during times of illness. All medications should be kept out of the reach of children.
Drugs
illustration
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Drugs - illustration
Many drugs are sold over-the-counter (no prescription necessary) and intended for medicinal use at home. Drugs for fever, cough, stuffy nose, runny nose, diarrhea, and allergies are common drugs which are especially helpful during times of illness. All medications should be kept out of the reach of children.
Drugs
illustration
Review Date: 8/14/2015
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director and Director of Didactic Curriculum, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.