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The leading makers of over-the-counter medicines have a number of educational materials available at no cost to consumers. The materials below provide information on the safe use of over-the-counter medicines and encourage consumers to talk over questions with their healthcare professionals. 

Browse, download, or order our free educational brochures. Note that some of the resources below are available for download only.

To order any publications, you must remember to:

  1. Fill in the number of publications you want to order in the box marked "Quantity." (Unless otherwise noted, publications are available in quantities up to 100.)
  2. Click on "order now" and continue to fill out your contact information.
OTC Medicines: What's Right for You?/¿Cuál es adecuado para usted?

This bilingual publication, developed by the Consumer Healthcare Products Association and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, offers advice for both English- and Spanish-speaking consumers on a variety of self-care issues, including specific information on the importance of reading OTC medicine labels, avoiding drug interactions, using OTCs while pregnant or nursing, treating children with OTCs, using child-resistant packaging, and being alert to signs of product tampering.
Preventing Teen Cough Medicine Abuse: A Parent's Guide

Developed with the Partnership for a Drug-Free America, this brochure provides parents with important information to help them prevent their teenagers from intentionally misusing otherwise safe and effective over-the-counter medicines. The guide also includes a list of signs that will help parents recognize if their teen is using drugs, as well tips for parents to prevent their teens from abusing drugs in the first place.
Guia para los padres

Developed with the Partnership for a Drug-Free America, this brochure provides parents with important information to help them prevent their teenagers from intentionally misusing otherwise safe and effective over-the-counter medicines. The guide also includes a list of signs that will help parents recognize if their teen is using drugs, as well tips for parents to prevent their teens from abusing drugs in the first place (en español).
Over-the-Counter Medicines: Keeping You and Your Family Healthy

This handy guide provides women the information they need to know about over-the-counter medicines. It is packed with information, including considerations when medicating children, tips for pregnant and nursing mothers, and guidelines for caring for an aging relative who may be taking more than one medicine.
Active Ingredients for a Healthy Lifestyle

Designed especially for mature adults looking to safeguard against drug interactions, this pamphlet contains valuable information about the OTC Drug Facts label as well as provides seven tips for safe OTC medicine use.
My Medicines

My Medicines is a pocket-sized guide providing important tips for taking medications correctly, as well as ample room for consumers or their caregivers to list the medicines they take, dosage information, and doctors' contact details. The publication was developed by OTCsafety.org and the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Family Self-Care Handbook

OTCsafety.org and the National Women's Health Resource Center (NWHRC) joined to provide consumers with a colorful 24-page guide loaded with information for family members of all ages, from infants to senior citizens. The handbook includes a personal and family health record, where parents can keep track of basic health information such as blood type, allergies, chronic conditions and medications, as well as space to list emergency contacts.
Pregnancy Planner: Your Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy

OTCsafety.org and the National Women's Health Resource Center (NWHRC) offer women this valuable pregnancy planner, Your Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy. The booklet includes information about every stage of pregnancy, and provides a monthly calendar to help keep track of important information and appointments.
Kids Aren't Just Small Adults

Information developed by the Consumer Healthcare Products Association and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration about giving over-the-counter medicines to children.
Los niños no son simplemente adultos pequeños

Information developed by the Consumer Healthcare Products Association and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration about giving over-the-counter medicines to children en español.
The New Over-the-Counter Medicine Label...Take a Look!

CHPA partnered with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to provide Americans with information on the new over-the-counter (OTC) medicine label. This pamphlet includes sections on the importance of reading and following an OTC product’s label, the use of tamper-evident packaging as an added safety feature in packaging, and an illustration of what a new label looks like.
Stop...Look! Look Again!!

Explains how consumers can protect themselves against tampering by checking the package before they buy a nonprescription medicine and by checking the medicine itself before they take it. Developed with the Food and Drug Administration.
Giving Oral OTC Cough and Cold Medicines to Children

Millions of American parents turn to over-the-counter, or OTC, cough and cold medicines when treating their children’s symptoms. These OTC medicines have been relied upon by families for generations and are safe and effective when they are used correctly. When given as directed, OTC cough and cold medicines help treat your child’s symptoms. But like all medicines, they have risks if misused.
Safety Comes First

Millions of American parents turn to over-the-counter, or OTC, cough and cold medicines when treating their children’s symptoms. These OTC medicines have been relied upon by families for generations and are safe and effective when they’re used correctly. When given as directed, OTC cough and cold medicines help treat your child’s symptoms. But like all medicines, they have risks if misused.