Effective remedies for our everyday ailments are readily available as over-the-counter (OTC) medications we can pick up any time at the pharmacy or local grocery store. They are easy, relatively inexpensive fixes for headaches, cold and flu symptoms, constipation, diarrhea, and other minor infirmities the entire family can sometimes suffer.
Approximately 70 percent of Americans take OTC medications to treat their cold and flu symptoms. While OTC medications are considered generally safe, they come with risks, even when taken as directed.
A study conducted from 2017 to 2019 found that 26,735 people in the United States went to the emergency department for harm caused by taking OTC cough and cold medications, and over 60 percent took the OTC medications for reasons other than their intended use….