# 173: Over the Counter Medications and the Smart Way to Use Them

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Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/nutrition-prescription-wellness-vs-medications-5890869/173-over-the-counter-medications-and-the-smart-way-to-use-them.md
Podcast: [Nutrition Prescription: Wellness vs Medications](https://stenobird.com/podcast/nutrition-prescription-wellness-vs-medications-5890869)
Published: 2026-03-09T07:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://13aeb403-5947-4882-8b33-cd63c171dd16.libsyn.com/173-over-the-counter-medications-and-the-smart-way-to-use-them
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Duration seconds: 2738

## Resource

Hey Podcast Friends! If you could use some help with weight loss, inflammation and getting off medications.. Check out my Essential step-by-step course that helps you get started to take control of your health using real food — not pills, not crash diets, and definitely not tons of time in the gym. You'll learn how to eat low-carb, boost your energy, and build a healthier lifestyle that actually lasts. This is my Basic Essentials Course and it will help you to get started. Get signed up here before the price increase! Thrive Naturally Essentials Course In this episode of Nutrition Prescription, Dr. Steve Hughlett, a Doctor of Pharmacy for over 35 years, breaks down the confusing world of over-the-counter (OTC) medications so you can stop feeling overwhelmed in the pharmacy aisle and start feeling confident about what you buy for your family. He explains why there are only a few main active ingredients behind most of the colorful boxes, and how to read the "Active Ingredients" section so you're not tricked by marketing and combination products you don't really need. ​ You'll learn the smart way to choose pain relievers like ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin, and acetaminophen, when to use anti-inflammatories versus Tylenol, and the serious side effects that can come from taking NSAIDs every day, like stomach ulcers, bleeding, and kidney issues. Dr. Steve also walks through common problems with your eyes, nose, sinuses, and lungs—red, itchy, or dry eyes, runny or stuffy nose, dry nose in winter, and chest congestion—and how to match the right OTC product to the exact symptom instead of grabbing a "do-it-all" combo. ​ He explains why symptoms like pain, runny nose, sneezing, and coughing are your body's way of talking to you, and why you don't always want to completely shut th…

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## Transcript

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