Over The Counter Medicine

Over The Counter Medicine covers the remedies available without a prescription — pain relief, antacids, antihistamines, cough and cold preparations, antiseptics and antifungals.

Using OTC Medicines Safely

• Read the leaflet, including the maximum daily dose. Paracetamol in particular is in a great many combination cold and flu products, and taking those alongside plain paracetamol is the commonest way people exceed a safe dose. Paracetamol overdose causes liver damage that may not show symptoms for a day or two.

• Anti-inflammatory painkillers are not harmless. They irritate the stomach lining and affect the kidneys. Take them with food, at the lowest effective dose, for the shortest time.

• Tell your pharmacist what else you take. Interactions with prescription medicines are common.

• Do not self-treat for weeks. Anything needing OTC medication most days for more than a week or two needs a diagnosis, not a bigger pack.

• Paediatric doses are by weight. Never give adult medicine to a child, and never estimate.

Antibiotics Are Not in This Category, and Why That Matters

Do not take antibiotics without a prescription. They do nothing for viral illness — which is most coughs, colds and sore throats — and taking them unnecessarily, or stopping a course early, is one of the main ways drug resistance spreads. Bangladesh has a real and growing problem with this, and it is one where individual decisions genuinely add up.

What to Keep at Home

Paracetamol, an antihistamine, an antacid, oral rehydration salts, an antiseptic, plasters and dressings, and a digital thermometer. Keep everything in one place, out of reach of children, and check the dates twice a year. Store medicines cool and dry — not in a bathroom cabinet, where heat and humidity degrade them faster than anywhere else in the house.

Shopping This Category

• Every listing states what we actually know — size, quantity, country of origin, and the specification the manufacturer publishes. Where a detail is not available, the page says so instead of filling the space.

• Compare pack size, not just price. A larger pack is usually cheaper per unit; a small one is the sensible way to try something new.

• Delivery across Bangladesh, with cash on delivery available in most areas.

• Ask us if a listing does not answer your question. We would rather check than guess, and we correct a listing when we find it wrong.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take paracetamol and an anti-inflammatory together?

They work differently and are often taken together on advice. Ask your pharmacist, and be careful of combination cold products that already contain paracetamol.

When should I see a doctor instead?

For a fever lasting more than three days, breathlessness, severe pain, symptoms getting worse rather than better, or anything needing daily medication for more than a week or two.

Is medicine past its expiry date safe?

Do not take it. Some medicines lose potency and some degrade into something you do not want. Return unused medicines to a pharmacy where you can.

How do I know the product is genuine?

Check the seal, the batch number and the expiry printed on the pack itself rather than on a sticker over it. Everything we sell is sourced to arrive sealed and within date, and if what you receive does not match the listing we will put it right.

How much shelf life will it have?

We stock to arrive well within date and do not knowingly ship anything close to expiry. If you need a specific minimum for a particular order, ask before placing it and we will check the batch.