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OTC drug names-Is what you see really
what you get?
Take this quick quiz:
What are the active ingredients in each of these OTC medications?
A) Mylanta AR® B) Mylanta® cherry creme liquid C)
Mylanta® gas relief D) Mylanta® double strength
tablets
The answers might surprise you: A) famotidine; B) aluminum
hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, simethicone; C) simethicone;
D) calcium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide
How can products that contain such different ingredients
have the same brand name? Good question. A manufacturer with
a proven, successful brand name will put it on every product
possible because people recognize and buy brand name products.
That explains why there are so many products named Benadryl®,
Tylenol®, Bayer®, Anacin®, and on and on.
When buying OTC products, carefully read the label to be
sure that you are buying the ingredients you want. Don't buy
something just by the brand name. And ask your pharmacist
for help if you need it.
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