Can Low Awareness about OTC Medicines Harm You?

OTC medicines refer to medicines that are available over the counter at pharmacies. They do not require a prescription. India has an OTC market of over 4 billion dollars. However, in spite of that staggering number, there are no regulatory guidelines in place. As a result, consumers must fend for themselves while buying OTC drugs. While this may not seem very bad, consider this: 75% of the world’s fake drugs are manufactured and distributed within India! As a consumer with low awareness about OTC medicines, you could be at-risk of consuming dangerous fake medication that comes with only harmful side effects and no merits whatsoever! To prevent this, and to help you make the most of OTC medicines, let us look at the following guidelines that can help you:

Read the label

If you are unsure about the over the counter medicine you are about to purchase, start by reading the label. The label contains helpful information regarding the symptoms of the over the counter medication in question. Furthermore, the label also contains information regarding the brand and manufacturer of the product, which can help you weed out fake medicines. Reading the label can also help you be more cognizant of its potential side effects. You can also avoid taking OTC medicines that contain your known allergens in their ingredients.

Ask before you buy OTC Medicines!

Pharmacists are qualified professionals who can guide you if you are facing doubts. While they are not doctors and you should not seek treatment advice from them, you can certainly describe your symptoms so that they can help you identify the right OTC product for your needs. They can also help you narrow down options that cure only one symptom at a time, which can be helpful for minor ailments. For instance, if you have a minor cold, but no other symptoms, there is no point in taking medication that fights cold, cough, and fever all at once. You may end up harming yourself due to the side effects of the stronger medicines that your body does not need! Just take an OTC medicine that targets the cold!

Find out all the pertaining information

Pharmacists generally know how their consumers react to certain OTCs and can guide you accordingly. Of course, again, do not replace their advice with the advice of a doctor. You can use their advice to find out whether a certain brand or drug has higher chances of not suiting you. For instance, many women take pills for their menstrual cramps. However, the pain level that women experience during their periods varies from individual to individual. By just asking whether a certain OTC drug is strong enough for your needs, you can find out whether it is right for you.

Gain information on generic medicines

Generic medicines are medicines that cure ailments the same way branded medications do. This is because they have the same active ingredient as your branded medicine. Like other medicines, they are FDA approved and safe to consume. The only difference is that the brand name is different. Due to multiple factors such as manufacturing, not requiring additional clinical trials (as the branded pharmaceuticals have already conducted them) and marketing costs, generic medicines tend to be far cheaper than branded ones. You can save up anywhere between 25-75% of your costs on medicines with them. While speaking to your pharmacists or doctor, enquire about generic medicines that can help negate your illness.

Follow the directions of your OTC Drug

OTC drugs come with their own directions that you must follow. These directions include information about how to consume the medicine correctly, what dosage you should use, what you should avoid eating or drinking while taking the medicine, and so on. They also include information about the age groups that the medicine is appropriate for. If you pay attention to this information, you can make the most of your OTC medicines.

Voice suspicions, if any

If you are unsure about an OTC drug, you can certainly voice your suspicions about the same. Your pharmacist can examine the product to rule out any fake medicine or any other issue that might be alerting you to the fact that something is not quite right. Fake medicines look like the brands you generally turn to, so this can be a challenge. A great way to avoid this is to source your medicines through online pharmacies that meticulously perform the required quality checks. OTC medicines also include supplements. Taking supplements is a great way to ensure that your body gets its daily-required nutritional intake, which can then ensure great health. When buying any OTC drugs, keep in mind the factors listed above so that you do not accidentally put yourself in harm’s way! [av_promobox button='yes' label='Order Medicines on MediBuddy' link='https://www.medibuddy.in/?utm_source=blog_cta&utm_medium=blog' link_target='' color='blue' custom_bg='#f00' custom_font='#ffffff' size='large' icon_select='no' icon='ue800' font='entypo-fontello'] Looking for genuine medicines which are delivered to your doorstep? Use
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