Side Effects of Over-the-Counter Medications

Daniel Taban of Brooklyn, New York, started using a nasal spray to ease sinus congestion he thought was from allergies. "It worked great at first, but then I had to use it twice a day and I kept getting worse and worse."

What Daniel unwittingly discovered is that a number of commonly used over-the-counter medications can lead to a rebound effect if they're overused. That means they end up causing the symptoms they were originally bought to treat. "Without realizing it, thousands of people become dependent on medications like nasal spray each year," says Dr. David O. Volpi, a Manhattan otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat specialist).

The consequences can be painful, costly, and dangerous. "If you're buying refills for over-the-counter drugs over and over again," says Volpi, "it's best to seek medical advice." Here's a look at the most common rebound-causing medications.