over-the-counter Hear it!

over-the-counter Definition

over-the-counter (ō′vər t̸hə ko̵unt′ər)

adjective

  1. designating or of securities sold by traders directly to buyers rather than on the floor of a stock exchange
  2. Pharmacy sold legally without prescription, as some drugs

over-the-counter (OTC) Finance Definition

A trading market that isn’t part of an exchange or a formal, regulated market. The OTC market is unregulated, and parties interact directly with each other, creating transactions with terms that are mutually agreeable (as long as they are allowed by law). In the foreign exchange market, the OTC market also is called the inter-bank market.

over-the-counter Usage Examples

Converse of object

take: Do not take any other over-the-counter or prescription medications without talking with your doctor.

Preposition: at

chemist: For mild post-operative pain you may be given painkillers such as those you can buy over-the-counter at the chemist.

Modifies a noun

  • painkiller: You may take over-the-counter painkillers to relieve pain, burning, tingling or numbness.
  • medication: Any chemist will give advice for a suitable over-the-counter medication.
  • reliever: Most people with isolated tension headaches usually avail themselves to over-the-counter pain relievers and anti-inflammatories, or self-treatment such as relaxation and sleep.
  • remedy: Even some simple over-the-counter remedies can cause problems in pregnancy.
  • medicine: There are also different kinds of over-the-counter herbal medicine on the market.
  • cough: MAOIs can also result in severe adverse reactions if taken with many other medicines, including some over-the-counter cough and cold remedies.

Used with adjective complement

  • buy: They can give advice on treatments that can be bought over-the-counter.
  • sell: Now it comes to pass that the factory is unwilling to put triggers like that on guns to be sold over-the-counter.
  • come: The Scout, after all, comes over-the-counter in 308.
  • purchase: It is not available on NHS prescription, but can be purchased over-the-counter.
  • use: However, the scientists warn patients against using over-the-counter DHA supplements, which could be harmful at high doses.

Possessives

preparation: Do not take ' over-the-counter ' preparations without discussing this first with your doctor, rheumatology nurse or pharmacist.

Modifying Another Word

only: Folic acid This is the only over-the-counter medicine that is really important to take, both prior to and during pregnancy.

Preposition: in

pharmacy: The license for amorolfine nail lacquer has recently changed and it is now available to buy over-the-counter in pharmacies.

Preposition: from

pharmacy: Pregnancy tests bought over-the-counter from a pharmacy or supermarket can confirm pregnancy from the first day of a missed period.