Over-the-counter (OTC) ingredient names can sound confusing. To help you find the ingredients that can best help treat you or a loved one’s symptoms, we have provided some examples of common symptoms and some of the OTC active ingredients that treat them.

Also included in the list are a few helpful tips to keep in mind when using certain products. The list is not comprehensive and should not replace the instructions on medicine labels or of a healthcare professional, and is provided for informational purposes only.

Choose a Symptom:

• Allergies
• Common Cold/Flu
• Congestion, Runny nose and Sinus Pressure
• Cough
• Fever
• Headaches and Minor Aches and Pains
• Heartburn, Acid indigestion, or Upset Stomach
• Multi-Symptom Products

Allergies
Allergy medicines are known as antihistamines

Oral active ingredients include: brompheniramine, cetirizine, chlorpheniramine, diphenhydramine, doxylamine, and loratadine.

Special Tips:

• Some antihistamines can cause drowsiness, so read the label and exercise caution, especially when considering whether to drive or not.

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Common Cold/Flu

Special Tips:

• Understand that each of the OTC active ingredients treats a specific common cold symptom, such as fever, runny nose, or cough.
• Select and use products that treat only the symptoms you have, and get plenty of rest, drink plenty of fluids, and wash your hands often.
• Many cold and flu products treat a range of symptoms and contain more than one active ingredient. Be especially mindful of active ingredients when taking these multi-symptom or combination products to be sure you do not take more than one medicine with any of the same active ingredient.

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Congestion, Runny Nose, and Sinus Pressure
OTCs used for congestion are called nasal decongestants

Oral nasal decongestants include phenylephrine and pseudoephedrine.
Topical nasal decongestants include phenylephrine, oxymetazoline, and xylometazoline.  

Special Tips:

• People with heart disease or high blood pressure need to read labels carefully and talk to their doctor or pharmacist before taking decongestants.
• Do not use topical nasal decongestants (nasal sprays or gels) for more than 3 days, becuase frequent or prolonged use may cause nasal congestion to recur or worsen.
• Talk to your doctore before using an oral nasal decongestant if you are taking a prescription drug for treating depression, or psychiatric or emotional conditions. Taking an oral nasal decongestant can lead to a dangerous drug interaction if you art taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) for one of these conditions.

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Cough
There are different types of coughs and different types of cough medicines. These can be called antitussives, cough suppressants, or expectorants.

Oral active ingredients include dextromethorphan, diphenhydramine, and guaifenesin.

Topical active ingredients include camphor and menthol.

Tips:

• Cough medicines may contain additional active ingredients to treat more than just cough; be sure to read the label carefully.
• Drink plenty of fluids—unless a doctor tells you not to—while taking products containing guaifenesin.
• Dextromethorphan sometimes is abused by young people, so be aware of the possibility for abuse if you have a teen in the house. More information is available at www.StopMedicineAbuse.org.

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Fever
These medicines are called fever reducers.

Active ingredients include: acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, and naproxen (Acetylsalicylic acid is another name for aspirin.)

Tips:

• Never use longer than the label instructs or at higher doses, unless your doctor specifically tells you to.
• Do not take more than one medicine with the same active ingredient.
• If fever gets worse or last more than three days, see your healthcare provider.
• Aspirin-containing products should not be given to children or teenagers for cold or flu symptoms, unless under the direction of a doctor.

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Headaches and Minor Aches and Pains
These medicines are sometimes broadly called pain relievers but fall into two categories: internal analgesics and external analgesics. Internal analgesics are taken orally for headaches and minor aches and pains. External analgesics are applied topically and include creams, ointments, and rubs for muscle or joint pain, itching, minor skin irritations, or minor skin rashes.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (also known as NSAIDs) refer to aspirin, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, and naproxen.

Internal analgesic active ingredients include: acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, and naproxen. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (also known as NSAIDs) refer to aspirin, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, and naproxen. Acetylsalicylic acid is another name for aspirin.

External analgesic active ingredients include: bensocaine, dibucaine, lidocaine, pramoxine, tetracaine, benzyl alcohol, camphor, menthol, phenol, resorcinol, diphenhydramine, hydrocortisone, methyl salicylate, capsaicin, capsicum, and bentoquatum.

Special Tips for Internal Analgesics:

• Never use longer than the label instructs or at higher doses, unless your doctor specifically tells you to do so.
• Do not take more than one medicine with the same active ingredient.
• Aspirin-containing products should not be given to children or teenagers for cold or flu symptoms, unless under the direction of a doctor.

Special Tips for External Analgesics:

• Because the ingredients in this category treat a wide range of conditions, there is no substitute for reading the label carefully. Choose and use the right product for a specific condition. Never guess, and do not mix and match various products on your own.
• These medicines are for external use only, and you should avoid contact with the eyes.
• If the condition worsens, or if symptoms last for more than 7 days, ask a doctor.
• While some of these ingredients are used to relieve pain or itching from minor scrapes or cuts, some should not be applied to wounds or damaged skin, so read the label closely and choose the right product for your condition.
• Be sure to pay special attention and follow any warnings against using many of these medicines over large areas of the body. This includes warnings against bandaging the affected areas.

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Heartburn, Acid Indigestion, or Upset Stomach
Depending on the specific ingredient, these medicines also can be referred to by different names, including acid reducers (also called H2 receptor antagonists or H2s), antacids, or proton pump inhibitors (or PPIs)

Active Ingredients:
Acid reducers include famotidine, cimetidine, nizatidine, ranitidine, and omeprazole.

Special Tips:

• Antacids include sodium or potassium bicarbonate; aluminum phosphate or hydroxide; magnesium carbonate, trisilicate, hydroxide, or oxide; and calcium carbonate. Check the “warnings” section carefully for symptoms to guard against, as some can be signs of a problem more serious than heartburn.
• Make lifestyle changes since certain foods and medicines, caffeine, smoking, and overeating can make heartburn worse.
• If taking a prescription drug, be sure to read the insert you get when you fill the prescription or talk to your pharmacist or doctor to know when, how, and if you can take an antacid.
• Be sure to check antacid labels for sodium content if you are on a low-salt diet.
• Do not give acid reducers to children under 12 years of age unless under a doctor’s advice.

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Special Tips:

• Only use multi-symptom products that treat your specific and simultaneously occurring symptoms.
• Read and follow the label with particular attention because it contains information in the "Uses", "Warnings", and "Directions" sections applying to all of the product’s active ingredients.
• Never take a multi-symptom product in addition to another medicine which contains one or more active ingredients that are the same as the ones of the multi-symptom product.

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