Skip to main content
          Skip to FDA Search
          Skip to in this section menu
          Skip to footer links


U.S. flagAn official website of the United States government

					Here’s how you know
          			Dot gov**The .gov means it’s official.**Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you're on a federal government site.
							      SSL**The site is secure.** The **https://** ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely. 
			U.S. Food and Drug Administration
				
        Search
            Menu
							
						Search FDA
									
									Submit search 
		Featured
							Contact FDA
	                FDA Guidance Documents
	                Recalls, Market Withdrawals and Safety Alerts
	                Press Announcements
	                Warning Letters
	                Advisory Committees
	                En Español

					Products
            Food
							Drugs
							Medical Devices
							Radiation-Emitting Products
							Vaccines, Blood, and Biologics
							Animal and Veterinary
							Cosmetics
							Tobacco ProductsTopics
            About FDA
							Combination Products
							Regulatory Information
							Safety
							Emergency Preparedness
							International Programs
							News and Events
							Training and Continuing Education
							Inspections and Compliance
							Science and ResearchInformation For
            Consumers
	            Patients
	            Industry
	            Health Professionals
	            Federal, State and Local Officials 
 In this section:

                Understanding Over-the-Counter Medicines

Understanding Over-the-Counter Medicines

                        Medicines in My Home (MIMH)


                        Choosing the Right Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medicine
          Safe Daily Use of Aspirin
          Safe Use of Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers and Fever Reducers
          The Over-the-Counter Medicine Label
          Tips For Parents about the safe use of over-the-counter (OTC) medicine Home
          Drugs
          Resources | Drugs
          Information for Consumers and Patients | Drugs
          Buying & Using Medicine Safely
          Understanding Over-the-Counter Medicines
          Educational Resources: Understanding Over-the-Counter MedicineUnderstanding Over-the-Counter Medicines Educational Resources: Understanding Over-the-Counter Medicine
  
  	
    Share
    Post
    Linkedin

    Email
    PrintThese educational materials provide information on using over-the-counter (OTC) medicine, including the safe use of daily aspirin therapy, tips for parents, and the safe use of OTC pain relievers and fever reducers. They are intended for use by educators, health care professionals, and consumers.

For additional materials on OTC pain relievers and fever reducers, please see Using Acetaminophen and Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs Safely.

Most materials are available in PDF format for immediate downloading or printing.

Brochures
	Articles
	Fact Sheet
	Checklists
	Print Public Service Announcements
	Internet Public Service Announcement Banners
	Audio Public Service Announcements
	Television Public Service AnnouncementsBrochures

people shopping in pharmacy
			
			Over the Counter Medicines: What**The New Over-the-Counter Medicine Label: Take a Look**

			(Printed size 3.88" x 9"; 8 panel, English; parts of the "Drug Facts" label for over-the counter medicine explained in detail.)

			HTML
			
			**Over-the-Counter Medicines: What's Right for You?**

			(Printed size 4.25" x 8.5"; 32 pages; English and Spanish; choosing OTCs, reading labels, and avoiding drug interactions and tampering. Includes safe use of OTCs for children, while pregnant and breast feeding.)

			HTML
				PDF - 446KB*En Español*

			**Medicamentos sin receta: ¿Cual es adecuado para usted?**

			HTML
				PDF - 436KBAspirin for Reducing Your Risk of Heart Attack and Stroke: KNOW THE FACTS - abstract brochure cover
			thumbnail of psa - kids aren
			[No image available]**Aspirin for Reducing Your Risk of Heart Attack and Stroke: Know the Facts.**
			(Printed size 4.25" x 8.5"; 6 panel; English; importance of working with health professionals when choosing and using aspirin to reduce risk of heart attack and stroke. Includes 4 facts about aspirin.)

			HTML
				PDF - 2MB
			**Kids Aren't Just Small Adults**

			(Printed size 3.75"x 8.5"; 6 panel; English and Spanish; Advice for parents or caregivers on giving a child an over-the-counter medicine.)

			HTML
				PDF - 552KB*En Español:***Los Niños No Son Simplements Adultos Pequeños**

			HTML
				PDF - 199KB
			**Got a Sick Kid? Don't Guess. Read the Label.**

			(10 ways to make sure you give nonprescription medicine to children in the right way in the right amount; includes an immunization schedule; created in cooperation with the Council for Family Health).

			HTML*En Español:***¿Está enfermo uno de sus hijos?**

			HTML

Articles

thumbnail of use caution with pain relievers article
			thumbnail of article (health hints: use caution with pain relievers)**Health Bulletin: Use Caution with Pain Relievers**

			(Printed size 4" x 6.5"; black and white; English; the importance of knowing how to safely use acetaminophen – a common active ingredient in many other-the-counter and prescription pain relievers and fever reducers.)

			HTML
				PDF - 116KB
			**Health Hints: Use Caution with Pain Relievers**

			(Printed size 4" x 7.75"; black and white; English; the importance of knowing active ingredients and directions for OTC pain relievers and all over-the-counter medicine.)

			HTML
				PDF - 447KB

Fact Sheet
	pill on tongue
			**Before Using Aspirin to Lower Your Risk of Heart Attack or Stroke, Here is What You Should Know**

			(Printed size 8" x 11 1⁄2"; 2 sided; black and white; English; risks of daily aspirin use and why it should only be used when prescribed and with a health professional's guidance and directions.)

			HTML
				PDF - 37KB

Checklists

Checklist for Choosing Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medicine for Adults (PDF - 62KB)
	Checklist for Choosing Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medicine for Children (PDF - 65KB)Print Public Service Announcements

(Printed sizes vary; 4-color and black and white; English. Other sizes available upon request.)

man reading drug facts label
			over-the-counter drug label
			2 medicine bottles with arrows pointing to each other**All over-the-counter medicines have one thing in common. Simplicity.**

			HTML
				PDF - 7MB
			**What's on the Label?**

			PDF - 547KB
			**Don't Take ME with HIM**

			HTML
				PDF - 3MBhand holding pills
			different medicines
			surgeon general**You know what’s in your medicine cabinet, but do you know what's in your medicines?**

			HTML
				PDF - 2MB
			**These medicines all have one thing in common . . . the same active ingredient.**

			HTML
				PDF - 3MB
			**This may be the most important prescription I've ever written.**

			HTML
				PDF - 1.3MBDriving? Check the Medicine Label to Make Sure You're Able.
			Driving? Check the Medicine Label to Make Sure You're Able
			OTC_why_thumb**Driving? Check the Medicine Label to Make Sure You're Able.**

			HTML
				PDF - 6MB
			**Driving? Check ALL of Your Medicine Labels Before You Hit the Road**.

			HTML
				PDF - 5MB
			**Why is it important to know that all these medicines contain acetaminophen?**

			HTML
				PDF - 8MBOTC_seriously_thumb
			human torso showing inside organs
			pill on tongue**The best way to take your over-the-counter pain reliever? Seriously.**

			HTML
				PDF - 3MB
			**Exceeding the Recommended Dosage Can Do More Than Wipe Out Your Pain. Just Ask Your Major Organs.**

			HTML
				PDF - 43MB*En Español:*

			**Exceder La Dosis Recomendada Puede Eliminar Más Que El Dolor Que Usted Padece. Sólo Pregúntele A Sus Órganos Principales.**

			HTML
				PDF - 42MB
			**Are You Using Aspirin Daily? You Should Talk to Your Doctor First.**

			HTML
				PDF - 1MBchildren
			children on seesaw
			scale and silhouette of a child**What Are You Weighting For?**

			HTML
				PDF - 477KB
			**Do You Know Your Child's Weight?**

			HTML
				PDF - 316KB
			**Does Size Really Matter?**

			HTML
				PDF - 370KB

Internet Public Service Announcement Banners

(Sizes vary; 4-color; English; can be used on Web sites and linked to the pertinent "Consumer Education" Web page. Other sizes may be available upon request.)

120x240_thumb
			acetaminophen2
			Banner with text**Acetaminophen - Too much of this pain reliever can damage your liver. Read the label.**

			JPG (120 x 240 pixels, for Web use)
				JPG (120 x 600 pixels, for Web use)FDA suggests that this banner graphic link to the Safe Use of Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers (analgesics) and Fever Reducers (antipyretics) Web page or the Educational Resources: Over-the-Counter Medicine Web page.
			**Knock out pain, not your liver.**

			JPG (140 x 140 pixels, for Web use)FDA suggests that this banner graphic link to the Safe Use of Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers (analgesics) and Fever Reducers (antipyretics) Web page or the Educational Resources: Over-the-Counter Medicine Web page.
			**Driving? Before You Hit the Road, Check the Medicine Label to Make Sure You're Able.**

			JPG (728 x 90 pixels, for Web use)FDA suggests that the banner graphic link to the Driving When You Are Taking Medications brochure.

Audio Public Service Announcements

**Acetaminophen - Read the Label**

The following are radio public service announcements for the safe use of acetaminophen, a common over-the-counter and prescription pain reliever and fever reducer. The audio files – one 20-second spot and one 30-second spot – are in mp3 format; the transcripts are in PDF format.

Title
			Run Time
			File Size
			TranscriptAcetaminophen - Read the Label
			00:00:20
			316KB
			PDF - 13KBAcetaminophen - Read the Label
			00:00:30
			460KB
			PDF - 11KB

**The New Label - It's Clearly Better**

Transcripts of two 30-second, two 20-second, one 15-second, and one 10-second live-read announcements.

Television Public Service Announcements

**Medicines Don't Mix**

30-second television spot; mpg format, compressed as a zip file.

Script
	TV Spot (zip file - 5MB)

ResourcesForYou

Educational Resources
	
	Using Acetaminophen and Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs Safely

                                                                                  Content current as of:
      03/06/2018Understanding Over-the-Counter Medicines

          
                        Medicines in My Home (MIMH)


                        Choosing the Right Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medicine
          Safe Daily Use of Aspirin
          Safe Use of Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers and Fever Reducers
          The Over-the-Counter Medicine Label
          Tips For Parents about the safe use of over-the-counter (OTC) medicine
 
 Footer Links
    FDA Archive
          About FDA
          Accessibility
      Visitor Information
          Website Policies / Privacy
          No FEAR Act
          Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
      FOIA
          HHS.gov
          USA.gov
    Contact FDA
      Follow FDA on Facebook
      Follow FDA on X
      Follow FDA on Instagram
      Follow FDA on LinkedIn
      View FDA videos on YouTube
      Subscribe to FDA RSS feeds
    FDA Homepage
    Contact Number
      1-888-INFO-FDA (1-888-463-6332) Back toTop