Over-The-Counter Drugs

Over-the-counter (OTC) medications are available to the public without a prescription and have the potential of being misused or abused. Common examples of these medications are analgesics, sleep aids, and cough-and-cold remedies. Corticosteroids are also popular drugs found over the counter and are used to control inflammation and pain. Although easily accessible, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin can produce serious problems if abused. OTC medications may be obtained for a variety of ailments, such as allergies, colds, and coughs, and even as an aid to help keep someone alert when driving for long hours. Although OTC medications may seem harmless, and in fact they generally are when taken at the recommended dosages, there are many common misconceptions about these drugs. Many think they ...