OTC medicines or Over-The-Counter medicines are generally referred to those medicines that we bought from chemist shop, without the prescription of a doctor. Generally, these medicines are for fever, cold, flu, constipation, nausea, and body pain. These diseases are common and occurs often, that’s why people prefer OTC medicine for these and do not go consulting a doctor.

Now, there are many questions that cam came in the highlight after the use of OTC medicines by people. Why do people opt for over-the-counter medicines? Could there be any long-term effects on our health and why do doctors recommend prescription medicines are questions this article will shed some light on.

How OTC Medicines Affect A Person? 

If we think generally we can say that people use OTC medicines just to save their money on doctor’s fees and may be due to some financial reasons. They think that the health issue they are suffering from is very common and can be cured without doctor’s consultation, but fact is they are totally unaware of the impact that these OTC medicines will impart on their health in the long run.

Here are some adverse effects of relying on OTC medication for a long time.

Drug To Drug Interaction!

You must know that everybody reacts differently to each medicine and in case of OTC medicines, what occurs is drug to drug interaction. When we take multiple drugs at one time, there are chances that drugs react with each other and as a result our body develops side-effects. At the time, a doctor prescribes a medicines, you might have noticed that it clearly tells, when you have to take the medicine, which two medicines you have to take together, which medicine is to be taken with normal water and which one with lukewarm water, he explains you everything in detail. But when you take OTC medicines, it is hardly described by the seller at the drugstore.

Substitute Medicines: these are medicines that have similar composition but only the brand may differ. These medicines most of the time give more than what your body actually needs. And you are very aware with the fact that too much of medicines can directly affect your heart and kidney.

Opposite Medicine Reaction: Well, this get common in case of most of the medicines. Different medicines act differently with the body and sometimes the rection goes opposite. For example, medicines taken for COVID can help fight the disease but also raise blood pressure levels simultaneously.

Here I would like to suggest if after taking an OTC medicine, you feel that your problem is rising instead of getting down, immediately consult a doctor and do tell them about the previous medicines taken.

Drug To Food Interaction!

As mentioned earlier, when a doctor prescribes a medicine, he tells us about what kind of food we have to eat along with that medicine and which food item we have to avoid. This is because there are certain foods that can interrupt with your medication and this phenomenon is called drug and food interaction. But when you take OTC medicines this isn’t prescribed or mentioned to the person. And certainly, what happens either the medicine doesn’t work properly or can work adversely.

Allergic Reactions!

People have allergies to different things; these can be one of compositions of the medicine. People can face allergies after taking certain medications. These allergies can be in the form of rashes, breathing problems and itching. If you are taking any OTC medicines and feel such changes in your body, Immediately stop the consumption of the medicine and consult a doctor at the earliest, and do not forget to mention the name of the medicine taken previous, to the doctor.

OTC Drug Abuse!  

There are certain medicines, whose selling is restricted without prescription, because these medicines are additive and once you get addicted to these medicines you cannot come out of the trap the whole life. However, these medicines are still sold by some of the pharmacists without prescription. Thus, it is advisable, do not opt for OTC medicines, rather consult your doctor at the earliest.

So basically, what we can conclude that it is always a best option to eat medicines that are prescribed by the experts, that is doctors. Do not become a doctor of yourself, the OTC medicines can get you relief for short-term, but can be proven harmful in the long run.

Be Alert! Be Safe!

Thank You!