Ask Your Pharmacist

As a pharmacist, I have been asked different questions about OTCs, these are some of the questions and how I would answer them for the best benefit of my patients.

Pain management

1. Which one works better for headache Ibuprofen or Tylenol?

It depends on the type of headache and underlying conditions.

If the headache is related to muscle or neck stiffness, nasal congestion or inflammation, Ibuprofen works better but needs to be taken with food to prevent stomach irritation.
If you have cardiovascular problems or sensitive stomach, Tylenol is a safer option.

2. Is it safe to take Tylenol (Acetaminophen) with Ibuprofen at the same time?
Yes, you can safely take both as long as you follow correct dosing. The best combination is if you use small doses of each to enhance effectiveness and reduce the side effects.

3. Is there a combo formula that contains both Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen?

Yes, Advil dual action contains both Ibuprofen and acetaminophen in low doses to provide more potent pain relief while reducing the side effects.

4.What is the best medication for kids’ fever?

Fever could be a sign of an infection, but it is always important to manage fever, especially in younger ages, Tylenol suspension or Ibuprofen suspension could be used. Both are effective if given in the doses indicated for kid’s age, make sure you follow dose instructions on the package.

3. Is it important to take Ibuprofen with food?
Ibuprofen can irritate the stomach lining, having it with food reduces the direct contact of the medication with the stomach lining.

5. Which one is better for pain, Ibuprofen or Naproxen?
If you are looking for immediate relief, take Ibuprofen, it works faster but does not last long, making it better for short-term pain management. Naproxen takes time to produce effect, but it lasts longer and preferred for longer treatment duration than Ibuprofen.

6. Is Ibuprofen safe?
It is relatively safe, but avoid it if you’ve had ulcers, stomach bleeding, limit use if you have kidney problems, high blood pressure or other cardiovascular issues.

8. What can I use for muscle pain?

Topicals are mostly effective in muscle pain, products such as diclofenac gel, Aleve spray, Icy-hot are the most effective, but they require effective rubbing to be absorbed.

For pharmacist detailed recommendations, visit Headache and Pain relief page

Cough, Cold & Congestion

1. What is the difference between dry cough and productive cough treatment?

Dry cough needs cough suppressants to stop it such as dextromethorphan, but productive cough medicines are mostly intended to help dissolve and cough out the mucous such as guaifenesin.

2. There are several cough medicines and they contain many ingredients; how can I choose?

True, it depends on your kind of cough, if it is dry, productive or mixed with other symptoms.

3. My cough is fluctuating between dry and mucous productive, what should I do?

I recommend using an expectorant for mucous while awake to clear the chest out, and a suppressant at night to calm down the cough reflex.

4. My nose is totally blocked. What actually works to open it?
There are several nasal sprays that can help like oxymetazoline, but don’t use them for more than 3 days in a row to prevent rebound congestion.

5. Why doesn’t phenylephrine (PE) do anything for my congestion?

It is a mild decongestant, and it is more effective in combinations. But it could also raise blood pressure.

6. When should I see a doctor about my cough?
If it lasts more than 3 weeks or comes with fever, wheezing, blood, or shortness of breath.

For pharmacist detailed recommendations, visit Cough and Cold relief page.

Allergy Relief
1. Is there a non-drowsy allergy pill?

Yes, antihistamines have different tendencies to cause sedation, Benadryl for instance is drowsier that cetirizine, with the least drowsy fexofenadine.

2. Which one is better for seasonal allergies?

Long-acting non-sedating antihistamines are better for seasonal allergy management such as fexofenadine and loratadine.

3. Is there any nasal spray that works for seasonal allergies?

Steroidal nasal sprays are the preferred option for long-term seasonal management of allergy with less side effects such as triamcinolone nasal spray.

4. Can I take an allergy pill and use a spray at the same time?
Yes — combining them actually works better for many people.

5. Are there over-the-counter eye drops for a red eye?

Antihistamine eye drops like ketotifen can help with red watery eyes.

For pharmacist-detailed recommendations, visit Allergy relief page.

Digestive Relief

1. Is there a good medication for gas and bloating?
There are several medications that work differently to provide relief based on the reason of bloating.

2. Which one works faster for heartburn, Tums or Pepcid?

If you need quick relief, antacids are the immediate choice as they neutralize the gastric acidity

3. Should I use Pepcid or omeprazole for frequent heartburn?
Depending on your symptoms, how severe or frequent, Omeprazole is mostly for frequent and/or severe heartburn.

4. What is the best over the counter for constipation?

The choice depends on many factors including the reason and severity of constipation.

5.What really works for IBS symptoms?
It is not a single answer, Simethicone helps gas, peppermint oil eases cramps, MiraLAX helps IBS-C, and Imodium helps IBS-D.

6.Is there any effective treatment for hemorrhoids over the counter?

There are several options available, numbing agents, pain medications, steroids and more and selection is based on your condition.

For pharmacist-detailed recommendations, visit Gut and digestive issues.

Sleep & Relaxation

1. Is there a sleep medicine without a prescription?

Actually, there are several options available such as melatonin and doxylamine. The choice depends on preferences and potential side effects.

4. Is melatonin a strong medicine for sleep?

Melatonin does not induce sleep; it regulates the sleep cycle.

4. I cannot maintain my night sleep, I wake up in the middle of the night, what can I take for that?
Doxylamine is a long-acting sleep medicine and may help you stay asleep longer.

For pharmacist-detailed recommendations, visit Sleep disturbance page

Skin, Rash & Wound Care

1. What is the best over the counter medication for rash?

There are several options available, hydrocortisone is the most commonly used for rapid relief of rash.

2. Is there a non-burning disinfectant for wounds or burns?

Betadine is an effective disinfectant without burning or stinging sensation.

3. Is there quick relief for bug bites?

Yes, there are topical and oral medications that can help mitigate the swelling and itchiness such as diphenhydramine oral and topical.

4. Is there a treatment for eczema without a prescription?

Yes, there are many products that can resolve and prevent eczema over the counter such as Urea products.

For pharmacist-detailed recommendations, visit Skin care page

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