What kind of medicine is OTC?
In recent years, with the improvement of health awareness, OTC (over-the-counter drugs) have become an indispensable part of people's daily life. This article will introduce in detail the definition, classification, common drugs and usage precautions of OTC, and combine it with the hot topics on the Internet in the past 10 days to help readers better understand OTC drugs.
1. Definition of OTC

OTC (Over The Counter) refers to medicines that can be purchased in pharmacies or supermarkets without a doctor's prescription. This type of medicine is usually used to treat minor illnesses or symptoms, such as colds, headaches, stomachaches, etc. OTC pharmaceuticals are widely used worldwide due to their safety and convenience.
2. Classification of OTC drugs
Based on the ingredients and uses of the drugs, OTC drugs can be divided into the following categories:
| Category | Common medicines | Main purpose |
|---|---|---|
| cold medicine | Isatis root, Ganmaoling | Relieve cold symptoms |
| painkillers | Ibuprofen, acetaminophen | Relieve headaches and muscle pain |
| Digestive medicine | Jianweixiaoshi tablets, aluminum magnesium carbonate | Relieve stomach pain and indigestion |
| External medicine | Band-Aid, erythromycin ointment | Treat minor injuries or skin problems |
3. Popular OTC drug topics in the past 10 days
According to the search data on the entire Internet, the following are the recent hot topics about OTC drugs:
| topic | heat index | Main discussion content |
|---|---|---|
| Ibuprofen out of stock | 85% | Ibuprofen supply is tight in some areas, causing concern |
| Traditional Chinese medicine OTC is popular | 78% | OTC sales of traditional Chinese medicines such as Isatis root and Lianhua Qingwen increased |
| OTC medication safety for children | 72% | Parents' concerns about children's medication dosage and side effects |
| OTC drug price fluctuations | 65% | Prices of some OTC drugs have increased, leading to strong consumer feedback |
4. Precautions when using OTC drugs
Although OTC drugs are relatively safe, you still need to pay attention to the following points when using them:
1.Read the instructions: Make sure you understand the indications, usage, dosage and possible side effects of the medicine.
2.avoid abuse: Long-term or excessive use of certain OTC drugs may lead to dependence or other health problems.
3.Use with caution for special groups: Pregnant women, children, the elderly and other groups should use it under the guidance of a doctor.
4.Be aware of drug interactions: When taking multiple drugs at the same time, you need to consult a pharmacist to avoid adverse reactions.
5. Conclusion
OTC drugs provide convenience for daily health management, but rational use is the key. Through the structured data and analysis of this article, I hope readers can choose and use OTC drugs more scientifically to protect the health of themselves and their families.
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