These are drugs that can be bought without having a prescription.  They are used to relieve minor sickness without consulting a doctor.  In Canada, more than 1,500 different kinds of non-prescription drugs are sold.

They include:

• ANALGESICS - taken to help relieve pain.
• ANTACIDS - taken to help relieve upset stomach, indigestion and heartburn.
• COUGH AND COLD REMEDIES - taken to help relieve various cold symptoms.
• LAXATIVES - taken to help relieve irregularity or constipation.

Like other drugs, non-prescription drugs can sometimes cause problems.