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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Drugs

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Educational Resources: Understanding Over-the-Counter Medicine

These educational materials provide information on using over-the-counter (OTC) medicine, including the safe use of daily aspirin therapy, tips for parents, and the safe use of OTC pain relievers and fever reducers. They are intended for use by educators, health care professionals, and consumers.

For additional materials on OTC pain relievers and fever reducers, please see Using Acetaminophen and Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs Safely.

Most materials are available in PDF format for immediate downloading or printing. Some materials may be available in print to order at no cost. Send requests for printed materials to ocommpubs@fda.hhs.gov or call 1-888-INFO-FDA.

  

 Brochures

people shopping in pharmacy

        OTC_seriously_broch_thumb      Over the Counter Medicines: What

The New Over-the-Counter Label: Take a Look

(Printed size 3.88" x 9'"' 8 panel, English; parts of the "Drug Facts" label for over-the counter medicine explained in detail.)

The best way to take your over-the-counter pain medicine? Seriously.

(Printed size 4" x 9"; 4 panel; English and Spanish; precautions that need to be used when taking an over-the-counter, nonprescription, pain reliever or fever reducer.) 


En Español

¿Cuál es la mejor manera de tomar su medicina comprada sin receta médica? Con seriedad.

Over-the-Counter Medicines: What's Right for You?

(Printed size 4.25" x 8.5"; 32 pages; English and Spanish; choosing OTCs, reading labels, and avoiding drug interactions and tampering. Includes safe use of OTCs for children, while pregnant and breast feeding.)


En Español

Medicamentos sin receta: ¿Cual es adecuado para usted?

 

Aspirin for Reducing Your Risk of Heart Attack and Stroke: KNOW THE FACTS - abstract brochure cover

 

 

    

thumbnail of psa - kids aren

 

 

 

 

[No image available]

Aspirin for Reducing Your Risk of Heart Attack and Stroke: Know the Facts.

(Printed size 4.25" x 8.5"; 6 panel; English; importance of working with health professionals when choosing and using aspirin to reduce risk of heart attack and stroke. Includes 4 facts about aspirin.)

Kids Aren't Just Small Adults

(Printed size 3.75"x 8.5" - 6 panel; English and Spanish; Advice for parents or caregivers on giving a child an over-the-counter medicine.)

En Español:
Los Niños No Son Simplements Adultos Pequeños 

Got a Sick Kid? Don't Guess. Read the Label.

(10 ways to make sure you give nonprescription medicine to children in the right way in the right amount; includes an immunization schedule; created in cooperation with the Council for Family Health).

 

En Español:
¿Está enfermo uno de sus hijos?

     

 Articles

thumbnail of use caution with pain relievers article             

 thumbnail of article (health hints: use caution with pain relievers)

Health Bulletin: Use Caution with Pain Relievers

(Printed size 4" x 6.5"; black and white; English; the importance of knowing how to safely use acetaminophen – a common active ingredient in many other-the-counter and prescription pain relievers and fever reducers.)

Health Hints: Use Caution with Pain Relievers

(Printed size 4" x 7.75"; black and white; English; the importance of knowing active ingredients and directions for OTC pain relievers and all over-the-counter medicine.)

 
 
 Fact Sheet
 
 pill on tongue

Before Using Aspirin to Lower Your Risk of Heart Attack or Stroke, Here is What You Should Know

(Printed size 8" x 11 ½"; 2 sided; black and white; English; risks of daily aspirin use and why it should only be used when prescribed and with a health professional's guidance and directions.)

 

 Checklists
 

   

 Print Public Service Announcements
 
(Printed sizes vary; 4-color and black and white; English. Other sizes available upon request.)

man reading drug facts label 

over-the-counter drug label                                    

       2 medicine bottles with arrows pointing to each other

All over-the-counter medicines have one thing in common. Simplicity.

What's on the Label?

Don't Take ME with HIM

 

   

 

hand holding pills          

 

 

different medicines

 

surgeon general

You know what’s in your medicine cabinet, but do you know what's in your medicines?   

These medicines all have one thing in common . . . the same active ingredient.

This may be the most important prescription I've ever written.

   


 drug label with words circled      fingers holding a pill      OTC_why_thumb

Driving? Check the Medicine Label to Make Sure You're Able.

Driving? Check ALL of Your Medicine Labels Before You Hit the Road.

Why is it important to know that all these medicines contain acetaminophen?

     


OTC_seriously_thumb   

 

              human torso showing inside organs

 

 pill on tongue

The best way to take your over-the-counter pain reliever? Seriously.     

Exceeding the Recommended Dosage Can Do More Than Wipe Out Your Pain. Just Ask Your Major Organs.


En Español:
Exceder La Dosis Recomendada Puede Eliminar Más Que El Dolor Que Usted Padece. Sólo Pregúntele A Sus Órganos Principales.

Are You Using Aspirin Daily? You Should Talk to Your Doctor First.               


 

children

      children on seesaw          

         scale and silhouette of a child

What Are You Weighting For?

Do You Know Your Child's Weight?

Does Size Really Matter?

    

 Internet Public Service Announcement Banners

(Sizes vary; 4-color; English; can be used on Web sites and linked to the pertinent "Consumer Education" Web page. Other sizes may be available upon request.)

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   acetaminophen2

 

 

 

 

   thumbnail of banner with text

Acetaminophen - Too much of this pain reliever can damage your liver. Read the label.

  • JPG (120 x 240 pixels, for Web use)

  • JPG (120 x 600 pixels, for Web use)

FDA suggests that this banner graphic link to the Safe Use of Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers (analgesics) and Fever Reducers (antipyretics) Web page or the Educational Resources: Over-the-Counter Medicine Web page.

Knock out pain, not your liver. 

  • JPG (140 x 140 pixels, for Web use)
     

FDA suggests that this banner graphic link to the Safe Use of Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers (analgesics) and Fever Reducers (antipyretics) Web page or the Educational Resources: Over-the-Counter Medicine Web page.

Driving? Before You Hit the Road, Check the Medicine Label to Make Sure You're Able.

  • JPG (728 x 90 pixels, for Web use)


FDA suggests that the banner graphic link to the Driving When You Are Taking Medications brochure.

 

 Audio Public Service Announcements


Acetaminophen - Read the Label

The following are radio public service announcements for the safe use of acetaminophen, a common over-the-counter and prescription pain reliever and fever reducer. The audio files – one 20-second spot and one 30-second spot – are in mp3 format; the transcripts are in PDF format.

 Title

Run Time

File Size

Transcript

Acetaminophen - Read the Label

 00:00:20

316KB

PDF - 13KB

Acetaminophen - Read the Label

 00:00:30

460KB

PDF - 11KB


The New Label - It's Clearly Better

Transcripts of two 30-second, two 20-second, one 15-second, and one 10-second live-read announcements.

 

 Television Public Service Announcements


Medicines Don't Mix

30-second television spot; mpg format, compressed as a zip file.

 

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