Question for American fellows

[alrot]

Is it true that you can't buy a simple drug pills in the United States for a simple  headache like dipirona , tylenol,acetaminofen or even for birth control pregnacy?that they have to be prescrited by a phisician??

[TacitBlue]

Hello ALROT. Here in the US we can buy simple medicine like asprin, tylonal, pseudophedrine (for conjestion) and that kind of thing "over the counter", meaning that you dont need a prescription. As for birth control, there has been some talk lately about making it over-the-counter, but I dont know if the powers that be have come to a decision yet. Why do you ask?

[alrot]

Hello ALROT. Here in the US we can buy simple medicine like asprin, tylonal, pseudophedrine (for conjestion) and that kind of thing "over the counter", meaning that you dont need a prescription. As for birth control, there has been some talk lately about making it over-the-counter, but I dont know if the powers that be have come to a decision yet. Why do you ask?

I was disscusing with a friend and he insist (exagerating of couse) that new rules don't led people to buy ordinary drugs,I'm aware like here that bensodiazepins or any psycotropic among others need special prescription,Just curiosity TacitBlue ,and thanks

[Hagar]

Is it true that you can't buy a simple drug pills .......

...... or even for birth control pregnacy?that they have to be prescrited by a phisician??

I'm not American but I think that in the UK birth control pills have to be prescribed by a doctor or qualified person at a family planning clinic. They could be risky, even life-threatening, if a woman suffers from certain medical conditions. I'm surprised if they're freely available over the counter in some countries.

[alrot]

Hi Doug,yeah you right you can also buy here freely some likes Viagra (dealy dangerous if you use them without responsibility)anticonceptives in general and other,yes they should be restrict it .....

[legoalex2000]

to clear it all up, over-the-counter drugs (OTC drugs) such as Tylenol, advil, immodium, amongst MANY others are available. but these clear up stuff like headaches, colds, flu, cramps, diharrea, etc...

Birth contol became OTC here in IL this past year. thanks to our new Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich (blah goy a vich)

[Romulus111VADT]

If you could see the isles in the local drug stores. There is a tremendous amount of OTC drugs. Normally drugs that are new to the system or are considered control substances such as Narcotics, Barbiturates, etc. are considered prescription drugs.

http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/default.htm- Has an overview of most OTC drugs that are available.

[WebbPA]

Nice link, Romulus,

AFAIK the only difference between S. America and US is penicillin.  It is OTC in Mexico and points south but by prescription only in the US and  Europe (last time I was there, about 10 years ago) so I always get a year's supply in Mexico - just in case I get strep throat.

I would be surprised if birth control pills would be sold OTC anywhere because of the need for advise on dosage. (Notwithstanding Drumlineramos' reply, which I don't disagree with, I just find it hard to believe.)

Viagra - Prescription only for now but I can see it OTC in the near future.

Anti-allergens - Lower dosages are available OTC.

"Psycotropics" - LSD? Mushrooms?  Probably illegal.

[Smoke2much]

Psychotropics are drugs that affect the mind.  Caffeine is a psychotropic drug, it is available over most counters!

I'm surprised that birth control pills are available OTC in IL.  I hope your pharmacists have good legal insurance

[Paz]

[Hagar]

I believe that it's the misuse of antibiotics over the years that has caused some to become completely ineffective. The damage was done when their use was controlled by doctors who often prescribed them for unsuitable illnesses just to keep the patients happy. Imagine what would happen if they were sold over the counter. One of the greatest miracles of the last century rendered completely useless in 60 years by our own stupidity.

PS.

I usually end up getting antibiotics from someone who has them leftover from thier illnesses.

As I understand it, antibiotics are prescribed in carefully controlled doses. Not completing the couse is another cause of their ineffectiveness.
A. The patient should have none left over to give you.
B. By not taking a full course yourself it will be less effective the next time you use it.

[Paz]

 Not all of us are stupid enough to misuse drugs just because they are available, I suppose you could misuse aspirin if you wanted to, but I hardly ever take anything unless I feel really bad, which is rare.

[Hagar]

[quote]

[Paz]

As I understand it, antibiotics are prescribed in carefully controlled doses. Not completing the couse is another cause of their ineffectiveness.
A. The patient should have none left over to give you.
B. By not taking a full course yourself it will be less effective the next time you use it.