Whether it be for the common cold or occasional body aches, it is wise to have a well-stocked medicine cabinet. For instance, the scorching hot weather in Manila continues to put people at risk of getting minor illnesses every now and then. Aside from that, every season is pretty much flu season here in the Philippines! With that said, having a few over-the-counter medicines at home provides a simple fix for common symptoms that can be easily resolved. So if you are planning on putting together a little first aid kit or a go bag with common medications, consider these 7 must-have medicines to have at home:
Must-Have Medicines for Flu-like Symptoms
These symptoms include a runny nose, a high body temperature, muscle aches, a sore throat, and a cough. Given that, you might want to stock your medicine cabinet with these medicines:
1. Paracetamol
Paracetamol, perhaps the most widely used fever reducer and painkiller, is an excellent remedy for common flu symptoms. For relief of headaches and fever, this medication can be taken every four to six hours as needed. Some of the common brand names of paracetamol are Biogesic and Calpol for fever reduction in children combined with ice packs and sponge baths.
2. Phenylephrine (for colds) and guaifenesin (for cough)
Since cough and cold cases are on the rise in the country, another must-have in your medicine cabinet is phenylephrine and guaifenesin.
Phenylephrine is a common cold medication that treats symptoms like watery eyes, sneezing, a runny nose, and nasal congestion. This medicine can be taken up to three times a day or six hours apart, as needed. Notably, some of phenylephrine’s brand names include Bioflu and Neozep. Moreover, another thing to remember is that some phenylephrine medications can cause drowsiness. On the other hand, if you are looking for another way to resolve nasal congestion, nasal sprays are also great for quick relief, especially for children.
Guaifenesin is a cough expectorant medication that treats productive coughs. With that said, if you want to get rid of phlegm, taking this is the way to go. On the other hand, Robitussin is a cough suppressant that resolves dry coughs. With that said, be careful not to entangle these two OTC medications, as they are indicated for different kinds of cough. For children, there are other medicines available in the form of cough syrup, like Lagundi.
3. Ibuprofen
Used as an all-around pain medication, Ibuprofen is known to treat several kinds of pain and mild aches. For instance, it can relieve you of a headache, toothache, and even dysmenorrhea or period cramps. Notably, this medicine can be taken twice a day, but ibuprofen can cause an upset stomach. With that said, this medication should be taken with meals and never on an empty stomach.
For Allergic Reactions
Whether it be allergic rhinitis, itchy, watery eyes, or skin redness, there are OTC medicines that are fit for the job.
4. Diphenhydramine
An antihistamine, diphenhydramine, is known to treat allergies, itching, hay fever, and even the common cold. However, these antihistamines can cause drowsiness, so it is not advisable to take them before driving or doing any activities that require mental attentiveness.
5. Loratidine
But if what you are looking for is a non-drowsy antihistamine, Loratidine is a great option. For instance, these medicines, along with cetirizine, are less likely to cause sleepiness. On that note, if you are suffering from allergic rhinitis but want to stay up and about, Loratidine and Cetirizine are your best bets to get rid of the watery eyes and itching of the nose.
For Diarrhea
Hyperactive bowel disease is easy to treat. Given that, if you ever need to be on the go but your stomach is acting up, this medication can give you a simple fix:
6. Loperamide
Diarrhea and stomach pain can cause such a hassle, especially when you have an important thing to do at work. With that said, taking Loperamide might be the best option for you. For instance, this drug is an anti-diarrheal medicine that can be taken up to four times a day, as needed. And since diarrhea is caused by a hyperactive bowel or a stomach bug, the side effect of this medication is that it slows down your bowel movement. With that said, there is a possibility that you might get constipated for a few days after taking this medication.
For skin irritations
If you want to have a go-to treatment for skin problems like eczema, insect bites, contact dermatitis, minor scrapes, prickly heat rash, and psoriasis, consider getting this ointment:
7. Hydrocortisone cream or ointment
Also known as steroids, a hydrocortisone cream or ointment is available over the counter in most pharmacies. Notably, the doctor usually advises people to use this for treating swelling, itching, and skin irritations like insect bites in children or eczema. Not to mention, this is also a great addition to your first aid kit.
These creams and ointments are available at only 0.1% to 1% to avoid any adverse reactions. Moreover, topical ointments can be applied for a week or two. Hence, if your condition persists, a proper consultation with a physician is advised.
Bonus!
Aside from the essential medicines listed above, you must also keep track of expired medications and dispose of them properly. Moreover, stocking up on first aid supplies, such as an ice pack, thermometers, and oxygen saturation checkers, can be of great help. Not only that, but having a pair of extra batteries couldn’t hurt.
Indeed, having these medications available means hoping for the best while preparing for the worst, which is always good! However, it is still advisable to visit your doctor to check for any allergic reactions to certain medications. And if your symptoms persist longer than the therapeutic intake of OTC medicines, prescription drugs are your best bet. What is more, do not confuse over-the-counter medicine with antibiotics. Notably, antibiotics are treatments for bacterial infections, and they require a prescription. Additionally, careful handling of medications includes reading the label and following the emergency instructions on how to take the drug.
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