How do over the counter OTC drugs and prescription drugs differ?

The term over-the-counter (OTC) refers to a medication that can be purchased without a medical prescription. In contrast, prescription drugs require a prescription from a doctor or other health care professional and should only be used by the prescribed individual.

How does the purchase of over the counter medicine differ from the purchase of prescription medicine?

OTC medications are not intended for a specific individual, although depending on the medication, such as creams, eye drops or nasal sprays, the user may want to be the only consumer of the medication. OTC drugs are monitored by the FDA, but it is not as strict as the process prescription drugs must go through.

Are over the counter drugs cheaper than prescription drugs?

Q: Is it cheaper to buy a medication over-the-counter? A: Not always. OTC medications are generally not covered by health insurance plans and can be expensive. It may be easier to buy OTC medication if you do not have insurance that covers prescriptions.

Why are some drugs OTC while others are prescription only?

The FDA regulates OTC drugs through a drug monograph containing acceptable ingredients, doses, formulations and labeling requirements. The prescription classification is in place to minimize the risk of patients misusing habit-forming or dangerous drugs, including drugs for difficult-to-diagnose medical conditions.

Why are some medicines prescription only?

In general, prescription-only medicines are used for conditions that are best diagnosed and managed by health professionals. Examples of prescription-only medicines include virtually all antibiotics and medicines for treating high blood pressure.

Where does over-the-counter drugs come from?

Eighty percent of active ingredients in America’s pharmaceutical and OTC drugs — you know, the stuff that actually makes your medicine work — come from China and India, according to Rosemary Gibson and Janardan Prasad Singh, authors of the new book China RX: Exposing the Risks of America’s Dependence on China for …

Is over-the-counter Claritin the same as prescription?

There is no difference in the active ingredient between prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) loratadine products. Loratadine is available at the same strength OTC and prescription in most states. Oregon is the only state that will not allow certain forms of loratadine to be sold over-the-counter.

Is over-the-counter Prevacid the same as prescription?

Prevacid 24HR (OTC) Prevacid is available by prescription or over-the-counter (OTC). Prevacid 24HR is the non-prescription version. Studies have found that Prevacid 24HR often works as well as prescription Prevacid.

What is the differences between controlled drug prescription and the other drugs prescription?

For example, most blood pressure and cholesterol medications, diabetes medications (including insulin), asthma inhalers, and antibiotics are all non-controlled medications. Controlled substances are medications that can cause physical and mental dependence, and have restrictions on how they can be filled and refilled.

How can you tell the difference between generic and branded medicines?

While the pills you receive at the pharmacy counter may look slightly different from the brand, generic medicines work the same as costlier brand-name products. They have the same active ingredients, and the manufacturing and packaging must pass the same quality standards.