Medication Information

Non-prescription medications

Non-prescription medications Medications that you can get without a prescription. May include over-the-counter medications and natural health products. , such as natural health products Naturally occurring substances that can be used in products to maintain or restore health. Common natural health products include vitamins, minerals, and substances that come from a natural source (e.g., omega-3 fatty acids). and over-the-counter A medication that can be bought without a prescription (doctor’s orders). For example, acetaminophen. medications, may be used to help manage different secondary conditions A mental or physical health condition that occurs because of a primary health condition. that are experienced.

Natural health products

Natural health products Naturally occurring substances that can be used in products to maintain or restore health. Common natural health products include vitamins, minerals, and substances that come from a natural source (e.g., omega-3 fatty acids). are defined as “naturally occurring substances used to restore or maintain good health” (About Natural Health Products – Canada.ca).

Natural health products Naturally occurring substances that can be used in products to maintain or restore health. Common natural health products include vitamins, minerals, and substances that come from a natural source (e.g., omega-3 fatty acids). are often made from plants, but can also be made from animals, marine sources, or microorganisms.

They can come in a variety of forms which may include:

  • Capsules
  • Solutions
  • Creams
  • Ointments
  • Drops

Natural health products Naturally occurring substances that can be used in products to maintain or restore health. Common natural health products include vitamins, minerals, and substances that come from a natural source (e.g., omega-3 fatty acids). may include:

  • Vitamins, minerals, or probiotics (e.g., multivitamin)
  • Herbal remedies
  • Homeopathic medicines
  • Traditional medicines (e.g. Chinese or Ayurvedic medicines)
  • Certain sunscreens, toothpastes, and shampoos with health claims

Health Canada regulates natural health products Naturally occurring substances that can be used in products to maintain or restore health. Common natural health products include vitamins, minerals, and substances that come from a natural source (e.g., omega-3 fatty acids). to ensure they are safe and effective. Only products that have an eight-digit Natural Product Number (NPN) or a Homeopathic Medicine Number (DIN-HM) on the label have been approved by Health Canada. There is a Licensed Natural Health Products Database, which contains all of the natural health products Naturally occurring substances that can be used in products to maintain or restore health. Common natural health products include vitamins, minerals, and substances that come from a natural source (e.g., omega-3 fatty acids). licensed by Health Canada.

A bottle of magnesium citrate 150 mg high absorption healthy bones & muscle function capsules. The NPN label is pointed to by an arrow
A Stodal dry and wet honey cough syrup label, with the DIN-HM label being highlighted by a red rectangular outline.

Natural health products Naturally occurring substances that can be used in products to maintain or restore health. Common natural health products include vitamins, minerals, and substances that come from a natural source (e.g., omega-3 fatty acids). are typically sold without a prescription. However, in some cases (and depending on the provincial regulations), a naturopath may prescribe, dispense, and compound natural health products Naturally occurring substances that can be used in products to maintain or restore health. Common natural health products include vitamins, minerals, and substances that come from a natural source (e.g., omega-3 fatty acids). .

Natural health products Naturally occurring substances that can be used in products to maintain or restore health. Common natural health products include vitamins, minerals, and substances that come from a natural source (e.g., omega-3 fatty acids). can have side effects Unwanted or unexpected reactions to a medication or treatment. and can potentially interact with other medications. It is recommended to look for the NPN or DIN-HM on the label and speak with a healthcare provider before buying or starting any new natural health products Naturally occurring substances that can be used in products to maintain or restore health. Common natural health products include vitamins, minerals, and substances that come from a natural source (e.g., omega-3 fatty acids). .

Over-the-counter medications

Over-the-counter A medication that can be bought without a prescription (doctor’s orders). For example, acetaminophen. medications can be bought (from a pharmacy, grocery store, convenience store, online, etc.) without a prescription. They are commonly used for treating or managing pain, cold and flu symptoms, constipation, diarrhea, infections, sleep, and allergies. Examples of common over-the-counter A medication that can be bought without a prescription (doctor’s orders). For example, acetaminophen. medications include:

  • ibuprofen (Advil)
  • acetaminophen (Tylenol)

Like natural health products Naturally occurring substances that can be used in products to maintain or restore health. Common natural health products include vitamins, minerals, and substances that come from a natural source (e.g., omega-3 fatty acids). , Health Canada regulates over-the-counter A medication that can be bought without a prescription (doctor’s orders). For example, acetaminophen. medications to ensure they are safe and work well (effective). Over-the-counter A medication that can be bought without a prescription (doctor’s orders). For example, acetaminophen. medications can have side effects Unwanted or unexpected reactions to a medication or treatment. and can potentially interact with other medications. It is recommended to read the label and speak with a healthcare provider before buying or starting any new over-the-counter A medication that can be bought without a prescription (doctor’s orders). For example, acetaminophen. medications.

Be aware if you are taking medications with similar ingredients. For example:

  • If you take Tylenol for arthritis pain and then get the flu, you may want to take an over-the-counter A medication that can be bought without a prescription (doctor’s orders). For example, acetaminophen. medication like Nyquil to help with your symptoms. Nyquil also contains acetaminophen, which is also the active ingredient in Tylenol. This can put you at risk of liver damage from too much acetaminophen.
  • If you take over-the-counter A medication that can be bought without a prescription (doctor’s orders). For example, acetaminophen. ibuprofen (e.g., Advil) with a prescription anti-inflammatory medicine, you may experience side effects Unwanted or unexpected reactions to a medication or treatment. .

Always discuss all the medications you are taking with your healthcare provider to avoid duplicating doses and/or increasing potentially negative effects.

Non-prescription medications and SCI/D

Non-prescription medications Medications that you can get without a prescription. May include over-the-counter medications and natural health products. are often used by individuals with SCI/D Spinal cord injury or dysfunction. for:

  • Pain
  • Muscle spasms
  • Inflammation
  • Constipation
  • Allergies
  • Sleep

The most common non-prescription medications Medications that you can get without a prescription. May include over-the-counter medications and natural health products. used among the SCI/D Spinal cord injury or dysfunction. population include:

  • Vitamins and minerals
  • Analgesics and anti-inflammatories
  • Gas relievers
  • Stool softeners and laxatives A class of medications taken to loosen stool to produce a bowel movement and relieve constipation.
  • Others (allergy and congestion, overactive bladder, contraceptives, vision, wound care, insomnia)

It is important to consult with your healthcare provider about non-prescription medications Medications that you can get without a prescription. May include over-the-counter medications and natural health products. to ensure they are safe to use with other medications you may be taking, and to talk about any questions or concerns that you may have.

References

Gupta, S., Dhawan, J., McColl, M. A., Smith, K., & McColl, A. (2022). Use and costs of nonprescription medications among people with spinal cord injury. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Process of assessment, treatment and management to help a person who has suffered an illness or injury restore lost skills and improve. , 103(7), 1279–1284. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2021.12.030

Health Canada. (2022, December 19). Regulation of non-prescription drugs. https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/self-care-regulation-non-prescription-drugs.html  

Health Canada. (2023, December 15). Natural health products Naturally occurring substances that can be used in products to maintain or restore health. Common natural health products include vitamins, minerals, and substances that come from a natural source (e.g., omega-3 fatty acids). . https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/natural-non-prescription.html