Over-the-counter substance: Encyclopedia II - Over-the-counter substance - Switches between POM and OTC

Over-the-counter substance - Switches between POM and OTC

As a general rule, over-the-counter drugs have to be primarily used to treat a condition that does not require the direct supervision of a doctor and must be proven to be reasonably safe and well-tolerated. OTC drugs are usually also required to have little or no abuse potential, although in some areas drugs such as codeine are available OTC (usually in strictly limited formulations or requiring paperwork or identification to be submitted during purchase). One of the oldest OTC drugs is aspirin.

Over time, drugs that prove themselves safe and appropriate for self-medication, may be switched from POM to OTC. An example of this is diphenhydramine (Benadryl®) which once required a prescription but now is available OTC nearly everywhere. More recent examples are cimetidine and loratadine in the United States.

It is somewhat unusual for an OTC drug to be withdrawn from the market, though it does happen occasionally, phenylpropanolamine being one example.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Switches between POM and OTC", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki