Over the Counter vs. Prescription Medications Medications are used to treat a particular medical condition. They can be classified into the two broad categories below: 1. Prescription-only (Rx), and 2. Over-the-counter (OTC) Here, we have outlined in brief the key differences between an OTC medication and a prescription medication. OTC medications Do not require a doctor’s prescription Are purchased off-the-shelf in retail stores or online Are regulated by FDA through OTC drug monographs that cover acceptable ingredients, doses, formulations and labeling. Manufacturers of OTC drugs are required to develop the medication based on a specific formula with regard to the strength of the drug and need to have FDA approved labeling. OTC medications are usually regulated as per their active pharmaceutical ingredient (API), rather than the final product. OTC medications usually have more general effects and have rather milder side effects.
OTC Medications are Used to Treat Common Illness These medications can be used to treat the conditions that are considered easy to self-diagnose, such as cold, cough, headache, heart burn, and diarrhea. These medications, can be purchased from a pharmacy, retail store, grocery store or supermarket. OTC medications tend to be produced for masses to consume safely and enable multiple people in a household to use them. Like Ibuprofen can be used for headache, fever and menstrual cramps. When you may need prescription medication? Though OTC medications are available without a prescription, they can cause drug interactions with other prescription medications you are taking, so you should mention to your prescriber any OTC medications that you are taking. Generally, OTC medications are available to everybody, while the prescription medication is specific to an individual patient. For example, Tylenol is an OTC medication that you can use for a regular headache, but if your symptoms are severe or worrying, you need to approach your doctor for a prescription medication. Patient education is important for safe and effective use of OTC medications. Prescription medications Prescription medications are used for the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of specific diseases and illnesses. Prescription medications are:
Prescribed by a medical practitioner Intended for use only for the patient prescribed Must be filled and dispensed by a licensed pharmacist Regulated by the FDA through the New Drug Application (NDA) process that includes analysis of animal and human data, and how the drug behaves in the body. Prescription medication can only be marketed by the sponsor of NDA; other manufacturers need to submit a separate NDA to the US Food and Drug Administration to market a prescription drug. Prescription medications are engineered to target a specific health condition. It must pass through clinical trial phases and be monitored for safety and side effects even after it has been made available in the market. Prescription medications are typically stronger than OTC ones, and can only be dispensed by a licensed pharmacist.