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  7. Educational Resources: Understanding Over-the-Counter Medicine
  1. Understanding Over-the-Counter Medicines

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.

people shopping in pharmacy   Over the Counter Medicines: What

The New Over-the-Counter Medicine 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.)

 

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

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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?

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.)

(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.

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

(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.)

120x240_thumb acetaminophen2
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.

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.

Medicines Don't Mix

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

 

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