How do you use "Over the counter" in a sentence?

You can get that over the counter at Boots. It's an over-the-counter remedy. Try something over the counter first.

Over the counter

Q: What does "Over the counter" mean?

Medication available without a prescription. 'Over-the-counter' medicines can be bought at pharmacies or shops without a doctor's prescription. Paracetamol, ibuprofen, antihistamines are common examples. Less regulated than prescription medicines.

Slang Term BritishAmericanAustralian ★★★★★ Very Common Neutral

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Meaning: Medication available without a prescription.

无需处方即可购买的药物。

Medicamento disponible sin receta.

処方箋なしで買える薬。

처방전 없이 살 수 있는 약.

'Over-the-counter' medicines can be bought at pharmacies or shops without a doctor's prescription. Paracetamol, ibuprofen, antihistamines are common examples. Less regulated than prescription medicines.

「over-the-counter」的药品可以在药店或商店直接购买，不需要医生处方。扑热息痛、布洛芬、抗组胺药是常见的例子。比处方药的管制要宽松。

Los medicamentos «over-the-counter» se pueden comprar en farmacias o tiendas sin receta médica. Paracetamol, ibuprofeno y antihistamínicos son ejemplos habituales. Tienen menos restricciones que los medicamentos con receta.

「over-the-counter」の薬は医師の処方箋なしで薬局や店で買える。パラセタモール、イブプロフェン、抗ヒスタミン薬などが一般的。処方薬より規制が緩い。

'Over-the-counter' 약은 의사 처방전 없이 약국이나 상점에서 구입할 수 있는 약이다. 파라세타몰, 이부프로펜, 항히스타민제 등이 대표적이다. 처방약보다 규제가 덜하다.

Examples

You can get that over the counter at Boots.
那个在Boots不用处方就能买到
Eso lo puedes comprar sin receta en Boots
「それはBootsで処方箋なしで買えるよ」
그건 Boots에서 처방전 없이 살 수 있어.
It's an over-the-counter remedy.
那是非处方药
Es un medicamento sin receta
「市販薬だよ」
시판 약이야.
Try something over the counter first.
先试试非处方药
Prueba primero con algo sin receta
「まず市販薬を試してみたら」
먼저 약국에서 살 수 있는 약을 써봐.

Pronunciation

/ˈəʊvə ðə ˈkaʊntə/

Usage Guide

Context: pharmacy, medication, self-treatment

Tone: practical, commercial

✓ Do Say

Over the counter
非处方的
sin receta
市販の
일반 의약품
OTC
非处方药
sin receta
市販薬
일반 의약품
Available over the counter
无需处方即可购买
disponible sin receta
処方箋なしで購入可能
처방전 없이 구매 가능한

Common Mistakes

Still need to ask pharmacist for some—not all on open shelves

Origin & History

From pharmacy practice where medicines are passed 'over the counter' without needing a prescription. Contrasts with prescription-only medicines that require authorisation.

Etymology: Pharmacy practice: handed over the counter directly

First recorded: 20th century commercial term

Cultural Context

Era: 20th century

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: Pharmacy practice

Regional notes: Universal commercial term.

Variations

Over the counterOTCOver-the-counter