Have you ever gone glassy eyed staring at an endless display of pain relief or allergy medicines, desperately trying to discern which one you should buy?

It’s no surprise that it can be a daunting task to choose over-the-counter (OTC) medicines. You can choose from over 100,000 OTC medicines that are currently available. Often, these medications are almost identical, as they share the same 1,000 active ingredients.

OTC medications come in several brand names and formulas. Some of the most widely sought after products available include medicines for pain relief, heartburn relievers and allergy medicines, and are all found under a wide variety of names.

You can take some of the work out of the process by checking your medicine cabinet before heading to the pharmacy. Identify the active ingredients in the medicines that you use most frequently. Write down the names of the medications and their active ingredients.

Medicines for pain relief typically have acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Motrin), aspirin, or some combination of any of the three. Most headache medicines contain caffeine. Once you figure out what medicines are most effective for you and what active ingredients they have, you can identify the base product when reading the labels in the store. There are almost always big price differences between brand name products and their generic equivalents.

The generic equivalent for the medication Benadryl is called Diphenhydramine. You can find it in such OTC products as Tylenol PM. If you want an aid to help you sleep but don’t want a pain reliever, generic Benadryl is a good choice. You can save your money and protect your body from unneeded drugs. If you are considering three different sleep aids and they all have diphenhydramine as the active ingredient, and they are all available in the same strength, then the only thing that differentiates them is how much you are going to pay. Judging the savings is not difficult.

Many medications that are used for allergy symptoms are really nothing more than the same active ingredient packaged in boxes with different graphics and prices. The price differential between name brands and generics is often dramatic.

You can locate both generics and brands medicines in the online pharmacy. It is usually simple to discern if they carry generics and to weigh the costs against each other.

Many of the most widely sought after heartburn relievers are now sold under a few brand names and the non-brand versions as well. Figure out what active ingredient is most effective for you, and then take a look at where you can find it easily. When you realize what the cost differences are, you may be in for a pleasant surprise.

If you are in a financial bind, you don’t have to do without something or settle for something less effective because the over-the-counter brand label medicine you’ve been using is too expensive. Check on the availability of generics. Consult with a pharmacist. Often your pharmacist can offer several alternatives.

Pain relief medications, allergy products, and heartburn relievers are usually available in an almost endless array of names, and the savings can add up quickly when the generic equivalent is bought. In same cases, people can have a better reaction to store brand or generic than the brand name alternative. Generics are not at all effective for other people. Buying a smaller size or sample first is advisable if it is new to you. Give it a try. Then you can start saving for that vacation you have been wanting to take. You deserve it.