The Most Reliable Over the Counter Medications

OTC medications

Having a bad headache? Getting digestion problems every now and then? Whether OTC medications are part of your everyday life or not, the convenience of having them in hand for occasional ailments and discomfort is essential for any home. These are readily available at any local pharmacy nearby, at a standard price, and comes with easy to follow dosing instructions.

Some common ailments that can be remedied with these medications are stomach upset, acid reflux, allergies, cough and colds, for pain relief, and insomnia, among others. To help guide you on filling up your pill box or medicine cabinet, listed below are commonly used drug names available in dosages for adults and children 12 years old and older.

Painkillers

  1. Acetaminophen/paracetamol (Tylenol®)
Regular Strength

325 mg/tablet

Take 2 tabs four to six times daily as needed for pain Max of 10 tabs per day, or as advised.
Extra Strength

500 mg/tablet

Take 2 tabs four times daily as needed for pain Max of 6 tabs per day, or as advised.
  1. Ibuprofen (Advil®)
200 mg/tablet/cap/gelcap Take 1 tab four to six times daily as needed for pain; can take up to 2 tabs Max of 6 tabs per day
  1. Naproxen sodium (Aleve®)
220 mg/tablet/caplet/gelcap/liquid gel Take 1 tab twice to three times daily as needed for pain as needed for pain; can take up to 2 tablets for the 1st dose within the 1st hour Max of 2 tabs per 12 hours or 3 tabs per day

Don’t use for longer than 10 days.

  1. Aspirin
Regular Dose (325 mg/ caplet) Take 1 or 2 caps with water up to six times daily as needed Max of 12 caps per 24 hours
Low Dose (81 mg/ tablet) Take 4 to 8 tablets with water up to six times daily as needed Max of 48 tabs per 24 hours

Antacid and acid blockers

  1. Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol®)
Original or Rapid Relief LiquiCaps

262 mg/chewable tablet, caplet or LiquiCap

Take 2 tabs as needed Max of eight 262 mg tabs or four 525 mg tabs per day. Don’t use for longer than 2 days.
  1. Famotidine (Pepcid®)
Pepcid Complete

10 mg/ chewable tablet

Take 1 tab as needed. Chew tablet before swallowing.  

Max of 2 tabs per day

Original Strength

10 mg/ tablet

Take 1 tab as needed. Take one hour before meals to prevent heartburn. Swallow tab; do not chew.
Maximum Strength

20 mg/ tablet

Take 1 tab as needed. Take one hour before meals to prevent heartburn.  
  1. Calcium carbonate (Tums®)
Regular Strength

500 mg/ tablet

Take 2 to 4 tabs as needed Chew before swallowing.

Max of 15 tabs per day. Don’t take for persistent symptoms lasting more than 14 days, or as advised by a doctor

Extra Strength

750 mg/ tablet

Take 2 to 4 tabs as needed Max of 10 tabs per day.

Nasal decongestant

  1. Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed®)
Sinus Congestion

30 mg/ tablet

Take 2 caps every 4 to 6 hours Max of 8 caps per day
Sinus Congestion 12 Hour

120 mg/ tablet

Take 1 tab twice a day Max of 2 tabs per day
Sinus Congestion 24 Hour

240 mg/ tablet

Take 1 tab once a day Take tab as a whole; do not chew or dissolve.

Max of 1 tablet per day

Anti-allergy

  1. Diphenhydramine (Benadryl®)
25 mg/tablet Take 1 to 2 tabs every 4 to 6 hours as needed, or as advised by a doctor. Max of 6 tabs per day. Use as indicated.

Anti-insomnia

  1. Melatonin
1-10 mg/ tablet For sleep disorders, take a 2 mg tablet once at bedtime For disturbed sleep-wake cycle, may take for up to 13 weeks only.

A fair precaution should be taken when taking other medicines that may interfere with the maintenance of another health problem. A doctor’s prescription and advice should be sought for when you have a more severe sickness that needs immediate care.

Organizing your medications shouldn’t be as difficult as before now that you have a good idea about their timing and dosage for further use.

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