Over-the-counter birth control methods are used during sex to avoid pregnancy and sometimes to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Over-the-counter means that they can be purchased by anyone, without a doctor's prescription.

For more information about birth control options, see:

• Birth control and family planning
• Emergency contraception

Birth control - over the counter; Contraceptives - over the counter

Over-the-counter birth control methods are not as effective against pregnancy as some prescription methods. However, they are more effective against STIs than any other method except not having intercourse (abstinence). They enable people to protect themselves against pregnancies and STIs without having to:

• Deal with long-term side effects
• Spend a lot of money
• Wait for a doctor's appointment

CONDOMS

• A male condomis a thin sheath placed on the penis. In the case of the female condom, the condom is placed inside the vagina before intercourse. Semen is collected inside the condom, which must be carefully held in place and then removed after intercourse.
• About 14 pregnancies occur out of 100 couples using male condoms over 1 year. About 21 pregnancies occur out of 100 couples using female condoms. Condoms are more effective when spermicide is also used.
• Condoms are available in most drug and grocery stores. Some family planning clinics may offer free condoms.
• Latex condoms help prevent HIV and other STIs.

SPERMICIDES

• Spermicides are chemical gels, foams, creams, or suppositories that kill sperm. They are inserted into the vagina before intercourse.
• They can be purchased in most drug and grocery stores.
• This method used by itself is not very effective. About 26 pregnancies occur out of 100 women using this method alone over 1 year. Therefore, spermicides are often combined with other methods (such as condoms or diaphragm) for extra protection.
• Spermicides are generally combined with other methods (such as condoms or diaphragm) as extra protection.
• Warning: The spermicide nonoxynol-9 can help prevent pregnancy, but also may increase the risk of HIV transmission.
• Risks include irritation and allergic reactions.

VAGINAL SPONGE

• Vaginal contraceptive sponges are soft artificial sponges covered with a spermicide. Before intercourse, the sponge is moistened, inserted into the vagina, and placed over the cervix. After intercourse, the sponge is left in place for 6 - 8 hours.
• The sponge is similar to the diaphragm (which you must get from a doctor) as a barrier protection method.
• About 18 - 28 pregnancies occur out of every 100 women using this method over 1 year. The sponge may be more effective in women who have not already given birth to a baby.

• Risks include irritation, allergic reaction, trouble removing the sponge. In rare cases, toxic shock syndrome may occur.

EMERGENCY ("MORNING AFTER") BIRTH CONTROL

• The "morning after" pill consists of two doses of hormone pills taken within 72 hours after unprotected intercourse.
• The emergency contraceptive pill is available as either single pill (Plan B One-Step) or as two pills (Plan B, Next Choice). See: Emergency contraception

Amy JJ, Tripathi V. Contraception for women: an evidence based overview. BMJ. 2009 Aug 7;339.

No, the term 'over the counter' is a compound adjectiveor a compound adverb.

The adjective 'over the counter' is used to describe a noun.

Example: My insurance doesn't cover over the countermedicines.

The adverb 'over the counter' is used to modify a verb, an adjective, or another adverb.

Example: It can be purchased over the counterwithout a prescription.

Medications to have at home

For common minor symptoms and illnesses, you can buy over-the-counter medicines at a store without a prescription from your health care provider.

Important tips for using over-the-counter medications:

• Always follow the printed directions and warnings. If you have any questions, talk to your doctor before starting a new over-the-counter drug.
• Know what you are taking. Always look at the list of ingredients. Select products with the fewest number of ingredients needed to treat your symptoms.
• All medications become less effective (expire) over time and should be replaced. Check the expiration date before using any product.
• Store medicines in a cool, dry area. The heat from kitchens and the moisture from bathrooms decrease the effectiveness of medications.
• Store all medications out of the reach of children. See: Storing medicine safely

Women should consult their doctor before taking over-the-counter medicines while pregnant or breastfeeding.

Any drug or medicine may have a different effect in children and older adults. People who are in these age groups should take special care when taking over-the-counter medicines.

Below are some examples of over-the-counter medicines for common symptoms. This list does not include every medicine. It also does not mean that some of the brands listed are better than others. Many of these medicines have less expensive store brands.

Always call your health care provider first if:

• Your symptoms are severe
• You are not sure what is wrong with you
• You have a long-term (chronic) medical condition or you are taking other prescription medications

ACHES, PAINS, AND HEADACHES

Over-the-counter pain relievers can help with your headache, arthritis pain, sprains, and other minor joint and muscle problems.

• Acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) can be used first. Do not take more than 4 grams (4,000 mg) on any one day.
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). You can buy some NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen and naproxen, without a prescription.

Both NSAIDs and acetaminophen can cause serious side effects when taken in high doses or for a long time. If you are taking pain relievers several days a week, tell your doctor. You may need to be watched for side effects.

People who need to take pain medications for headaches 3 or more days a week may get rebound headaches. See: Headache for more information about headaches and when to call your doctor.

FEVER

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) help reduce fever in children and adults.

• Take acetaminophen every 4 - 6 hours. It works by turning down the brain's thermostat.
• Take ibuprofen every 6 - 8 hours. DO NOT use ibuprofen in children younger than 6 months. Know how much you or your child weighs before giving ibuprofen.

Aspirin works very well for treating fever in adults. DO NOT give aspirin to a child unless your child's doctor tells you to give it.

See: Fever to learn how to treat a fever and when to call the doctor.

COLD, SORE THROAT, COUGH

Over-the-counter cold remedies may help ease your symptoms. They won't shorten the length of a cold, but they can help you feel better.

NOTE: Medical experts do not recommend using cough and cold drugs in children under age 6. Talk to your doctor before your child takes any type of over-the-counter cold medicine, even if it is labeled for children. These medicines likely will not work in children, and they may have serious side effects.

Cough medicines include:

• Guaifenesin: This medicine helps break up mucus. Drink lots of fluids if you take this medicine.
• Menthol throat lozenges: Halls, Robitussin, Vicks
• Liquid cough suppressants with dextromethorphan: Benylin, Delsym, Robitussin DM, Simply Cough, Vicks 44, and store brands

Decongestant pills and liquids help clear a runny nose and relieve postnasal drip:

• Check with your doctor before taking decongestants if you have high blood pressure or prostate problems.
• Oral decongestants: pseudoephedrine (Contact Non-Drowsy, Sudafed) and phenylephrine (Sudafed PE)

Nasal spray decongestants may also help with a runny nose:

• Decongestant nasal sprays: oxymetazoline (Afrin, Neo-Synephrine Nighttime, Sinex Spray) and phenylephrine (Neo-Synephrine, Sinex Capsules)
• Decongestant nasal sprays may work more quickly, but they can have a rebound effect if you use them for more than 3 - 5 days. Your symptoms may get worse if you keep using these sprays.

Starting to take zinc supplements within 24 hours after cold symptoms begin may shorten the duration of cold symptoms and make the symptoms less severe.

Sore throat may be treated with:

• Sprays that numb the pain for a short time: dyclonine (Cepacol), phenol (Chloraseptic)
• Painkillers: acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve)
• Sucking on hard candies or throat lozenges can be very soothing. Be careful in young children because of the choking risk.

ALLERGIES

Antihistamine pills and liquids work well for treating allergy symptoms.

• Some antihistamines can cause sleepiness. These include: dipenhydramine (Benadryl), chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimetron), brompheniramine (Dimetapp), or clemastine (Tavist). Talk to your doctor before giving these medicines to a child, because they can affect learning. In adults, they may also reduce alertness enough to impair driving.
• Newer antihistamines cause little or no sleepiness. Some are available over the counter. These medications include loratadine (Alavert, Claritin, Dimetapp ND), fexofenadine (Allegra), and cetirizine (Zyrtec).

You can also try:

• Eye drops that soothe or moisten
• Preventive nasal spray: cromolyn sodium (Nasalcrom)

DIARRHEA

Be careful when taking over-the-counter antidiarrheal medicines such as loperamide (Imodium). Talk to your doctor first. These drugs can worsen diarrhea that is caused by infections.

Medicines that contain bismuth (Kaopectate, Pepto-Bismol) may be taken for mild diarrhea. Rehydration fluids you can buy at a drugstore (Enfalyte or Pedialyte) may be used for moderate and severe diarrhea.

NAUSEA AND VOMITING

Emetrol and Pepto-Bismol may relieve mild nausea and vomiting. Rehydration fluids you can buy at a drugstore (Enfalyte or Pedialyte) may help replace fluids. See: Nausea and vomiting for more information and when to call the doctor.

You can help motion sickness with dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) or meclizine (Bonine, Antivert, Postafen, and Sea Legs).

SKIN RASHES AND ITCHING

Antihistamines taken by mouth may help with itching or if you have allergies. Often you can buy them without a prescription.

Hydrocortisone cream (Cortaid, Cortizone 10) may work for mild rashes. See: Rashes

Diaper rashes caused by yeast may be treated with topical antifungal skin creams and ointments, such as nystatin, miconazole, clotrimazole, and ketaconazole.

Singh M, Das RR. Zinc for the common cold. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2011 Feb 16;2:CD001364.

Simasek M, Blandino DA. Treatment of the common cold. Am Fam Physician. Feb 2007;75(4):515-520.

Semrad CE, Powell DW. Approach to the patient with diarrhea and malabsorption. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 143.

Boes CJ, Capobianco DJ, Cutrer FM, et al. Headache and other craniofacial pain. In: Bradley WG, Daroff RB, Fenichel GM, Jankovic J, eds. Neurology in Clinical Practice. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Butterworth-Heinemann; 2008:chap 73.

Atopic dermatitis. In: Habif TP, ed. Clinical Dermatology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2009:chap 5.

Review Date: 03/26/2011

David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

No, the term 'over the counter' is not a noun at all.

The term 'over the counter' is a compound adjective, a word used to describe a noun.

The adjective 'over the counter' is used to describe medicine that can be purchased without a prescription or stocks not transacted through an organized securities exchange.