What is the most commonly used OTC?

Asked by: Leonel Murphy  |  Last update: February 26, 2025
Score: 5/5 (66 votes)

WHAT IS THE MOST COMMONLY USED OTC MEDICATION? The most commonly used over-the-counter medications include: Pain relievers such as acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen. Medicines for heartburn and indigestion such as omeprazole, lansoprazole, cimetidine, and aluminum hydroxide.

What is the most common OTC medication used by elderly people?

Of the estimated 2.2 million older adults who are at risk of a major adverse drug event (ADE), more than 50% of these interactions involve an OTC medication. Four of the 10 most frequently used drugs are available OTC. They are: ibuprofen, aspirin, acetaminophen, and diphenhydramine.

What is the #1 most prescribed drug?

The most prescribed drug in America is atorvastatin. The most common brand name for atorvastatin is Lipitor. What is atorvastatin used for? Atorvastatin is used to treat high cholesterol, which in turn helps prevent heart disease and symptoms of heart disease such as heart attack and stroke.

What are OTC drugs give its types and common indications?

Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines are those that can be sold directly to people without a prescription. OTC medicines treat a variety of illnesses and their symptoms including pain, coughs and colds, diarrhea, constipation, acne, and others.

What is the most used drug in America?

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), marijuana is the most used drug in the United States. Legalization for medical and recreational use at state levels contributes to this. Prescription drugs: Pain relievers represent some of the most popular prescription-type drugs.

Commonly Used Medicines - OTC Medicines || Everyone Needs To Know

43 related questions found

Is ibuprofen an OTC drug?

In addition, ibuprofen can be used to treat fever, menstrual cramps, and other conditions as determined by your doctor . This medicine is available both over-the-counter (OTC) and with your doctor's prescription . This product is available in the following dosage forms: Tablet, Chewable.

Which OTC is most common?

The 10 most common over-the-counter medicines used worldwide include:
  • Acetaminophen.
  • Ibuprofen.
  • Fexofenadine.
  • Loratadine.
  • Hydrocortisone creams.
  • Dextromethorphan.
  • Pseudoephedrine.
  • Bismuth subsalicylate.

What are the illegal drugs?

Illegal drugs are those that are not prescribed by a doctor or bought at a drugstore. They are sometimes called "street drugs." Some examples include heroin (also called smack, junk, or dope), cocaine (coke or crack), PCP, ecstasy (MDMA), Rohypnol (roofies), and meth (crank or speed).

What are the new OTC medications in 2024?

Recent additions include Narcan, an opioid overdose reversal nasal spray available since 2023, and Opill, the first FDA-approved over-the-counter oral contraceptive in the U.S., expected to be available in 2024.

What is gabapentin used for?

Gabapentin is used to treat epilepsy. It's also taken for nerve pain, which can be caused by different conditions, including diabetes and shingles. Nerve pain can also happen after an injury. In epilepsy, it's thought that gabapentin stops seizures by reducing the abnormal electrical activity in the brain.

What 3 prescription drugs are most commonly abused?

Opioids (such as OxyContin and Vicodin), central nervous system depressants (such as Xanax and Valium), and stimulants (such as Concerta and Adderall) are the most commonly abused prescription drugs.

What is the number 1 selling drug in the world?

Top drugs based on projected 2024 global sales

Keytruda is projected to be the top-ranked drug worldwide based on sales in 2024, with more than 27 billion U.S. dollars.

What are 5 drugs to avoid in the elderly?

  • factors3 Melatonin4. Cardiovascular. ...
  • blockers. Rhythm control5 dofetilide (Tikosyn), ...
  • (Rhythmol) Heart failure6 beta blocker, ACEIb, ARBc, ...
  • Nifedipine extended release (Procardia XL)7. Depression. ...
  • comparable to placebo. ...
  • venlafaxine, duloxetine, buspirone (Buspar) ...
  • pregabalin (Lyrica) ...
  • (Topamax)

What is OTC for seniors?

What is covered under the OTC card? Covered items may include over-the-counter medicines like pain relievers and allergy medication, first aid supplies, vitamins and supplements, dental care products, diabetic supplies, incontinence products and other health-related items.

What are the worst blood pressure drugs to take?

4 worst blood pressure drugs
  • Beta-Blockers: Limited Efficacy and High Adverse Effects. Efficacy Concerns. ...
  • High-Dose Thiazides: Increased Adverse Effects Without Mortality Benefit. Efficacy Concerns. ...
  • Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs): Blood Pressure Elevation. ...
  • Antidepressants: Variable Impact on Blood Pressure.

What America's most popular drug has a puzzling side effect?

We Finally Know Why. The reason statins can make your muscles sore or weak was unclear—until scientists accidentally stumbled upon an answer. Statins, one of the most extensively studied drugs on the planet, taken by tens of millions of Americans alone, have long had a perplexing side effect.

What is the world's most legal drug?

Caffeine-world's most widely consumed legal, unregulated psychoactive drug.

Which relieves pain and often induces sleep?

Opioid Analgesics. “Opioid” is a generic term for natural or synthetic substances that bind to specific opioid receptors in the central nervous system (CNS), producing an agonist action. Opioids are also called narcotics—a term originally used to refer to any psychoactive substance that induces sleep.

What drugs do not require a prescription?

Below, we'll discuss 11 common medications that you can get OTC.
  • Allergy pills, eye drops, and nasal sprays. ...
  • Dry eye drops, gels, and ointments. ...
  • OTC pain reliever pills, patches, creams, and gels. ...
  • Fever reducers. ...
  • Antacids and acid reducers. ...
  • Cough and sore throat pills, syrups, and lozenges. ...
  • Motion sickness pills.

What is the most common OTC derivative?

Common OTC derivatives include swaps, forward rate agreements, and options. The OTC derivative market is less regulated with respect to disclosure of information between the parties than the centrally-cleared and exchange-traded markets.

What is Advil used for?

Advil is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Ibuprofen works by reducing hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body. Advil is used to reduce fever and treat pain or inflammation caused by many conditions such as headache, toothache, back pain, arthritis, menstrual cramps, or minor injury.

What is the strongest pain killer?

Opiates are the strongest pain killers we are able to prescribe and can be very effective at treating acute, severe pain caused by injury, surgery or cancer pain. However the role of opiates in chronic pain (pain lasting a long period of time) is less clear. For most people opiates are NOT effective for chronic pain.

What is hydrocodone used for?

Hydrocodone is an antitussive (cough suppressant) and narcotic analgesic agent for the treatment of moderate to moderately severe pain. Studies indicate that hydrocodone is as effective, or more effective, than codeine for cough suppression and nearly equipotent to morphine for pain relief.

What is 800mg of ibuprofen used for?

Ibuprofen is used to relieve pain from various conditions such as headache, dental pain, menstrual cramps, muscle aches, or arthritis. It is also used to reduce fever and to relieve minor aches and pain due to the common cold or flu. Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).