Over-the-Counter Antibiotics: Can You Even Get Them?

Feeling run-down with a UTI, sinus infection, or sore throat and wondering if you can skip the doctor and grab an antibiotic over the counter? Here's what you can get without a prescription—and what could do more harm than good.

When you're battling an annoying infection, the idea of grabbing over-the-counter antibiotics and skipping the doctor’s office sounds like a dream. Maybe you’ve had this exact issue before—a UTI, a sinus infection, strep throat—and you know what meds helped last time. Or maybe you’re uninsured, swamped at work, stuck on campus, or just trying to avoid another pricey urgent care bill. So you start Googling: Can you get an antibiotic over the counter?

If you're hoping for a quick pharmacy fix, you’re definitely not alone. But before you reach for the first thing on the drugstore shelf (or hit up a sketchy online pharmacy), here’s what you need to know about what’s actually available, what’s safe, and how to get the right treatment without wasting time or money.

What are over-the-counter antibiotics?

Looking to grab an antibiotic without a trip to the doctor? We’ve all been there—but here’s the deal. Antibiotics are powerful meds made to fight bacterial infections like strep throat or UTIs. They can literally be lifesavers—but they don’t do a thing for viruses like the cold or flu.

So, are there any over the counter antibiotics available without a prescription? Not the kind most people are hoping for. The only OTC antibiotics you’ll find in the U.S. are topical ones—think creams and ointments for small skin stuff like cuts, scrapes, and burns. The real heavy-hitters—oral antibiotics that treat internal infections—require a prescription from a healthcare provider.

Are there any over-the-counter antibiotics available?

Yes—but they’re skin-deep. In the U.S., the only antibiotics you can buy without a prescription are topical ones used to prevent infection in minor skin injuries. These include:

• Neosporin
• Polysporin
• Bacitracin

These creams and ointments work by killing or stopping bacteria from growing on the skin. Over-the-counter infection medicines like these are easy to find at any pharmacy—but keep in mind, they’re only meant for surface-level issues. For anything more serious (like a deep wound or a skin infection that’s spreading), you’ll need a prescription for a stronger, medical-grade topical or oral antibiotic.

Why most antibiotics require a prescription

There's a good reason you can’t just grab most antibiotics off the shelf.

Why most antibiotics require a prescription

They’re powerful meds—and they’re not one-size-fits-all.

Different classes of antibiotics are used to target different types of bacteria. What works great for a sinus infection might do nothing for a UTI. That’s why a healthcare provider needs to assess your symptoms and pick the right one for your specific infection.

Taking the wrong antibiotic isn’t just ineffective—it can be risky.

Some antibiotics can cause side effects, especially when combined with other medications you’re already taking. That’s where your doctor comes in. By reviewing your health history and current meds, they can prescribe something that treats the infection without triggering other issues.

Antibiotics aren’t always necessary—and overusing them can backfire.

If you take them for things like viral infections (hello, cold or flu), or for bacterial infections your body could fight off on its own, you increase your risk of antibiotic resistance. That’s when bacteria evolve to outsmart the drugs designed to kill them—making future infections much harder (and sometimes impossible) to treat. Each year, more than 2.8 million antibiotic-resistant infections occur in the U.S., and over 35,000 people die as a direct result. The toll is even higher when you include related complications.

When can OTC antibiotic products help?

For minor scrapes and burns, a little OTC ointment might do the trick. Topical antibiotics like bacitracin or Neosporin are available without a prescription and can help prevent infection in small cuts or abrasions.

But according to dermatologists, most minor wounds—even post-surgery—don’t need antibiotic creams. Sometimes, they can even do more harm than good. In some people, OTC antibiotic creams can irritate the skin and cause allergic reactions like contact dermatitis—a red, itchy rash that adds insult to injury.

Only use an OTC antibiotic cream when signs of infection are present. Wondering if your cut is infected? Look for these red flags:

• Pus or oozing
• Yellow or golden crusts
• Pain, swelling, or warmth
• Skin that’s red, purple, or brown
• Streaks (red in light skin, brownish red in dark skin)
• Fever or chills

That said, OTC options are for surface-level issues only. If a skin infection seems more serious—or if you’re dealing with something deeper or systemic—you’ll need a prescription-strength topical or an oral antibiotic to truly clear it.

Risks and dangers of using antibiotics without prescription

Think twice before popping antibiotics without a prescription—they’re powerful drugs, not a quick fix, and misusing them can cause more trouble than they’re worth.

1. You could be fueling antibiotic resistance.

Taking antibiotics without a prescription might seem harmless—but it can actually make infections harder to treat down the road. Misusing these medicines contributes to antimicrobial resistance, a major global health threat. As more bacteria become resistant, we lose effective options to treat even common infections. Right now, drug-resistant infections kill an estimated 700,000 people worldwide each year—and that number could skyrocket to 10 million by 2050.

2. You might treat the wrong problem—and delay real care.

Grabbing an OTC antibiotic in hopes of quick relief can go wrong, fast. Without a doctor’s diagnosis, there’s no way to know what you’re actually dealing with. Many common illnesses—like respiratory, urinary, or stomach infections—are often viral, meaning antibiotics won’t help. So not only are you taking something unnecessary, but you’re also leaving the real issue untreated, which could make things worse or even mask serious conditions, says Pallabi Sanyal-Dey, MD.

3. Side effects are real—and sometimes risky.

Sure, antibiotics can cause annoying but mild side effects like nausea, diarrhea, dizziness, and yeast infections. But without proper medical guidance, more serious complications can happen. These include:

• C. diff infections, a gut issue that arises when antibiotics disrupt your microbiome’s healthy balance
• Allergic reactions, including rare but life-threatening ones like anaphylaxis
• Drug interactions, which can be dangerous—especially if you’re taking meds for heart issues, indigestion, or pain

Safe alternatives to over-the-counter antibiotics

Think over-the-counter antibiotics for infection are your only option? Think again.

Home care for minor infections

Got a cut, scrape, or minor burn? If there’s no sign of infection, you probably don’t need that over-the-counter antibiotic ointment. Instead, dermatologists recommend a simple, effective routine to help prevent infection naturally.

Here’s your go-to wound care strategy:

• Clean it up. Wash your hands first, then gently clean the wound with mild soap and water every day.
• Keep it moist. Apply plain petroleum jelly like Vaseline, or a non-petroleum alternative (ointments made of beeswax, candelilla wax, and/or lanolin are all good options) to keep the area hydrated and promote healing. Pro tip: Use a tube, not a jar, to avoid contamination.
• Cover it up. Use an adhesive bandage for small cuts, and for bigger scrapes or burns, consider silicone gel sheets or hydrogel pads.

If you’re dealing with a first-degree burn (like a kitchen mishap), use the same steps along with these:

• Cool the area immediately with cold tap water or wet compresses.
• Soothe the pain with OTC meds like ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
• Cover and protect. Use a non-stick bandage while it heals. Then, block sun exposure with SPF 30+, protective clothing, or good old-fashioned shade—especially if you have darker skin, since sun can darken healing spots or cause uneven pigmentation.

OTC alternatives to antibiotic creams

Not all wound care requires antibiotics. Your medicine cabinet might already have what you need.

• Petroleum jelly (yep, again) seals in moisture and keeps out germs.
• Aloe vera soothes and cools irritated skin (bonus: it smells nice).
• But skip harsh antiseptics like hydrogen peroxide, iodine, or rubbing alcohol on open wounds—they can actually damage healthy skin and slow healing. Antibacterial soaps can actually be counter-productive also (and sometimes irritating). So, stick to mild soap and plenty of water instead.

Natural remedies

Looking for plant-based options with antibiotic-like effects? Some natural remedies can help—but they’re no substitute for proper medical treatment, Dr. Sanyal-Dey says.

• Medical-grade honey can be used on minor burns thanks to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties (just avoid it if you have pollen allergies).
• Garlic, honey, and herbs like thyme or oregano have mild antimicrobial benefits when taken internally—but don’t expect them to cure a bacterial infection on their own.

Bottom line: Natural remedies might offer some benefits, but they’re not proven alternatives to antibiotics, Dr. Sanyal-Dey says. Use them cautiously—and never rely on them for serious infections.

When to see a doctor for antibiotics

Sometimes, rest, fluids, and a dab of ointment are all you need. But if your body’s not bouncing back—or things are heading in the wrong direction—it might be time to call in backup.

When to see a doctor for antibiotics

See a doctor if your symptoms stick around for more than a few days, get worse, or come with red flags like:

• High fever
• Major pain or swelling
• Shortness of breath
• Signs of a more serious illness

When you're on the fence, a quick virtual check-in with a provider—like the ones at General Medicine—can save you from guessing (or Googling). A clinician can help you figure out whether antibiotics are the right move or if you can keep riding the home remedy train.

Conditions like UTIs, strep throat, bronchitis, and skin infections often need a closer look—don’t wait it out if something feels off.

A final word

Antibiotics are powerful tools—but only when used correctly. Misusing them can lead to side effects, delayed treatment, or even antibiotic resistance down the road.

And while dodging a doctor’s visit may seem convenient at times, even the best over-the-counter antibiotics can’t treat more serious bacterial infections.

If you’re feeling sick and wondering whether antibiotics are the answer, skip the guessing game. A quick online consultation with a trusted provider through General Medicine can give you clear answers and the right treatment—fast, safe, and from the comfort of home.

Key takeaways

• Most antibiotics require a prescription—and for good reason. They treat bacterial infections, not viral ones, and the wrong type can do more harm than good.
• Topical OTC antibiotics like Neosporin are available for minor cuts and scrapes—but they’re not meant for deeper or systemic infections.
• Using antibiotics without medical guidance can backfire, causing side effects, drug interactions, or even antibiotic resistance.
• Many minor infections can be managed at home with basic wound care and hygiene—no antibiotics necessary.
• Natural remedies may help in some cases, but they aren’t proven substitutes for prescription antibiotics.
• Buying antibiotics online without a prescription is risky—you could end up with the wrong medication or a counterfeit product.

General Medicine follows a strict editorial process, including using real experts to write our articles, vetted primary sources, fact-checking, a secondary medical review, and updates as necessary. This article was medically reviewed and fact checked by Adam Carewe, MD, and Marjory Bravard, MD.

FAQ

What antibiotics can I buy over the counter?

Short answer? Not many. In the U.S., you can’t buy oral antibiotics without a prescription. The only OTC options available are topical ointments like bacitracin, Neosporin, and Polysporin—and those are strictly for minor skin cuts, scrapes, or burns. They won’t do a thing for deeper infections or anything systemic (like a UTI or strep throat).

Is there a way to get antibiotics without a doctor?

Technically? Sometimes. But should you? Probably not. In the U.S., you need a prescription to get oral antibiotics or stronger topical treatments. But in some countries—especially low- and middle-income regions—antibiotics may be sold over the counter due to limited healthcare access and weaker regulation.

You might also come across online vendors selling prescription antibiotics without a prescription. Sounds convenient, right? Unfortunately, it’s risky business.

Here’s why experts say to steer clear:

• You could be misdiagnosed and take the wrong meds.
• You might worsen antibiotic resistance—a growing global crisis.
• Many of these sites are unregulated and may sell fake or low-quality drugs.
• Taking antibiotics without guidance ups your chances of serious side effects or harmful interactions with other meds.

Even the World Health Organization (WHO) considers this a global public health issue.

Your safest bet: Talk to a licensed healthcare provider. They’ll tell you whether antibiotics are actually needed—and if so, they’ll get you the right type and dosage for safe, effective treatment.

Can you get rid of an infection without antibiotics?

Sometimes, yes—but not always. According to Dr. Sanyal-Dey, “Many mild viral infections and some minor bacterial infections can resolve on their own with supportive care.” That said, some infections do require antibiotics to avoid serious complications, she adds.

If you’re unsure—or your symptoms are sticking around or getting worse—don’t wait. Check in with a provider instead of playing medical roulette.

What is the closest thing to amoxicillin?

Need an amoxicillin alternative? You’ve got options—but let your provider decide. Amoxicillin is a go-to antibiotic for everything from ear infections to pneumonia. But if you’re allergic (or intolerant) to it or other penicillin-type drugs, there are other choices.

Depending on the infection, alternatives might include cephalexin, azithromycin, or doxycycline, Dr. Sanyal-Dey explains. But the right pick depends on your health history and the infection being treated.

Translation: Don’t DIY your antibiotics. Always consult a clinician.

What You Can Actually Get OTC — and What You Can’t

Let’s bust the biggest myths about over-the-counter antibiotics so you know what’s legit—and what’s not.

Antibiotics myths and facts

Myth

Fact

You can buy oral antibiotics without a prescription.

False. In the U.S., oral antibiotics (like amoxicillin or doxycycline) legally require a prescription from a licensed provider.

Topical antibiotic creams are the same as oral antibiotics.

Not quite. OTC creams like Neosporin help with minor cuts and scrapes—but they can’t treat internal or serious infections like UTIs or strep.

You can safely buy antibiotics online without a prescription.

Risky move. Many of these sites are illegal, and products can be counterfeit, unsafe, or completely ineffective.

Natural remedies like garlic or honey can replace antibiotics.

Not really. While some may have mild antimicrobial properties, they’re no substitute for prescribed antibiotics when you truly need one.

There are no OTC alternatives for infections.

Partly true. While you can’t treat serious infections OTC, you can manage minor issues with proper wound care and supportive home remedies.