Over-the-Counter Drugs

In the United States, therapeutic drugs are classified into two categories: prescription drugs and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. OTC drugs, or nonprescription drugs, refer to those drugs that can be obtained without a prescription. Often OTC drugs began as prescription drugs and were later switched to OTC status. These drugs are used to treat a wide range of health ailments such as bodily aches, coughs, colds, allergies, and heartburn.

There are currently more than 300,000 OTC products that include about 800 active ingredients that constitute one of the more than 80 therapeutic classes of OTC drugs. Six out of every 10 medications bought by consumers are OTC drugs. Often, OTC drugs have the same ingredients as a prescription drug, but have a much lower dose of the active ingredient. Examples of OTC classifications include antacids, analgesics, cold remedies, stimulants, sedatives, laxatives, allergy drugs, and weight control products. OTC drugs also include more than just medications. For example, toothpaste, antiperspirants, eye drops, and sunscreens are all examples of products that are considered OTC drugs.

Characteristics of OTC drugs generally include that their benefits outweigh their risks, the potential for misuse and abuse is low, and the consumer can [Page 621]use them for self-diagnosed conditions without the need of a health practitioner to evaluate the safe and effective use of the product.

In the United States, regulation of OTC drugs is under the auspices of the Food and Drug Administration. Access to nonprescription drugs has many potential benefits, such as improved accessibility, reduced drug costs, fewer visits to healthcare providers, and improved autonomy in self-care. Conversely, potential disadvantages include risks related to misdiagnosis, misperceptions of safety, poorer compliance, and the risk of abuse. OTC drugs should not be confused with dietary supplements, which do not fall under the same regulations.