The debate between over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription drugs is one that has been going on for years. There are pros and cons to both sides of the argument, and it can be difficult to decide which is the best option for you.
These are two types of drugs that can confuse first-time users. The two relieve entirely different illnesses, and interchanging the two may cause other problems. That is why it would be best to know and understand the difference between the two. Here, we will take a look at the key differences between OTC and prescription drugs, as well as the side effects and risks of each option, to help you make an informed decision.
Over-The-Counter Drugs
Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs are nonprescription medications. This means you can buy this type of medicine even without a doctor’s authorization. In the US, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) inspects the drugs before the manufacturers continue to produce them and are distributed to licensed pharmacies.
They are safe for general use and come with easy-to-follow instructions on the label. The medications that you can usually buy over-the-counter are used to treat any easy-to-self-diagnose ailments such as fevers, colds, allergies, or headaches.
Prescription Drugs
Prescription (Rx) drugs are pharmaceutical medications that require a prescription from a licensed doctor to purchase the medicine. Pharmacists will not sell you any of the Rx drugs unless you show them a valid prescription authenticated by a doctor.
The physician specifically issues these drugs for an individual patient to treat certain conditions. In contrast, OTC Drugs are produced for the general treatment of many common health problems that can easily be treated. That is why it is important to stay informed and read about the medicine you are about to buy on trusted sites like the Buzzrx Blog, which provides sufficient information about different types of drugs and their uses.
Over-The-Counter vs. Prescription Drugs
To look closer between OTC and Rx drugs, here is a list of comparisons that you can look into.
Side Effects
One of the most crucial differences between OTC and Rx drugs is their side effects. Even if OTC medications are not as strong as Rx drugs, they can still have varying side effects. The cause of some extreme side effects of OTCs is when they are misused. For instance, a person with problems in his prostate may have a difficult time urinating if they take OTC decongestants.
Aside from that, taking OTC medicines can generally cause dizziness, nausea, or bleeding in the digestive tract if abused. Consequently, some OTC antihistamines can cause sleepiness, so you must ensure that you are not driving. It would be best if you drink it in the evening to not cause you much effect and you can still get the amount of sleep you need.
On the other hand, the side effects of Rx drugs will depend on the type of medication you took and the kind of illness that it is supposed to treat. Some types of this drug can also generally cause nausea and vomiting, dizziness, and drowsiness. However, health practitioners keep a close eye on this medication and its effect on you because of its potent ingredients.
Risks
The risks for OTC drugs and Rx medications are similarly adverse. One of the most significant risks would be drug dependence on the medicines. Drug dependence is when your body starts to develop a high tolerance for the drugs, and it adapts to the medication, which can result in wanting larger or higher than the regular doses.
Drug dependence on OTC and Rx medications can be considered the body’s response to wanting more of the substance. Your body gets tricked that these drugs are an essential part of the body’s functioning. It is also the same with psychological dependence, where your mind tends to be obsessive with the belief.
Keep in mind that drug dependence is entirely different from drug addiction. A person can be addicted to drugs without getting addicted, and someone can be dependent on drugs without being addicted. Thus, these two can not be used interchangeably, and one must be careful when talking about the two. Nonetheless, addiction and dependence are a result of drug abuse.
Price
Medication prices also vary if the drugs are branded or generic. The medicines with brands will typically cost more than the generic ones. However, this does not mean that the more expensive one is more effective. As a matter of fact, both branded medicines and generic drugs have the same active ingredient, which means they work the same way.
Aside from that, another difference that you must know between OTC and Rx drugs is that most of the former’s medications are not covered by most insurance plans. So, it can be more expensive compared to the Rx drugs. On the other hand, Rx drugs can generally be more expensive because of their ingredients. However, you have several payment plans that you can consider, including health insurance.
Final Thoughts
OTC and Rx drugs are distinguishable from each other. However, not everyone can recognize the grievance and importance of differentiating the two. Now that you are more knowledgeable about the medicines, it is essential to keep all of these in mind so that they can help you in the future when you are about to buy an over-the-counter medicine or prescribe drugs.
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