Quiz

 BuzzFeed News Reporter

Health

Tylenol, Advil, Motrin. They're all the same right?

Do You Actually Know What These Common Medicines Do?

Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines are drugs that you buy at the pharmacy without a prescription — so basically all of the medicines you see on the store's shelves. FYI: While this quiz will test your knowledge of OTC medications, it's not intended to be a comprehensive guide to using them or treating specific health problems. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have any questions about using or starting OTC medicines and always follow the directions and warnings that are printed on the labels.

[Acetaminophen](http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/InformationbyDrugClass/ucm165107.htm) is the active ingredient and also the generic form of Tylenol. It helps relieve pain and fever. Acetaminophen can also be found inside hundreds of other OTC medicines for various ailments, such as those for cold and flu.

It's acetaminophen.

What's the active ingredient in Tylenol? (Hint: It's also the generic name!)

[Ibuprofen](https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682159.html) is the active ingredient and also the generic version of Advil. It works by blocking the production of substances in the body that cause fever, inflammation, and pain — whether that means stiff joints or headaches.

It's ibuprofen.

What's the active ingredient in Advil?

[Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)](https://medlineplus.gov/painrelievers.html) help relieve fever and pain and can reduce swelling from muscle strains or arthritis. Over-the-counter NSAIDs include ibuprofen and naproxen (Aleve).

NSAIDs are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Advil is in a class of drugs called NSAIDs. What does NSAID stand for?

Mixing alcohol with either of these [OTC pain medications](https://www.buzzfeed.com/carolynkylstra/alcohol-and-medicine-interactions?utm_term=.fcQB0QlAoX#.kl3Pj7w41a) — or even drugs that just contain these, like cold meds — can negatively affect your health. For example, mixing alcohol with acetaminophen can cause serious [liver damage](https://www.tylenol.com/safety-dosing/faq). 
Likewise, the [FDA](http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/PostmarketDrugSafetyInformationforPatientsandProviders/ucm125225.htm) says that your risk for stomach bleeding will go up if you're taking ibuprofen or other NSAIDs and have more than three drinks a day. So just don't do it.

It isn't safe to mix alcohol with ibuprofen or acetaminophen!

You shouldn't drink alcohol while taking \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ .

[Antihistamines](https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000549.htm) help to relieve symptoms of allergies or allergic reactions, such as congestion, runny nose, sneezing, hives, and itchy or watery eyes. They work by blocking the production of histamines, which our body releases in response to an allergen. Antihistamines are classified as either first-generation (which cause drowsiness) or second-generation, which are nondrowsy, so they can be taken whenever your allergies are acting up.

Antihistamines treat allergy symptoms.

What do antihistamines do?

[Doxylamine](https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682537.html) is a first-generation antihistamine used to treat allergies. All the others can be taken to relieve pain, although each of them works differently to do so. Aspirin can also be taken in low doses each day to prevent heart attack and stroke.

Doxylamine is not taken to relieve pain.

Which of the following drugs is not taken to relieve pain?

Immodium contains [loperamide](https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682280.html), which can treat symptoms of acute diarrhea or travelers' diarrhea. You usually take it after each instance of diarrhea, and it works by slowing down your bowel movements. It's best for short-term use or occasional episodes. It isn't used to treat chronic diarrhea from intestinal disorders (those require prescription meds), and it also isn't meant for anyone who has constipation problems.

Immodium can help control severe diarrhea.

Which of these medicines can help control a sudden case of diarrhea?

[Bisacodyl](https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a601027.html) is a laxative that works in the bowel to relieve constipation. [Melatonin](https://familydoctor.org/melatonin/?adfree=true) is a synthetic hormone that helps control your sleep cycle and Unisom is the brand name for the generic medicine [doxylamine succinate](https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682537.html) (also ZzzQuil), which is an antihistamine used to treat short-term insomnia.

Bisacodyl is not a sleep aid!

Which of the following is not used as a sleep aid?

[Guaifenesin](https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682494.html) (Mucinex, Tussin) is in a class of OTC drugs called "expectorants," which help relieve chest congestion by thinning the trapped mucus so that it's easier to cough it up and clear the airways. Guaifenesin only helps control the symptoms of congestion but it doesn't treat the underlying cause, which could be a cold, virus, flu, or allergies.

Guaifenesin thins mucus to relieve chest congestion.

What does the medicine guaifenesin do?

[Antacids](https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000198.htm) (Tums, Rolaids, Mylanta) are used to help relieve heartburn or sour stomach caused by indigestion. They can be taken in chewable tablet, pill, or liquid form, and work by neutralizing stomach acid and balancing the gastric pH to reduce heartburn. Some antacids contain ingredients that can actually cause diarrhea, such as magnesium.

Antacids relieve heartburn.

What do antacids do?

[Clotrimazole](https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682753.html) is an antifungal medication used to treat yeast infections in the skin, like athlete's foot, jock itch, and ringworm, as well as yeast infections in the vagina or mouth (thrush). It's usually sold as a cream, which you apply to the skin for several weeks until the fungus is killed.

Clotrimazole helps treat athlete's foot.

Which one of these medicines would be used to treat a case of athlete's foot?

Flonase, generically known as [fluticasone](https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a695002.html), is a nasal spray that treats symptoms of allergies or hay fever like sneezing and an itchy, runny, or stuffy nose. Flonase is in a class of drugs called corticosteroids, which act like our body's steroid hormones to block substances that cause allergy symptoms and inflammation.

Flonase relieves sneezing and congestion from allergies.

What does Flonase do?

[Dextromethorphan](https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682492.html) (Delsym, Robitussin) is used to temporarily suppress or relieve coughing. It's in a class of drugs called antitussives, and it works by decreasing activity in the area of the brain that causes coughing. It only treats coughing as a symptom and it does not treat the underlying condition such as the common cold, flu, or allergies.

Dextromethorphan is used to relieve coughing.

Which medicine is used to suppress or relieve coughing fits?

[Bismuth subsalicylate](https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a607040.html) (Pepto-Bismol, Kaopectate) is used to temporarily relieve indigestion, upset stomach, mild diarrhea, and heartburn. It's an antidiarrheal agent that works by reducing inflammation in the intestines, decreasing the amount of fluids flowing into the bowels, and sometimes, by killing the bacteria that causes diarrhea. You can take it in liquid, pill, or chewable tablet form.

Bismuth subsalicylate treats these upset stomach symptoms.

What's the medicine used to treat upset stomach, heartburn, and mild diarrhea?

Benadryl contains the active ingredient [diphenhydramine](https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682539.html), which can help relieve sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, and airway irritation that arises from allergies or a cold. Benadryl can relieve allergy symptoms but it does not treat the underlying allergy. It's a first-generation antihistamine, so it causes drowsiness and can also be used to treat insomnia.

You'd take Benadryl to treat the symptoms of an allergic reaction!

Which of the following is a popular antihistamine used to treat allergic reactions?

Alavert and Claratin contain the active ingredient [loratadine](https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a697038.html), Zyrtec contains [cetirizine](https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a698026.html), and Allegra contains [fexofenadine](https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a697035.html). All of these block histamines, which cause allergy symptoms such as runny nose, hives, or itchy eyes. But they are all second-generation antihistamines, so they do not cause drowsiness and can be taken daily to prevent seasonal allergies.

All of these medicines are nondrowsy.

Which of the following antihisamines can you take daily because it won't make you sleepy?

[Pseudoephedrine](https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682619.html) (Sudafed) can help relieve nasal congestion and sinus pressure caused by colds or allergies. It's in a class of drugs called nasal decongestants, which work by narrowing the blood vessels in the nasal passages to reduce inflammation and congestion. It can help symptoms but it does not treat the underlying conditions that cause sinus problems.

Pseudoephedrine is used for sinus congestion.

What is pseudoephedrine used for?

[Simethicone](https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682683.html) (Mylanta Gas, Phazyme) is used to temporarily treat discomfort, bloating, and pressure caused by excess gas in the stomach or intestines. It's an anti-foaming agent that works by combining small gas bubbles in the stomach into bigger ones so that the gas is easily passed through farts. Simethicone only helps gas leave the body — it does not prevent the formation of gas in the digestive tract, which can happen from allergies, overeating, or other conditions.

Simethicone is used to treat bloating and gas.

If you're bloated and gassy, which medicine would you use?

Dramamine, or the generic [dimenhydrinate](https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a607046.html), is used to treat or prevent symptoms of motion sickness, such as nausea, dizziness, and vomiting. It's an antihistamine and it works by preventing problems with your body's balance. It can cause drowsiness, so read the warning label before taking.

Dramamine is used to help motion sickness.

Which medication can help with nausea and vomiting from motion sickness?

There is no universal expiration date for over-the-counter pills. Every individual bottle or packet of pills is printed with its own expiration date on the label. Always make sure to read the labels carefully and pay attention to expiration dates on your medication.

This is false.

True or false: All over-the-counter pills expire after 12 months.

So you might get a little lost in the medicine aisle, but don't worry — nobody's perfect and that's why medicines have labels to explain what they're for! You can also always ask the pharmacist any questions you have about medicines, although it wouldn't hurt to review the basics.

You're pretty clueless about medicines!

When it comes to OTC medicines, you definitely know a thing or two. But you still might need help from a pharmacist at times — or else you'll have to spend a while reading labels.

You know your way around the medicine aisle.

Congrats! Are you literally a pharmacist? You know A LOT about over-the-counter medicines and you'd probably know exactly what's needed to treat any symptom. But if you're not ACTUALLY a pharmacist, it can't hurt to consult one if you have any questions.

You might as well be a pharmacist!

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Do You Actually Know What These Common Medicines Do?

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