In this article, Deans Pharmacy provides a comprehensive list of must-have items that should be in your medicine cabinet:
Pain Relief
- Over-the-counter pain relievers: Acetaminophen/Paracetamol (Panadol/Cetamol) and ibuprofen (Advil) are versatile options for headaches, muscle aches, mild arthritis pain and fever.
- Topical pain relief: Consider a topical cream or ointment like Voltaren or Tiger Balm for muscle aches, sprains and arthritis pain.
- Aspirin: Aside from treating pain, aspirin can also be critical for heart attack symptoms. If recommended by your doctor, keep some on hand.
Cough and Cold Medications
- Cough Suppressants (Histal DM/Cari-tussin DM): Helpful when dealing with dry coughs.
- Expectorants (DPH, Benjamin or Histal Expectorants): To loosen mucus in the chest and make
coughing more productive. - Throat Lozenges: Soothe sore throats and dry coughs with lozenges like Halls or Chloraseptic
Allergy Relief
- Antihistamines: Oral antihistamines like cetirizine (Zyrtec), Diphenhydramine (DPH) or chlorpheniramine (Histal) can help alleviate allergy symptoms like a runny nose and itchy throat.
- Nasal spray: Saline nasal spray can help soothe irritated nasal passages such as Otrivin or Afrin.
Digestive Aids
- Antacids: For heartburn, indigestion and acid reflux (Tums or Maalox).
- Laxatives: For occasional constipation relief (Miralax).
- Diarrhoea medication: To manage Diarrhoea symptoms (Pepto-Bismol).
First Aid Essentials
- Bandages: Assortment of sizes, including adhesive bandages, gauze and medical tape.
- Antibiotic Ointment (Neosporin): To prevent infection in cuts or burns.
- Hydrocortisone Cream: For treating skin irritations, rashes, or insect bites.
- Antiseptic wipes, Hydrogen Peroxide or Rubbing Alcohol: For cleaning wounds and minor cuts.
- Tweezers: For removing splinters and ticks.
- Cold compress: Reusable packs or ice packs for bruises, sprains or inflammation.
- Thermometer: A digital thermometer is essential to monitor fevers and track body temperature.
Medical Tools
- Scissors: For cutting bandages or medical tape.
- Cotton Swabs and Cotton Balls: Useful for cleaning wounds or applying ointments.
- Latex Gloves: For sanitary handling of wounds.
Emergency Medications
- Epinephrine (EpiPen): If you or a family member has severe allergies, having an epinephrine auto-injector is critical in an emergency.
- Glucose Tablets: For managing low blood sugar, particularly for people with diabetes.
- Insect Repellent: Especially important if you live in areas where mosquitoes are prevalent
- Aloe Vera Gel: For soothing sunburns or minor burns.
Other Essentials
- Prescription medications: Store any prescription medications as directed by your doctor.
- Contact lens solution and case: If you wear contact lenses
Be prepared for anything. By keeping these essentials in your medicine cabinet, you’ll be ready to handle bumps, bruises and much more. Remember, always follow the instructions on the label and consult a healthcare professional if you have concerns or chronic health conditions. Keep your cabinet up-to-date by regularly checking for expired or used items and replacing them as needed. Most importantly, keep the medicine cabinet out of reach of children and make sure prescription medications are securely stored.
