nonprescription

Thân thiện

A customer selects a nonprescription pain reliever from the pharmacy shelf.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Available for purchase without a doctor's written order: Describes a medicine or treatment that can be legally bought directly from a pharmacy or store without needing authorization from a medical professional.

Usage

• The term "nonprescription" is used specifically to classify medications and health products. It indicates that a product is considered safe and appropriate for use without direct medical supervision for self-treatable conditions.
• It is a formal term often used in legal, medical, and commercial contexts. In everyday conversation, the term "over-the-counter" (OTC) is more common.

Examples

• Adjective:
  • The pharmacist recommended a nonprescription pain reliever for my headache.
  • Many allergy medicines have become nonprescription in recent years.
  • Always read the label carefully before taking any nonprescription drug.

Advanced Usage

• Regulatory Distinction: The classification of a drug as prescription or nonprescription is determined by a national regulatory body (like the FDA in the United States). A "nonprescription" drug is deemed to have a lower risk of misuse and can be used safely by following the directions on the label.
• "Nonprescription" vs. "Behind-the-counter": In some regions, certain nonprescription drugs may be kept "behind the counter" at a pharmacy, meaning you must ask the pharmacist for them, but you still do not need a doctor's prescription.

Variants and Related Words

• Over-the-counter (OTC) (adjective/phrase): The most common synonym for "nonprescription," especially in informal and commercial contexts.
  • I bought some OTC cough syrup.
• Prescription (adjective/noun): The direct antonym, referring to drugs that require a doctor's authorization.
  • Antibiotics are usually prescription medicines.

Synonyms

• Over-the-counter (OTC)
• Available without a prescription

Antonyms

• Prescription
• Rx (a common abbreviation for prescription)

Học thuật

Adjective

1. purchasable without a doctor's prescription
   • nonprescription drugs
   • an over-the-counter cold remedy

Từ đồng nghĩa

• nonprescription
• over-the-counter