OTC
Meaning of OTC: OTC identifies a medicine or health product available without a prescription, based on an established safety profile suitable for self-selection and use.
Definition of OTC
OTC stands for over the counter, describing a medicine or health product that can be purchased without a prescription. Examples of OTC medications include common pain relievers such as acetaminophen and aspirin, as well as many cold, allergy, and digestive remedies.
OTC products are regulated differently from prescription medications, generally because they are considered to have a safety and effectiveness profile suitable for a person to select and use appropriately based on labeled directions, without needing a clinician to evaluate the specific situation first.
The OTC category also extends beyond medications to certain diagnostic products, such as home pregnancy tests and blood glucose monitors, that a person can use directly. OTC status can change over time, as some medications that once required a prescription have since become available OTC, and the reverse can also occur.
Also known as
Used in a sentence
The patient reported taking an OTC pain reliever in addition to prescribed medication.
Good to know
OTC status reflects a regulatory judgment about a product's safety profile for general use rather than a statement that a product carries no risk or possible interaction with other medications.