PlayInfoBox

Home /Education /The Difference Between OTC and Prescription Medications

The Difference Between OTC and Prescription Medications

Click on an entry to see the details.

  1. The criteria distinguishing OTC and prescription medications

    OTC (over-the-counter) medications can be purchased at a pharmacy without a doctor's prescription and have relatively well-established safety, while prescription medications are distinguished as medications that can only be purchased with a doctor's prescription.

  2. The difference between pharmacy-only OTC medications and convenience-store medications

    In South Korea, some OTC medications (such as pain and fever relievers and cold medicine) are designated as "everyday safety medications" that can also be purchased at convenience stores, but most OTC medications can only be purchased at a pharmacy.

  3. Why prescription medications require a doctor's prescription

    Prescription medications often carry a relatively higher risk of side effects or misuse, or require dosage and method adjusted to an individual's condition, so they are required to be prescribed by a doctor after a diagnosis.

  4. The fact that OTC medications can also be risky if misused

    Being an OTC medication doesn't mean there's no risk of side effects β€” even OTC medications can cause health problems if taken in excessive amounts over a long period without following the specified method and dosage.

  5. Characteristics of everyday safety medication items

    In South Korea, the everyday safety medications available at convenience stores are limited to a few categories β€” pain and fever relievers, cold medicine, digestive medicine, and topical patches β€” representing only a small fraction of all OTC medications.

  6. Why caution is still needed even for medications you can buy without a prescription

    Even medications you can buy without a prescription may carry a risk of interactions or side effects if you're taking other medications or have an underlying condition, so caution is needed.

  7. When you need to consult a professional

    If it's difficult to judge which medication is right for your situation, it's safer to consult a pharmacist or doctor rather than choosing on your own.

What's the difference between OTC and prescription medications?

Medications are divided into OTC medications, which can be purchased without a prescription, and prescription medications, which always require a prescription. This page is general educational information about these two categories and does not substitute for medical advice β€” if you have a specific medical condition or are taking other medications, always consult a doctor or pharmacist about which medication is appropriate.

Also check out antibiotics, a representative prescription medication

A representative example of a prescription medication is antibiotics β€” you can find out why they must always be taken according to a prescription and set principles in our guide to principles for taking antibiotics correctly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are all medications sold at convenience stores safe?

Even the everyday safety medications sold at convenience stores are OTC medications, so there is a risk of misuse β€” you should follow the specified method and dosage, and it's a good idea to consult a pharmacist if you have questions.

Can I take OTC medication without worrying about side effects?

No. Even OTC medications can cause health problems if taken in excessive amounts over a long period without following the specified method and dosage, so caution is needed.