Yes, since 2020 — no prescription needed. Menstrual products are eligible too, under the same law.
Yes. The CARES Act of 2020 permanently restored OTC eligibility and removed the prescription requirement that had applied since 2011.
Eligible without a prescription: pain relievers, allergy medication, cold and flu remedies, antacids, sleep aids, first aid supplies, sunscreen SPF 15+, acne treatment, and menstrual care products including tampons, pads, cups, and liners.
Still not eligible: vitamins and supplements taken for general health, toiletries, cosmetics.
The supplement rule catches people. A daily multivitamin is a general-wellness product and doesn't qualify. A supplement prescribed by a doctor to treat a diagnosed condition can qualify with a Letter of Medical Necessity — keep that letter with the receipts.
These are small purchases, which is exactly why they get skipped. A family spending $40/month on eligible OTC items is walking past roughly $480/year of documentable expenses.