




FDA Center for Drug Evaluation and Research |


It’s about safe use, misuse and abuse.
Prescription and over-the-counter medicines (OTC) have never been more plentiful – or confusing. Americans have billions of prescriptions filled every year, and take billions more OTC drugs and supplements.More and more young people are abusing easily available prescription drugs, as well as OTC medications like cough syrup (1 in 5 have abused painkillers; 1 in 10 cough medicine).
Drugs are powerful chemicals that have to be treated with respect. Educate yourself and your children about the promise and peril of all drugs.
Want to know more? Watch the video.
How drugs work in the body |


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Drugs Are Everywhere |
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Katie's Story |
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What Can I Do About It? |
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Senior Stories |
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Julie's Story |
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What Is It? |
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