U.S. News, Pharmacy Times Reveal Top Recommended OTC Products for 2018

U.S. News & World Report, the global authority in rankings and consumer advice, and Pharmacy Times®, the leading media resource for the pharmacy industry, today released the 2018 Top Recommended Health Products. Consumers and health care professionals can visit U.S. News Top Recommended Health Products and otcguide.net to see the collective recommendations of thousands of pharmacists for more than 1,100 over-the-counter brands, representing 154 product categories.

As seasonal allergy symptoms linger and summer travel season begins, the 2018 list of top-recommended over-the-counter products helps prepare consumers and their families to stay healthy during any summer adventure.

Returning No.1 Pharmacist Recommended Brands include:

• Sunscreen: Neutrogena
• Sun Burn Relief: Solarcaine
• Headache: Advil
• Antihistamines (Allergy): Claritin
• Children's Allergy: Children's Zyrtec Allergy Syrup
• Children's Pain Relief: Children's Tylenol
• Cough Suppressant: Delsym
• Acid Reducer: Prilosec OTC
• First Aid, Adhesive Bandages: Band-Aid
• First Aid, Topical Antibiotic: Neosporin
• Toothpaste: Crest
• Mouthwash/Rinse: Listerine

This year's overall list also includes eight new product categories that, along with returning favorites, give consumers pharmacist recommendations for over-the-counter brands they need for year-round health. Non Medicated Vicks VapoInhaler is named the No. 1 recommended product in the new "Nasal-Decongestant, Inhaler" category. TylenolPM is top-recommended in the new "Sleep Aid/Analgesic Combination Products" list.

Additional Top Recommended Favorites for 2018 include:

• Immune Support: Emergen-C
• Topical Cough Suppressant, Lozenge: Cepacol
• Teething Products: Orajel Instant Relief
• Acne Products: Differin Gel
• Athlete's Foot/Antifungal Products: Lamisil
• Dandruff Shampoo: Head & Shoulders

"Consumers turn to U.S. News when making important health decisions ­— from choosing a hospital or physician to selecting a Medicare plan and nursing home," said Angela Haupt, Assistant Managing Editor of Health at U.S. News. "The Top Recommended Health Products highlight recommendations from pharmacists to help narrow the best choices, making any trip to the drugstore more informed and less overwhelming."

Troy Trygstad, Pharmacy Times® editor-in-chief, added: "The OTC Guide provides consumers with trusted pharmacist insights on over-the-counter products. We are thrilled again to collaborate with U.S. News to offer the results of the survey to a larger audience and appreciate the time our pharmacists took to share their recommendations. "

U.S. News and Pharmacy Times® began collaborating in 2012 to bring pharmacist recommendations to consumers nationwide. Pharmacy Times® evaluates pharmacists' insights and preferences through an annual research program with HRA®—Healthcare Research and Analytics, a consultative health care market research practice. Through the U.S. News website, health.usnews.com/otc, consumers have an easy and searchable way to access the information produced by pharmacists' recommendations. U.S. News displays brands that received at least 1 percent of pharmacists' votes, but only awards a "No. 1 Pharmacist Recommended Brand" designation to top-ranked products in each category.

The new OTC Guide was featured this morning on NBC's The Today Show. During the segment, NBC News Medical Contributor Natalie Azar, MD discussed the guide and several of pharmacists' selections with show anchor Hoda Kotb.

For more information, visit Facebook or Twitter using #OTCGuide, or otcguide.net to access the rankings and search pharmacist recommendations by symptom, product or category.

About U.S. News & World Report

U.S. News & World Report is a digital news and information company that empowers people to make better, more informed decisions about important issues affecting their lives. Focusing on education, health, personal finance, travel, cars, and news, USNews.com provides consumer advice, rankings, news and analysis to serve people making complex decisions throughout all stages of life. More than 40 million people visit USNews.com each month for research and guidance. Founded in 1933, U.S. News is headquartered in Washington, D.C.

About Pharmacy Times®

Pharmacy Times® is the leading media resource for pharmacists and the pharmacy industry, providing practical clinical and professional information pharmacists can use in their everyday practices when counseling patients and interacting with other health care providers. Each issue and the website contain articles and features covering industry trends, medication errors, drug interactions, patient education, disease state management, patient counseling, product news, pharmacy law and more. Additionally, Pharmacy Times Continuing Education™ is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. Pharmacy Times® is part of MJH Associates Inc., a full-service health care communications company, based in Cranbury, New Jersey, offering education, research and medical media.