Medication Terms You Need to Know

Americans treat almost 40 percent of their everyday health problems themselves by taking over-the-counter (OTC) medicines. To use medicines safely, make sure you read, understand and follow the instructions carefully. Many of the words on medicine labels may be hard to understand. Use this guide of common terms used on OTC labels to help you choose and use medicines correctly.

Active ingredients. Ingredients that treat or cure symptoms.

Acute. Pain or symptoms that come on rapidly and last for a short time.

Adverse reaction. Any unexpected bad reaction to a normal dose of a medicine; a side effect.

Analgesic. A medicine that relieves painful symptoms, especially headache, muscle soreness and stiffness. Most nonprescription analgesics also reduce fever. Some analgesics are applied to the skin to relieve muscle pain.

Anaphylaxis. Severe sensitivity or reaction to something you might be allergic to, such as a bee sting; foods, including peas, peanuts or tree nuts; or a drug. Symptoms can include a rash, swelling, difficulty breathing and convulsions.

Antihistamine. A medicine that helps reduce allergy symptoms by blocking the action of histamine. Histamine is a substance in the body that can cause a runny nose, congestion, sneezing, red eyes and itching.

Chronic. Conditions or symptoms that last a long time or keep happening.

Contraindication. A symptom or condition that you have that doesn't mix well with a drug or treatment. For example, you shouldn't take decongestants if you have uncontrolled high blood pressure.

Drug interaction. When two or more medications are taken together and cause an unwanted reaction, or one interferes with the action of another medication.

Expiration date. Before this date, you can expect the medicine to retain its full strength and safety. You should throw away medicine that is past its expiration date.

Hypoallergenic. The medicine contains the fewest allergens possible to lessen the risk of allergic reactions.

Inactive ingredient. Any part of the medicine that doesn't help with healing; for example, added color or flavor in a medicine.

Nonsedating. A medicine that won't make you sleepy.

Topical. Medicines that are applied to the skin or hair, or wherever there are symptoms.