Over The Counter Medicine

Over-the-counter-medications, commonly known as OTCs, are non-prescription drugs that can be taken for a variety of ailments. Common uses for over-the-counter-medicine are cough, cold and flu symptoms, pain relief, allergies, sinus pain, and asthma. Interactions with prescriptions can be dangerous, so you should always consult a doctor or pharmacist before taking any OTC medication.

Cough, Cold and Flu Medicine
For a cough, there are two types of over-the-counter medicine: antitussives and expectorants. Antitussives, commonly known as cough suppressants, block the reflex that makes you cough. Expectorants thin mucus and help you cough it out of the mucus passageway.

Cold medicines fight symptoms, not the cold itself, and should be purchased accordingly. If you have a runny nose, an antihistamine will block the histamines that produce excess mucus. They come in three varieties: diphenhydramine, brompheniramine, and chlorpheniramine, all available in popular brand names.

If you are "stopped up," then a nasal decongestant or sinus medicine can be a good option. These OTCs narrow the blood vessels in the lining of your nose, slowing blood flow and shrinking swollen nasal tissue. But be careful, as these can be very addictive and can cause nosebleeds from overly dry nasal passageways.

For flu and pain relief, acetaminophen is recommended for OTC use. Common aspirin is effective at numbing pain in all areas of the body. Other anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen, naproxen and ketoprofen are also great for flu symptoms and pain relief. For asthma sufferers, over-the-counter medicine is not nearly as effective as a prescription, but it can be useful just the same. Inhaled asthma medications like epinephrine and ephedrine are also anti-inflammatories, and work to reduce swelling in the lungs that cause asthma symptoms and attacks.