97ABUSE OF OVER-THE-COUNTER MEDICINES – AN OVERVIEWOver- the- counter drugs mainly do not need prescription. High incidence abuse is possible in the area of OTC medicine because there no legal restriction. Abuse is defined as the use of a drug to experience psychoactive effects instead of for its medical indication. Most commonly abused OTC medicines are dextromethorphan, diphenhydramine, acetaminophen etc. this would produce serious health effects. This article is focused on overview of abuse of over-thecounter (OTC) medicines.stjamesdruginfo@gmail.comReview622016Medicines,Health,OTCDawn VJ, K. Krishnakumar,L. PanayappanDepartment of Pharmacy Practice, St James College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chalakudy, Thrissur, Kerala, India. St James Hospital Trust Pharmaceutical Research Centre (DSIR Certified), Chalakudy, Thrissur, Kerala,,Department of Pharmacy Practice, St James College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chalakudy, Thrissur, Kerala, India. St James Hospital Trust Pharmaceutical Research Centre (DSIR Certified), Chalakudy, Thrissur, Kerala,