drugs
Precautions With Over the Counter Drugs
Drug Overlap
Another potential problem is drug overlap. Over-the-counter products used to treat different problems may contain the same active ingredient. Unless people read the labels on everything they take, they can accidentally overdose themselves. For example, a person who takes a sleep aid and a cold remedy, both of which containdiphenhydramine, may take double the dose considered safe. Many products containacetaminophen. A person who simultaneously takes two different products that containacetaminophen—one for a headache and another for allergies or sinus problems—may exceed the recommended dose. 