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May 20, 2013
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Prescription Medications

Medical Author:
Omudhome Ogbru, PharmD

Dr. Ogbru received his Doctorate in Pharmacy from the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy in 1995. He completed a Pharmacy Practice Residency at the University of Arizona/University Medical Center in 1996. He was a Professor of Pharmacy Practice and a Regional Clerkship Coordinator for the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy from 1996-99.

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Medical Editor:
Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD
Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD
Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD

Dr. Charles "Pat" Davis, MD, PhD, is a board certified Emergency Medicine doctor who currently practices as a consultant and staff member for hospitals. He has a PhD in Microbiology (UT at Austin), and the MD (Univ. Texas Medical Branch, Galveston). He is a Clinical Professor (retired) in the Division of Emergency Medicine, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, and has been the Chief of Emergency Medicine at UT Medical Branch and at UTHSCSA with over 250 publications.

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Prescription Medications Overview

All medications sold in the United States can be divided into two categories:

  • Prescription medications that require a prescription from an authorized prescriber (for example, doctor, nurse practitioner, dentist, etc).

  • Nonprescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medications that do not require a prescription from an authorized prescriber (for example, doctor, nurse practitioner, dentist, etc).

Prescription medications are generally more potent than those sold over-the-counter (OTC), and may have more serious side effects and drug interactions if inappropriately used. Therefore, these medications are only sold under a prescriber's direction. These directions are written or typed on a prescription by the prescriber, then double-checked, packaged, and sold to you by a pharmacist.

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Read What Your Physician is Reading on Medscape

Generic Drug Approvals Index »

The FDA has approved first-time generic formulations for oxycodone hydrochloride and ibuprofen tablets in 5 mg/400 mg strength, extended phenytoin sodium capsules in 30-mg strength, and fomepizole injectable in 1 g/mL strength.

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