With all the choices of over-the-counter (OTC) products available in the marketplace, it is increasingly difficult to select the proper product(s) for you and your family.
To help you in your decision-making process, the MedicineNet.com Doctors and Pharmacists have provided an easy-to-follow format to help you understand which products may work better for specific conditions and how to choose the products that are most appropriate for your needs.
We recommend the following as an excellent resource when you are uncertain of how the ingredients in common over-the-counter remedies may affect the symptoms you want to treat.
- Acne Home Care
- Pain and Fever Medicines
- Antiemetics
- Asthma
- Athlete's Foot
- Birth Control
- Burns
- Cold/Flu/Allergy
- Corns
- Dandruff
- Diabetic Home Care and Monitoring
- Diarrhea
- Drug Interactions
- Dyspepsia and Heartburn
- Ear Wax
- External Otitis
- Eye Care
- Gas, Flatulence and Bloating
- Hair Loss
- Hemorrhoids and Anal Itching
- Infant Formulas
- Insect Stings and Bites
- Itching
- Lactose Intolerance
- Laxatives for Constipation
- Menstrual Cramps and Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
- Pain Management Over-The-Counter
- Quitting Smoking
- Seborrhea
- Sleep Aids and Stimulants
- Sun Protection & Sunscreens
- Warts
- Weight Loss and Maintenance
- Yeast Vaginitis
- Vitamins and Calcium Supplements
Summary
OTC drugs are available without a prescription, simply "over the counter." Find an easy-to-follow format to help you understand which products may work better for specific conditions and how to choose the products that are most appropriate.
Multimedia: Slideshows, Images & Quizzes
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Jock Itch
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Yeast Infection (in Women and Men)
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Hip Bursitis
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Folliculitis
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Shingles
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Pericoronitis
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Kidney Stones (nephrolithiasis)
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Sciatica
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Acne (Pimples)
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Foot Pain
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Teething
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Iliotibial Band Syndrome
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Jet Lag
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Lower Back Pain
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Common Cold
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Psoriasis
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Atopic Dermatitis
Eczema is a general term for many types dermatitis (skin inflammation). Atopic dermatitis is the most common of the many types of...
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Warts (Common Warts)
Common warts are skin growths causes by the human papillomavirus. There are many types of warts, including plantar warts, common...
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Corns
Corns and calluses are sometimes painful areas of thickened skin that appear between the toes and fingers or on the soles of the...
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Obesity
Obesity is the state of being well above one's normal weight. A person has traditionally been considered to be obese if they are...
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Rosacea
Rosacea is a skin disease that causes redness of the forehead, chin, and lower half of the nose. In addition to inflammation of...
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Itch (Itching or Pruritus)
Itching can be a common problem. Itches can be localized or generalized. There are many causes of itching to include: infection...
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Torn Meniscus
A torn meniscus (knee cartilage) may be caused by suddenly stopping, sharply twisting, or deep squatting or kneeling when lifting...
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Intestinal Gas (Belching, Bloating, Flatulence)
Anal itching is the irritation of the skin at the exit of the rectum, known as the anus, accompanied by the desire to scratch....
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Indigestion (Dyspepsia, Upset Stomach Pain) Symptoms, Relief Remedies, Medicine
Indigestion (dyspepsia) can be caused by diseases or conditions that involve the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, and also by some...
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Raynaud's Phenomenon
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Constipation (Relief, Home Remedies, Treatment Medications)
Constipation is defined medically as fewer than three stools per week and severe constipation as less than one stool per week....
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Knee Pain
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Eye Strain
Eye strain is a symptom caused by looking at something for a long time. Symptoms and signs include redness, light sensitivity,...
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Athlete's Foot
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Pimple vs. Cold Sore
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Peripheral Neuropathy (Causes, Symptoms, Treatment Medications)
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Melasma
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Sjogren's Syndrome
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Corneal Ulcer
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Alopecia Areata
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Croup Sounds, Symptoms, Causes, Remedies, and Treatments
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Head Lice
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Molluscum Contagiosum
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Pinkeye (Conjunctivitis)
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Sty
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Is Ringworm Contagious?
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Blepharitis
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Subconjunctival Hemorrhage
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Cold Sores (Nongenital Herpes Simplex Infections)
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Moles
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Anxiety
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Asthma: Over the Counter Treatment
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DeQuervain's Tenosynovitis
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Tinea Versicolor
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Earwax Removal
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Erectile Dysfunction (ED, Impotence)
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Knee Injury
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Lactose Intolerance
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Chickenpox (Varicella)
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Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV)
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Head Lice vs. Dandruff
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Burns (First Aid)
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Scalp Psoriasis (Psoriasis of the Scalp)
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Sprains and Strains
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Teen Drug Abuse
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Excessive Sweating (Hyperhidrosis)
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Menstrual Cramps
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Vitamins and Calcium Supplements
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Dandruff (Seborrhea)
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Shingles and Pregnancy
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Interstitial Cystitis (IC) and Painful Bladder Syndrome (PBS)
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Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) Injury
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Poison Ivy
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Smoking (How to Quit Smoking)
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Mycobacterium Marinum
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Dandruff vs. Dry Scalp
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Is Dandruff (Seborrhea) Contagious?
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Zika Virus (Zika Fever)
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Cold, Flu, Allergy Treatments
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Braces and Retainers
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Scars
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Insomnia Treatment (Sleep Aids and Stimulants)
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Stretch Marks
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Sunscreen
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Infant Formulas
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Tips for Managing Type 1 and 2 Diabetes at Home
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Bug Bites and Stings
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Heart Attack Prevention
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Insect Sting Allergies
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Treatment & Diagnosis
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- Pharmacy Visit, How To Get The Most Out of Your Visit
- Drugs: The Most Common Medication Errors
- Athlete's Foot: How to Prevent Athlete's Foot
- Are Hives Always Caused by an Allergy?
- Medication Disposal
- Dangers of Mixing Medications
- Hyperhidrosis Treatment
- Drugs: Buying Prescription Drugs Online Safely
- What to Do in a Drug Recall
- Osteoarthritis of the Hands
- Flu: What to Do if You Get the Flu
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Medications & Supplements
Prevention & Wellness
- FDA Warns of Deaths Tied to Tainted Synthetic Pot
- New 'Superlice' Resist Most Over-the-Counter Remedies
- Common Meds and Dementia: How Strong Is the Link?
- America's Rural Elderly Face Barriers to Health Care
- Omega 3 Supplements Don't Help With Depression: Review
- Unapproved Ear Drops Targeted by FDA
- Health Food Stores Often Promote Adult-Only Supplements to Teens
- Health Tip: Taking Care of Your Aging Skin
- New Approaches to Acne Treatment
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- FDA Warns Against Prescription Drugs With High Levels of Acetaminophen
- Glaxo to End Payments to Prescribing Doctors
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- Health Highlights: Aug. 30, 2013
- FDA Sends Warnings to Makers of Illegal Diabetes Treatments
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- Teething Baby? Avoid Benzocaine, FDA Says
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- Defeating Dandruff
- Over-the-Counter Bug Bite Remedies Don't Work: Report
- Bufferin, Excedrin, NoDoz, Gas-X Recalled
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Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
