OTC drugs in the US

[brtlmj 0]

OK, let's start with a praise. Having lived in Poland, Germany and Ireland I love the availability and prices of OTC (over the counter - the stuff you can buy in a grocery store) drugs in the US. I especially appreciate the fact that no one forces me to buy ten pills at a time (when a hundred pills can be had for a similar price in the US). But, there is one exception...

I have a sore throat. So I went to a couple of stores and sure enough, each had at least half an aisle dedicated to sore throat. But nothing they have can actually help! It's all menthol, Benzocaine and similar anesthetists by a hundred names. Hey, pain relief is great. But what about something like Halset in Poland, or Strepsils in Ireland? Something that can kill those little buggers in my throat?

Does anyone know the reason for this? Some weird law? Or maybe a local custom?

[GabiandVi 34]

OK, let's start with a praise. Having lived in Poland, Germany and Ireland I love the availability and prices of OTC (over the counter - the stuff you can buy in a grocery store) drugs in the US. I especially appreciate the fact that no one forces me to buy ten pills at a time (when a hundred pills can be had for a similar price in the US). But, there is one exception...

I have a sore throat. So I went to a couple of stores and sure enough, each had at least half an aisle dedicated to sore throat. But nothing they have can actually help! It's all menthol, Benzocaine and similar anesthetists by a hundred names. Hey, pain relief is great. But what about something like Halset in Poland, or Strepsils in Ireland? Something that can kill those little buggers in my throat?

Does anyone know the reason for this? Some weird law? Or maybe a local custom?

Yeah. We have many more regulations for drugs in the US. It's a sort of chicken/egg question. Do we have more regulations because we are not to be trusted - we are irresponsible drug users. Or are we irresponsible drug users because we have more regulations - we are treated less trustworthy.

Having said that, I can buy antibiotics OTC here in China, and I don't care how responsible the majority of drug takers are, it only takes a few to create drug resistent strains of illnesses. I would rather they be prescription drugs in EVERY country.

[brtlmj 0]

I agree about antibiotics, but simple antiseptics should be available, I think...

[Krikit 1,164]

We can't get Strepsils in the US?!!! *adds Strepsils to Canadian shopping list*

[Flames9_RN 358]

Always come back with a grocery list from visiting canada,lol As we lI order my pet flea and heart meds from Australia!! Cheaper than here in the USA http://www.petsuppliesnet.com/shop.htm No prescriptions required!!

[GabiandVi 34]

We can't get Strepsils in the US?!!! *adds Strepsils to Canadian shopping list*

I don't remember the name of the antiseptic lozenge we used to suck when we were kids, but strepsils sounds familiar. However, my dad was an MD so maybe they were samples. I sort of doubt it though because he was an OB/GYN and I don't think the drug companies would have reason to give him antiseptic samples. Who knows . . .

Were they golden and had a mildly sweet taste, not super sweet like those cherry things that came in a box (ludens?), and they would numb your throat? Wasn't there also a pump spray for your throat named the same thing? Green, I think. I'm sure I've seen the pump at my parent's house in the last 5 or 6 years. That isn't an OTC drug?

[Leafgal 3]

Always come back with a grocery list from visiting canada,lol As we lI order my pet flea and heart meds from Australia!! Cheaper than here in the USA http://www.petsuppliesnet.com/shop.htm No prescriptions required!!

OMG that is half the price. Is the shipping 3.99 to the US?

[Reba 2]

Chloraseptic spray I think is an antiseptic, and I have bought it here in the US off the shelf (btw, otc and ots are 2 different things. OTC you have to actually ask the pharmacist behind the counter for it, off the shelf, you can grab it yourself and go. just nitpicky )

actually...curiosity got the better of me and I went to check the label on the Chloraseptic. The label says Oral Anesthetic, and nowhere says it contains an antiseptic, however the primary ingredient is Phenol, which is apparently a natural antiseptic.

from Wiki:

Phenol has antiseptic properties, and was used by Sir Joseph Lister (1827-1912) in his pioneering technique of antiseptic surgery, though the skin irritation caused by continual exposure to phenol eventually led to the substitution of aseptic (germ-free) techniques in surgery. It is also the active ingredient in some oral anesthetics such as Chloraseptic spray. Phenol was also the main ingredient of the Carbolic Smoke Ball, a device sold in London designed to protect the user against influenza and other ailments. In the early part of the 20th century, it was used in the Battle Creek Sanitarium to discourage female masturbation.[4]

Probably for labeling laws it does not say that it is an antiseptic. The FDA is weird about labels.

Edited March 29, 2008 by Reba

[Krikit 1,164]

We can't get Strepsils in the US?!!! *adds Strepsils to Canadian shopping list*

I don't remember the name of the antiseptic lozenge we used to suck when we were kids, but strepsils sounds familiar. However, my dad was an MD so maybe they were samples. I sort of doubt it though because he was an OB/GYN and I don't think the drug companies would have reason to give him antiseptic samples. Who knows . . .

Were they golden and had a mildly sweet taste, not super sweet like those cherry things that came in a box (ludens?), and they would numb your throat? Wasn't there also a pump spray for your throat named the same thing? Green, I think. I'm sure I've seen the pump at my parent's house in the last 5 or 6 years. That isn't an OTC drug?

My cousin was a pharmaceutical rep so I know they do trades with other reps for different products. That might be how your Dad got them. They have different flavours and, yes, they numb your throat BIG time. I think Reba's right.... the pump spray is Chloraseptic.

[Reba 2]

Always come back with a grocery list from visiting canada,lol As we lI order my pet flea and heart meds from Australia!! Cheaper than here in the USA http://www.petsuppliesnet.com/shop.htm No prescriptions required!!

and of course they don't have the Revolution dose for BIG dogs. That sucks.

[brtlmj 0]

Chloraseptic spray I think is an antiseptic, and I have bought it here in the US off the shelf (btw, otc and ots are 2 different things. OTC you have to actually ask the pharmacist behind the counter for it, off the shelf, you can grab it yourself and go. just nitpicky )

actually...curiosity got the better of me and I went to check the label on the Chloraseptic. The label says Oral Anesthetic, and nowhere says it contains an antiseptic, however the primary ingredient is Phenol, which is apparently a natural antiseptic.

Hey, you are right! Thanks! It's a pity that the spray tastes like an orange-flavoured Lysol, but if it works, I don't mind

[*julez* 124]

I highly recommend Cepacol Dual Throat Spray. I was really sick last week, with my throat feeling like razorblades were stuck it it, and one sprat of the Cepacol and my throat pain was relieved for hours!

[Flames9_RN 358]

Always come back with a grocery list from visiting canada,lol As we lI order my pet flea and heart meds from Australia!! Cheaper than here in the USA http://www.petsuppliesnet.com/shop.htm No prescriptions required!!

OMG that is half the price. Is the shipping 3.99 to the US?

yeppers!! I have used them for around 1.5 yrs now and they are great!!! On average shipping takes 10-14 days, have had it as fast as a week!! No problems at all

[Flames9_RN 358]

here is a few others, BUT have never used them:

http://www.carealotpets.com/

http://www.vetshoponline.com/index.cfm

http://www.entirelypets.com/fronplusford1.html

[Ephesia 0]

Right there with ya! We bought our dog's heartworm and flea medicine from our vet for the first and last time early last year. I almost cried when they charged $300.00 to our credit card. No more. We now buy Phoebe's drugs online from Australia.

Always come back with a grocery list from visiting canada,lol As we lI order my pet flea and heart meds from Australia!! Cheaper than here in the USA http://www.petsuppliesnet.com/shop.htm No prescriptions required!!