OTC Medications

What’s on the Label?

All non-prescription, over the counter (OTC) medicine labels have usage and warning information so consumers can properly choose and use the products. The label contains the following information:

• Active Ingredients: The therapeutic substance and the amount of active ingredient per unit
• Uses: Symptoms or disease the product will treat or prevent.
• Warnings: When not to use the product, conditions that may require advice from a doctor before taking the product, possible interactions or side effects, when to stop taking the product and contact a doctor, etc.
• Inactive ingredients: Substances such as colors, filers or flavors
• Purpose: Product action or category (such as antihistamine, antacid or cough suppressant)
• Directions: Specific age categories, how much to take, how to take, how often and how long to take
• Other Information: How to store the product properly and required information about certain ingredients

Note: Drug Facts labeling requirements do not apply to dietary supplements, which are regulated as food products and are labeled with a Supplement Facts panel.

– Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration