over-the-counter
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over-the-counter
Describes a medication or medicinal product that you can buy at a pharmacy without first having received a prescription from a doctor.
Leichte Schmerzmittel wie Ibuprofen sind in Deutschland rezeptfrei erhältlich.
Mild painkillers like ibuprofen are available over the counter in Germany.
The word is made up of 'Rezept' (prescription) and 'frei' (free). So it literally means 'free from a prescription,' which makes it easy to remember.
Diese Salbe gegen Insektenstiche können Sie rezeptfrei in der Apotheke kaufen.
You can buy this ointment for insect bites over the counter at the pharmacy.
As an adjective, 'rezeptfrei' (over-the-counter) is very often used predicatively, i.e., with verbs like 'sein' (to be) or 'erhältlich sein' (to be available). It then stands at the end of the clause.
Nicht alle Hustensäfte sind rezeptfrei.
Not all cough syrups are available over the counter.
'Rezeptfrei' (over-the-counter) is used almost exclusively in connection with medical products. Typical nouns are 'Medikamente' (medications), 'Arzneimittel' (medicinal products), 'Schmerzmittel' (painkillers), or 'Salben' (ointments).
Gibt es ein rezeptfreies Mittel gegen Reiseübelkeit?
Is there an over-the-counter remedy for motion sickness?
