OTC
Grab-and-go medication
OTC stands for over-the-counter, describing medications available without a prescription or stocks traded outside major exchanges.
In pharmacy contexts, OTC drugs like aspirin and antihistamines contrast with prescription medications: Is that OTC or do I need to see a doctor?
In finance, OTC trading happens directly between parties rather than through centralized exchanges. (Lowercase otc is informal.)
Buyable without doctor's orders
- over-the-counterBuyable without medical authorization
- pharmacyMedicinal dispensary
- drugstoreRetail pharmacy outlet
- analgesicPain-relieving medication
antihistamine · painkiller · ibuprofen · acetaminophen · aspirin · decongestant · antacid · laxative
Retail pharmacy outlet
- pharmacyMedicinal dispensary
- supermarketSelf-service food retailer
- groceryFood retail shop
- shelfHorizontal storage surface
aisle · purchase · consumer · brand · generic · store-bought · checkout · availability
Buyable without medical authorization
- securitiesTradeable financial assets
- derivativesThings derived from another
- forexCurrency trading market
- unlistedNot in any registry
decentralized · dealer · counterparty · liquidity · settlement · clearing · exempt · unregulated
Essential organic nutrients
- supplementsExtra nutritional intake
- mineralsInorganic natural solids
- herbalRelating to medicinal plants
- probioticsLive microorganisms aiding digestion
zinc · elderberry · echinacea · multivitamin · immunity · preventive · daily · dietary
nonprescription
Buyable without doctor's orders
- over-the-counterBuyable without medical authorization
- pharmacyMedicinal dispensary
- drugstoreRetail pharmacy outlet
analgesic · antihistamine · painkiller · ibuprofen · acetaminophen · aspirin · decongestant · antacid · laxative · remedy
drugstore
Retail pharmacy outlet
- pharmacyMedicinal dispensary
- supermarketSelf-service food retailer
- groceryFood retail shop
shelf · aisle · purchase · consumer · brand · generic · store-bought · checkout · availability · stock
over-the-counter
Buyable without medical authorization
- securitiesTradeable financial assets
- derivativesThings derived from another
- forexCurrency trading market
unlisted · decentralized · dealer · counterparty · liquidity · settlement · clearing · exempt · unregulated · microcap
vitamins
Essential organic nutrients
- supplementsExtra nutritional intake
- mineralsInorganic natural solids
- herbalRelating to medicinal plants
probiotics · zinc · elderberry · echinacea · multivitamin · immunity · preventive · daily · dietary · natural
- pharmacypharmacist, pharmacy, prescription, dispensing, prescriptions
- Business AcronymsSKU, UPC, CEO, COO, POS
- pharmacologypharmacology, drugs, pharmacokinetics, dose, drug
- Medicinespill, tablet, aspirin, tablets, penicillin
- Medical AbbreviationsBP, CBC, CPR, CT, DNA
- pharmaceuticalsanalgesics, medicines, anesthetics, pills, acetaminophen
OTCprescription
Medical dispensing authorization
Rx · prescription drug · prescription medication · behind the counter · controlled substance