Counter Medication

An adult with mild tension headache seeks OTC relief. Which is an appropriate first-line option and max daily dose (no liver disease)?

A 5-year-old (20 kg) has fever. Appropriate single-dose acetaminophen?

Which patient should avoid aspirin for fever/pain self-care?

Adult OTC ibuprofen typical dose and OTC max?

A 32-week pregnant patient asks about pain relief. Preferred OTC choice?

Allergic rhinitis with daytime symptoms—best OTC option with least sedation?

Intranasal steroid counseling point for fluticasone OTC:

Patient with uncontrolled hypertension seeks a “sinus” decongestant. Best advice?

Dextromethorphan key safety counseling:

Guaifenesin counseling for productive cough:

Pediatric cough/cold products are generally not recommended for which age?

Heartburn ≥2 days/week for months—OTC strategy?

Famotidine OTC dosing for episodic heartburn (adult, normal renal function)?

GERD alarm symptoms requiring referral include:

Acute diarrhea non-bloody, no fever—effective OTC?

Bismuth subsalicylate key contraindication:

Constipation first-line OTC for most adults:

Stimulant laxative best for opioid-induced constipation:

Hemorrhoid self-care red flag for referral:

Gas/bloating OTC safe option, including infants:

Lactose intolerance OTC aid:

Nausea with motion sickness prevention:

Pregnancy-related nausea first-line OTC approach:

Cold sore (herpes labialis) early therapy:

Acne mild comedonal first-line OTC:

Athlete’s foot effective OTC with shortest course:

Jock itch/ringworm counseling:

Nail fungus self-care?

Warts (common) first-line OTC therapy:

Head lice first-line OTC (no resistance concerns, ≥2 months old):

Sun protection counseling:

Insect repellent key point:

Dry eye OTC recommendation:

Earwax impaction OTC option:

Vaginal yeast infection self-care criteria:

Emergency contraception OTC counseling (no Rx access):

Iron deficiency supplement counseling (adult):

Calcium and vitamin D daily goals for most adults:

Topical hydrocortisone 1% use for dermatitis:

Teething pain in infants—safe recommendation:

A 26-year-old with seasonal allergies wants a non-drowsy OTC option for daytime. Best choice?

A patient using intranasal oxymetazoline for 6 days has worsening congestion. Likely issue and advice?

A 35-year-old with episodic heartburn wants quick relief after meals. Best OTC?

A 60-year-old on warfarin asks about OTC NSAIDs for knee pain. Best advice?

A 28-year-old with insomnia wants an OTC sleep aid for short trips. Reasonable option?

Which supplement has best evidence to reduce migraine frequency?

A parent asks about honey for a 1-year-old’s cough. Appropriate?

A 42-year-old with GERD uses omeprazole OTC daily for 8 weeks with partial relief. Next step?

A patient with lactose intolerance asks about probiotics. Which statement is accurate?

A 70-year-old with constipation and chronic kidney disease asks about magnesium citrate. Best advice?

A runner has friction blisters on heels. Best OTC approach?

Minor superficial burn (first-degree) from cooking today. Best initial self-care?

A patient with frequent nosebleeds asks about OTC nasal products. Advice?

Contact lens wearer with red painful eye and photophobia seeks redness drops. Best action?

Patient with angular cheilitis (cracks at mouth corners). OTC suggestion?

Traveler’s diarrhea prevention: safe OTC measure?

A 24-year-old using nicotine patch still has breakthrough cravings. OTC strategy?

Patient with plantar fasciitis pain asks for OTC. Best first-line?

A 30-year-old with canker sores (aphthous ulcers). Helpful OTC?

A patient on ACE inhibitor develops dry cough and asks for OTC cough syrup. Best advice?

A 55-year-old with glaucoma seeks allergy eye drops. Safe OTC?

A teen athlete has suspected tinea corporis (ringworm). Best OTC regimen?

A pregnant patient with constipation asks for OTC. Preferred first-line?

A 40-year-old with dyspepsia uses calcium carbonate excessively. Risk to counsel?

A patient with frequent oral herpes asks about lysine. Accurate counseling?

A 7-year-old (weight 25 kg) fever—ibuprofen dose?

A patient with seasonal allergies wants rapid-onset nasal relief today. Best recommendation?

A 23-year-old with dysmenorrhea seeks OTC. Effective approach?

A 30-year-old with zinc cold remedy asks about intranasal zinc. Advice?

A patient on MAOI asks about OTC for nasal congestion. Safe option?

A 45-year-old with occasional traveler’s constipation asks about bisacodyl suppository use. Correct counseling?

Patient with mild eczema flare asks for OTC. Best regimen?

A 36-year-old with gas after beans asks about prevention. Effective OTC?

A 50-year-old with frequent canker sores uses benzocaine gel. Safety warning?

A patient with non-infected ingrown toenail asks for OTC. Advice?

A 34-year-old with heartburn takes antacids near levothyroxine. Counsel?

A patient with diarrhea after antibiotics asks about probiotics. Best guidance?

A 22-year-old with dandruff (seborrheic dermatitis). Effective OTC?

Patient with hemorrhoids wants relief from itching. OTC recommendation?

A 30-year-old with recurrent “sinus headache” uses OTC combo products daily. Safety message?

A 28-year-old with jet lag–related insomnia asks about melatonin. What is reasonable OTC use?

A daily drinker with mild liver disease needs pain relief. Safe acetaminophen plan?

A patient asks about pseudoephedrine dosing. Correct OTC maximum for adults?

A patient says oral phenylephrine “does nothing.” Best counseling?

A traveler on doxycycline asks about antacids. Best spacing to avoid chelation?

Bismuth subsalicylate counseling should include:

Safe adult OTC loperamide plan for acute diarrhea without red flags?

An osteoarthritis patient considers topical diclofenac gel. Correct use?

A patient starting capsaicin cream asks about burning. Best advice?

A pregnant patient wants a nasal allergy option. Safe OTC choice?

A man with BPH has seasonal allergies. Which OTC should he avoid?

Using “redness-relief” eye drops (tetrahydrozoline) daily caused worse redness. Why?

Contact lens user with dry eyes asks for OTC help. Best advice?

Child with mild dehydration from diarrhea: best OTC approach?

Patient on clopidogrel needs frequent heartburn relief. OTC choice?

Choosing an antacid: which pairing of effect is correct?

Which antacid is least suitable in HF/CKD with sodium restriction?

A warfarin patient asks about bismuth subsalicylate. Best advice?

A parent wants to use menthol/camphor rub for a 6-month-old’s cough. Counsel?

Dysuria relief until UTI evaluation—appropriate OTC?

Cranberry for UTI prevention—accurate statement?

D-mannose for recurrent UTIs—what to tell patients?

A patient used levonorgestrel EC and vomited within 2 hours. Next step?

Rectal phenylephrine for hemorrhoids in uncontrolled HTN?

An adult with acute urticaria seeks OTC help. Best first-line?

Zinc for colds: key safety counseling?

High-dose vitamin C daily for “immunity”—risk to discuss?

Choosing a calcium supplement while on a PPI—best option?

Iron supplement absorption counseling includes:

Activated charcoal for routine gas/diarrhea self-care?

“Fat burner” with synephrine (bitter orange) is requested. Best advice?

A pre-workout supplement lists DMAA. Counseling?

CBD oil user on warfarin asks about safety. Best response?

“Non-drowsy” antihistamine caused sleepiness. Counseling?

Infant acetaminophen concentration question—most accurate statement?

Insect bites with significant itch but intact skin—OTC plan?

Oral benzocaine sprays for sore throat—key warning?

Probiotics in immunocompromised patients?

Sore throat with fever and swollen tonsils for 4 days—OTC or referral?

Poison ivy rash within 1 hour of exposure—best immediate OTC action?