Over-the-counter

How it is used

Shortened to OTC ('OTC painkillers'). Also used without hyphens as an adverb: 'available over the counter'. In the UK, medicines are grouped as GSL (general sales list), P (pharmacy medicines) and POM (prescription-only medicines). Pharmacists ask about OTC products because they can still interact or cause side effects.

Example sentences

1. Are you taking any over-the-counter medicines or herbal products?

2. Many antihistamines are available over the counter.

Common collocations

• over-the-counter medicine
• buy over the counter
• available over the counter
• OTC painkiller

Related terms

• prescriptionA written or electronic order from a doctor or other authorised prescriber that tells the pharmacist which medicine to supply and how the patient should use it.
• controlled drugA medicine with a risk of misuse or dependence, such as morphine or some sleeping tablets, whose prescribing, storage and records are strictly controlled by law.
• pharmacistA health professional trained in medicines who checks prescriptions, supplies medicines, advises people on using them safely and works with doctors on patients' treatment.
• generic drugA medicine with the same active ingredient, strength, dosage form and effect as an original branded medicine, usually sold after the original's patent has expired.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

• over-the-counter · Medicine

More terms: Regulation and Medication Safety

• brand name
• pharmacovigilance
• marketing authorisation
• bioequivalence
• GMP
• medication error
• formulary