The Food and Drug Administration approved Rx-to-OTC switches in 1975. Since then, 102 formulas have been approved for general sale. The drugs treat some of the most common ailments and conditions: allergies, indigestion, constipation and insomnia. Today, it's hard to imagine that a prescription was once required for hydrocortisone or ibuprofen. But a review of Rx-to-OTC medications approved over the years by federal regulators provides a telling glimpse of how far the industry has progressed in 35 years.
| PRODUCT EXAMPLE | CATEGORY | OTC APPROVAL |
|---|---|---|
| DIMETAPP | antihistamine | Sept. 1976 |
| UNISOM | sleep aid | Oct. 1978 |
| SUCRETS MAXIMUM STRENGTH | oral anesthetic | May 1982 |
| LOTRIMIN AF | anti-fungal | Oct. 1989 |
| ALEVE | internal analgesic | Jan. 1994 |
| PEPSID AC | acid reducer | April 1995 |
| ROGAINE | hair grower | Feb. 1996 |
| NICORETTE | smoking cessation | Feb. 1996 |
| MUCINEX | expectorant | July 2002 |
| ZEGERID OTC | acid reducer | Dec. 2009 |
| SOURCE: Consumer Healthcare Products Association | ||
