how old to buy over the counter drugs?

Question

i'm 15 years old and i was wondering how old i needed to be to buy over the counter drugs.

i was diagnosed with an anxiety disorder and i went off medication because of all the horrible side effects it gave me. anyways i wanted to buy st. johns wort (natural anxiety/depression medication), but i don't want to worry my family.

i live in new york

Answer 1

Unless you are trying to purchase over the counter meds used in meth, you should be okay buying herbal meds at your age. Be careful, though, because taking over the counter drugs the wrong way can cause heath problems too.

Also, too bad the side effects of your anxiety meds are too much. Maybe talking to your doctor can help with that. They can reduce your meds or try something different. Or, it might just take time for your body to adjust to your meds.

St. John's typically used with depression. I've not heard it being used effectively with anxiety. Try calling a pharmacist or natural foods store for more info on finding the best supplement for you. But know, you aren't being treated for your illness unless you go through your doctor.

Herbal remedies like you are thinking about aren't regulated by the FDA and don't have to be thoroughly researched for health effects or efficacy. These herbs interact with your other meds and can harm you if you have certain illnesses. So what you don't know may hurt you.

Best bet is to talk to your doctor. Side effects can be managed.

Answer 2

I don't think that you should have just gone off your meds and I certainly do not agree that you should have such confidence in St Johns wort alone as an alternative to your medication.

Stopping your meds abruptly like that can have serious side effects like suicidal thoughts, depression, anxiety and a host of other worse conditions than you had to begin with!

If you do not feel that what you were taking was helping then you should have asked to switch doctors... You have got to speak up and let these people know that you have a right to be proactive in your own treatment.

You really honestly should go to see another doctor. Worrying your family is sometimes exactly what you need to do to ensure that you don't go throwing yourself off some bridge somewhere because you couldn't deal...

Get help darling PLEASE! Going off your meds once you have started them is not safe!

Answer 3

You don't want to worry your family, so you intend to hide something from them? Oh great.

Typically, an over-the-counter medication isn't restricted (by definition), so a five-year-old could wander over to the shelves and spend their allowance on it.

St. John's Wart may or may not have any medicinal properties, beyond placebo. But that's not what this is really about. This question sounds like you're asking for permission to lie to your family. You have it.

Go ahead and buy any drug you like, and try not to feel guilty, and try not to show that guilt as you hide your "stash" of perfectly innocuous herbs that you believe you need to hide. With any luck, your parents will assume you're hiding something with a little more kick.

If the anti-anxiety drugs you were prescribed gave you terrible side effects, talk to your parents and your doctor. There may be other drug and non-drug treatment methods available. But the purpose of family is so that no one needs to face a situation without backup. So use what you have been blessed with.

Go on, stop reading this and DO.

Answer 4

California has very strict laws regarding over the counter drugs. The majority of states now restrict sales of cough and cold medicine to those over the age of 18. I work in retail and the register prompts us to ask for ID for certain medications. There is also a limit to the number you can purchase, this goes for anyone of any age. In some states I believe this is a recommendation of law enforcement but in other states, like California I believe, it's the law so a merchant can get in trouble for selling these items to underage individuals. Some retailers are requested to notify the police if an attempt is made by underage individuals or the person attempted to purchase more than the limit. This also goes for anyone purchasing a combination of medication and certain household items that are known as ingredients to certain illegal drugs such as methamphetamine.

Answer 5

Well I believe you are old enough to buy st.johns wort. I hope that you did go and let you doctor know about the side effects you were having, and let him take you off of the medication that you were on for anxiety disorder, other wise you can have with drawal that will make that disorder and depression 3-4 times worse. You need to no just quit taking a medication, you need to be tapered off of them. I hope you are feel ok, you have a nice newyear now. take care ok?????

Answer 6

18 in Illinois

Answer 7

I don't know what to tell you I guess just be smart and I think you have to be a least 18 or considered a legal adult not just by you or your family but also the state.

Answer 8

you can buy it at walmart no age for vitamin supplements and the one your choosing works very well. but you'll get a better price from puritans pride on line but you'll need some one with a credit card.

Answer 9

just ask your doctor for a prescription

Answer 10

i didn't even know there was an age limit