Over the counter Medicine：Over

What are over-the-counter (OTC) medicines?

Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines are those that can be sold directly to people without a prescription. OTC medicines treat a variety of illnesses and their symptoms including pain, coughs and colds, diarrhea, constipation, acne, and others. Some OTC medicines have active ingredients with the potential for misuse at higher-than-recommended dosages.

How do people use and misuse OTC medicines?

Misuse of an OTC medicine means:

taking medicine in a way or dose other than directed on the packagetaking medicine for the effect it causes- for example, to get highmixing OTC medicines together to create new products"Behind-the-Counter"

Pseudoephedrine, a nasal decongestant found in many OTC cold medicines, can be used to make methamphetamine. For this reason, products containing pseudoephedrine are sold "behind the counter" nationwide. A prescription is not needed in most states, but in states that do require a prescription, there are limits...