Fourth Grade
Worksheets
Over the Counter Medicines
Do you have a headache, a cough, or a wart? There is probably an OTC to help you. An over the counter (OTC) medicine is sometimes called a non-prescription medicine. This is because you don't have to have a note from your doctor to get it. You can buy it at a drug store or a chain store.
There are many kinds of over the counter drugs. You see ads for them on TV all the time. There are medicines that help you sleep and ones that will help you stay awake. There are pain relievers and cold remedies. There are non-prescription medicines for almost every part of your body. Some are swallowed, and some are put on your skin.
Probably the most common non-prescription drugs are pain relievers. These are things like aspirin, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen. They will help you if you have a headache, sore muscles, or aching joints. These drugs can also help reduce a fever.
Cold remedies are also popular. There are drugs to help a stuffy nose. There are some that make your nose stop running. Some will help you stop coughing. Others will help to loosen the mucus in your chest. Sometimes several medicines are combined into one pill or liquid. They help when you have several symptoms.
One thing these OTC drugs all have in common is a label. It is important to read the label carefully before you take any medicine. It has important information on it.
