Summary Restrictions on over the counter medicines UK

CONDITION PRODUCT ACTIVE INGREDIENT OTC RESTRICTIONS LICENSING
Acne (Mild) Acnecide Benzoyl peroxide 5% - GSL (2019)
GSL
(100
Beclomethasone doses)
Beconase
0.05% nasal spray P
 <18s (180
 Chronic rhinitis (consult doses)
Pirinase Fluticasone 0.05% Dr if using for >3 GSL
Allergy nasal spray consecutive months) (60 doses)
P
Nasacort Triamcinolone acetate
(30 doses)
Hay Fever
P
Benocort Budesonide (120
doses)
Chlorphenamine  <1 year olds
Piriton P
2mg/5ml oral solution
Piriteze
Cetirizine 10mg and
Benadryl  <6 year olds (tabs) P
1mg/ml
Allergy  <2 years olds (OS)
Loratidine 10mg and
Clarityn P
1mg/ml
 <12s
 Chronic diagnosed skin
Clobetasone butyrate conditions
Eumovate P (15g)
0.05% cream  For facial use
 > 7 days use

 <10 year olds
 Chronic diagnosed skin
conditions
Hydrocortisone 1% cream  For facial or use on P (15g)
Minor Irritant
Dermatitis genital areas
 > 7 days use

 <10 year olds
 For facial or use on
genital areas
Hydrocortisone 1%
Daktacort with miconazole 2%  OTC license only covers P
cream sweat rash and athlete’s
foot
 > 7 days use

 Diabetics who are using
Daktarin Miconazole 2% cream it on feet P
Athlete’s Foot
Clotrimazole 1%
and Canesten - P
cream
Ringworm
Lamisil Terbinafine 1%  <18s
GSL
Once cutaneous solution  OTC license only covers

, single dose Tx of
athlete’s foot
 > 7 days use

 <2 year olds
 Pregnant/BF
Bacterial Chloramphenicol 0.5% eye drops  OTC license only covers P
Conjunctivitis and 1% eye ointment Tx for bacterial
conjunctivitis

Burns requiring A&E Tx include;
all chemical and electrical burns, large or
Burns and
Paracetamol deep burns, burns that cause white or
Scalds
Ibuprofen charred skin and burns on the face, hands,
(Minor)
arms, feet, legs or genitals that cause
blisters
Infant Colic Colief Lactase drops - GSL
 <10 year olds GSL
Dulcolax Bisacodyl 5mg  Chronic use P (100
tabs)
 <12 year olds
Senokot Senna 7.5mg  Chronic use GSL

Constipation  Acute inflammatory
Lactulose bowel disease P

Movicol Macrogol  <12 year olds P
 <12 year olds
DulcoEase Docusate  Pregnant GSL

 Long-term cough or
asthma
Pholcodine 5mg/5ml linctus  Restricted to only 5 days’ P
use to Tx of acute, non-
productive cough

 <12 year olds
Coughs and
 Hypertensive Pts
Colds
 Pt requires a product or
a combination of
Pseudoephedrine tablets products which contain P
>720mg of
pseudoephedrine (or
180mg of ephedrine)

Cradle Cap -Shampoos - GSL
 <6 year olds
 Dark, cloudy or bloody
Cystitis Cystopurin Potassium citrate GSL
urine
 Stomach or groin/loin