Medicines to Keep on Hand

It is a good idea to have some basic medicines on hand to treat minor illnesses, health problems, or injuries.

What medicines should I have on hand?

Nonprescription medicines, also called over-the-counter or OTC medicines, usually do not cure an illness but they can often help relieve symptoms. Nonprescription medicines should always be used according to the instructions on the package or container. Nonprescription medicines you may want to keep in your medicine chest are:

• medicines to relieve pain and reduce fever
• antihistamines and decongestants for colds and allergies
• cough medicine
• sore throat lozenges and mouth medicines
• antacids
• medicines to relieve constipation and diarrhea
• skin creams and ointments.

Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist what medicines they recommend keeping on hand.

Which medicines help pain and fever?

Aspirin, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen help relieve pain and reduce fever. Remember the following cautions when you take one of these medicines.

• Aspirin and ibuprofen are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs. NSAIDs reduce swelling as well as pain, but they increase the risk of bleeding. They should not be taken by people who have ulcer disease or bleeding disorders, or who take blood thinners. Adults 65 years old or older should not take NSAIDs for more than 7 days without their provider's approval.
• Some people who have asthma can have an asthma attack after taking aspirin, so they may need to avoid taking aspirin.
• Aspirin or medicines that have aspirin in them should not be given to anyone younger than 18 years of age if they have a viral infection. Taking aspirin is a risk for a serious illness called Reye's syndrome. For this reason some healthcare providers think it is best not to use aspirin at all under age 18.
• Acetaminophen should not be taken by anyone with liver or kidney disease. Do not drink alcohol while taking acetaminophen.

How are antihistamines and decongestants helpful for colds and allergies?

Antihistamines and decongestants are good to have on hand in case you get a cold or allergies start bothering you. Both types of medicine are good for relief of a runny nose.

• Antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine, also relieve or prevent the symptoms of hay fever and other allergies. They relieve sneezing and the itching and swelling of hives or other allergic rashes. Because some types of antihistamines act as a mild sedative, they can make you sleepy.
• Decongestants, such as pseudoephedrine, are used to treat the nasal congestion caused by colds and hay fever. The medicine narrows blood vessels in the nose and reduces swelling. It also reduces the amount of mucus made by the nose. Decongestants can help you be less congested when you have a cold or an ear or sinus infection. Decongestant nose sprays or drops should not be used for more than 2 or 3 days in a row.

What types of medicines help coughing?

There are 2 main types of cough medicines: expectorants and cough suppressants.

• An expectorant, such as guaifenesin, may help loosen mucus so it can be coughed up. This relieves chest congestion and makes it easier to breathe.
• A cough suppressant, such as dextromethorphan, may help stop dry, hacking coughs. Avoid using a cough suppressant if you have a cough with a lot of mucus that needs to be coughed up. Always check with your pharmacist before using a cough suppressant, especially before giving it to a child.

What will help a sore throat or mouth sores?

Throat lozenges may provide soothing relief to sore throats.

If family members have problems with canker sores, fever blisters, or sores on the lips and gums, mouth medicines may provide pain relief. The main ingredient in mouth medicines is usually a local anesthetic, such as benzocaine, to relieve the pain temporarily. A common example is Anbesol.

What medicines are used for digestive problems?

Antacids block or reduce stomach acids to relieve indigestion or heartburn. They usually contain aluminum or magnesium hydroxide or calcium chloride.

For constipation relief, try a natural bulk-forming laxative such as Metamucil or other psyllium fiber products. This type of laxative makes the stool larger. The increase in size helps the stool to move through your bowel.

Be cautious about taking nonprescription medicines for diarrhea such as loperamide (Kaopectate or Imodium) to treat diarrhea. These medicines can make the illness more severe rather than better. Use diarrhea medicine only as instructed on the label. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Which skin care products are useful to have on hand?

Some of the products used to treat minor skin problems are:

• hydrocortisone cream to relieve itching and inflammation
• antifungal medicine to treat athlete's foot
• antibacterial ointment or lotion to help prevent bacterial infections
• baking soda or aloe vera to treat skin irritation, inflammation, or sunburn
• zinc oxide powders or creams to treat sunburn.

How do I know when a medicine is outdated?

Check for expiration dates on all medicines, including those that are nonprescription. If a drug does not have an expiration date, write the purchase date on the label. For medicines that have no expiration date, check with a pharmacist before using a drug that is more than 1 year old.