OVER THE

COUNTER
DRUGS
OVER THE COUNTER DRUGS
 Also known as OTC or non-prescription
medicine.
 Are medicines sold directly to a consumer
without a prescription from a healthcare
professional.
 They are safe and effective for use by the
general public without a prescription by reading
and following directions on the label.
 These drugs are often located on shelves in
pharmacies with easy access by patients, but
may also be located in non-pharmacy outlets,
such as grocery stores, convenience marts and
large discount retailers.
DIFFERENCE
Prescription Medicine OTC Medicine
COMMON OVER-THE-COUNTER MEDS IN
THE PHILIPPINES
1. Ibuprofen -is used to reduce fever and treat pain or inflammation
caused by many conditions such as headache, toothache, back pain,
arthritis, menstrual cramps, or minor injury.
International: Advil
Local: Advil, Dolan, Alaxan, Medicol, and Midol
2. Diphenhydramine -is used to treat sneezing; runny nose; itching,
watery eyes; hives; rashes; itching; and other symptoms of allergies and
the common cold.
International: Benadryl
Local: Benadryl
3. Loperamide -slows the rhythm of digestion so that the small intestines
have more time to absorb fluid and nutrients from the foods you eat. Simply
to treat diarrhea.
International: Imodium
Local: Diatabs
COMMON OVER-THE-COUNTER MEDS IN
THE PHILIPPINES
4. Famotidine -is used to treat and prevent ulcers in the stomach and
intestines. It also treats conditions in which the stomach produces too
much acid.
International: Pepcid
Local: Kremil-S Advance
5. Dimenhydrinate -is used to treat or prevent nausea, vomiting, and
dizziness associated with motion sickness.
International: Dramamine
Local: Bonamine
6. Pepto-Bismol -treats heartburn, upset stomach, indigestion, nausea,
diarrhea, or symptoms associated with eating or drinking too much.
International: Pepto-Bismol
Local: Lomotil or Immodium
MOST ABUSED DRUGS
• Marijuana
Marijuana or cannabis is the most commonly used
illicit substance. This drug impairs short-term memory
and learning, the ability to focus, and coordination.
• K2 or Spice
“K2” or “Spice” refers to a wide variety of herbal
mixtures that produce experiences similar to
marijuana. Of the illicit drugs most used by high school
seniors, Spice is second only to marijuana.
MOST ABUSED DRUGS
• Cocaine
A powerful, addictive stimulant, cocaine gives users
a euphoric feeling when ingested, which, depending on
the person, may or may not actually feel good. 
• Methamphetamine
Usually a white powder that is smoked, snorted, or
injected, this powerful stimulant is highly addictive. Like
cocaine, Methamphetamine can speed up the heart,
as well as cause hyperthermia, an extremely high
body temperature.
MOST ABUSED DRUGS
• Heroin
An opioid drug made from morphine, a natural
substance extracted from the seed pod of the Asian
opium poppy plant. It is also used as a recreational
drug for its euphoric effects.
• LSD/Lysergic acid diethylamide
A hallucinogen manufactured from lysergic acid,
which is found in ergot, a fungus that grows on rye and
other grains. LSD is an abbreviation of the scientific
name lysergic acid diethylamide.
ADVANTAGES
 They are usually cheaper than prescription
drugs
 You do not need a prescription to obtain
them.
 They are readily available in many types of
stores, not just pharmacies
 Consumers are able to…
• Self diagnose
• Self treat
• Self Manage
 Health practitioners are not needed.
DISADVANTAGES
 There is no one to tell you what medication
to take for the problem you are having. You
could easily select the wrong medication
because you have misdiagnosed your
problem.
 The instructions on the label are vague: you
could easily under or overdose yourself.
 Many over the counter medications have
worse side effects than prescription ones
when used according to package directions.
 They are often old treatments and not
guaranteed to provide adequate results even
if taken correctly for the correct problem
 EXTRAS!
The Food and Drug Administration decides whether a
medicine is safe enough to sell over-the-counter. Taking
OTC medicines still has risks. Some interact with other
medicines, supplements, foods or drinks. Others cause
problems for people with certain medical conditions. If
you're pregnant, talk to your health care provider before
taking any medicines.
It is important to take medicines correctly, and be careful
when giving them to children. More medicine does not
necessarily mean better. You should never take OTC
medicines longer or in higher doses than the label
recommends. If your symptoms don't go away, it's a
clear signal that it's time to see your healthcare provider.
FOR MORE INFO
(just visit these websites)

• http://www.consumermedsafety.org/the-basics/what-are-s
ome-of-the-differences-between-prescription-medicine-an
d-over-the-counter-otc-medicine
• http://www.webmd.com/allergies/otc-vs-prescription-what
s-difference
• https://medlineplus.gov/druginformation.html
• http://www.slideshare.net/RashaDabbagh/otc-drugs
• http://www.merckmanuals.com/home/drugs/over-the-coun
ter-drugs/overview-of-over-the-counter-drugs
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Over-the-counter_drug
• https://www.drugabuse.gov/drugs-abuse/commonly-
abused-drugs-charts