Being prepared can be a life-saver when it comes to a home pharmacy, both figuratively and literally. For treating minor aches and pains, there are a variety of over-the-counter (OTC) medications that can help ease symptoms and provide comfort. Meanwhile, emergency topical ointments can help provide relief from skin rashes, keep cuts clean and infection-free, and treat conditions that cause diarrhea before dehydration may require professional medical intervention.
Here are a list of medications that you should always have on hand – in sickness and in health.
Acetaminophen
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is one of the most common OTC medications for fever, aches and pains. This drug is often handled better by those who have sensitivity to other anti-inflammatory medications, including ibuprofen and aspirin. It is an almost all-purpose medication that can help ease the discomfort of a toothache or backache, or can help bring down a high fever in someone who is battling a flu bug. This drug can have interactions with other medications and it is possible, especially in children and infants, to overdose. So read drug labels and dosing instructions carefully, and limit your intake to recommended doses to avoid liver complications.
Aspirin
If you suspect that you’re having a heart attack, there are two things that you need to do immediately: call 911, and get aspirin into your system as quickly as possible. Aspirin may help limit permanent heart damage by inhibiting platelets and minimizing blood clot growth. As soon as you’ve called 911, you should chew a 325 mg aspirin while waiting for an ambulance to arrive, making the presence of this drug in your medicine cabinet a true lifesaver.
If you have coronary artery disease or are a healthy man over 50, taking a low dose of aspirin every day can also help prevent a heart attack from happening in the first place. Aspirin isn’t for everyone, though. There are many side effects associated with this pill, making it less ideal for treating everyday aches and pains. Among the risks of taking aspirin in high doses are pulmonary edema, kidney failure, and stomach ulcers. In children, aspirin may cause a rare condition called Reye’s syndrome, which can result in fatal brain swelling. So aspirin should never be given to children under the age of 14.
Diphenhydramine
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) is an antihistamine that’s used to treat allergic reactions. This medication can provide quick relief for both nasal and skin symptoms (such as hives) commonly associated with allergic reactions, and is relatively safe, although it may cause side effects such as drowsiness or dizziness. In fact, Benadryl is also prescribed for people who are suffering from insomnia as a sleep aid.
Bismuth Subsalicylate
Bismuth subsalicyclate, also known as Pepto-Bismol, is an OTC medication that’s recommended for the treatment of indigestion, nausea, and diarrhea. While this medication is good to have on hand to deal with bouts of diarrhea and prevent dehydration, it’s important to note that you should not give it to infants, young children, or breastfeeding women, because it may cause Reye’s syndrome. Alternatively, loperamide (Imodium AD) is another OTC medication that can help treat and control diarrhea.
Bicarbonate Tablets
Bicarbonate tablets, including Alka-Seltzer, are also useful to have on hand to relieve heartburn and indigestion by reducing the acidity in the stomach. This is definitely a must-have, especially around the holidays when relatives or houseguests may experience discomfort after meals.
Calamine Lotion
Calamine lotion is handy to treat and ease itching that’s caused by everything from insect bites or dermatitis (skin irritations) to poison ivy, chickenpox, and other blister-causing rashes.
Hydrogen Peroxide And Saline Wound Wash
In the event of a gash, serious cut, animal bite, or other open wound, having a sterile wound wash and hydrogen peroxide on hand as part of an emergency first aid kit can help you quickly and thoroughly clean the injury and prevent infection. Sterile wound washes come in sprays, or you can punch a small hole in the seal and use force to spray the saline solution onto the wound, as the pressure helps remove any debris that may be in the wound.
Along with these two solutions, you should keep sterile gauze pads, surgical tape, and latex gloves handy to deal with any accidents that happen in or around the home. It may also be advisable, if you have a first aid kit in your car, to store these items there as well, especially if you or your household members are active and participate in physical and/or outdoor activities.
Triple Antibiotic Ointment
A triple antibiotic ointment, such as Neosporin, is also good to have in a medicine cabinet and vehicle first aid kit. Once a wound is cleaned, applying this ointment will help stop bacterial infections from starting and keep bacteria out of the wound until you can get medical attention or the wound closes itself up.
Understand Your Stash
OTC medications may not require prescriptions, but they can still have side effects. They can cause allergic reactions, interact poorly with your regular prescription medications, or cause health risks in high doses. You should be sure that you understand what your medications are, and how they might interact with any of the drugs listed above. Talk to your doctor before beginning any prescriptions to make sure you understand potential interactions, and always read OTC labels carefully to be sure you understand the dosage you or your children should take.
When it comes to first aid items, be sure that you stock up on items that won’t cause an allergic reaction, such as latex-free bandages. And before you attempt to treat any wound, be sure that you take precautions to ensure that you won’t cause more harm than good. In other words, wash your hands thoroughly and use gloves when possible. And if a wound appears serious, take steps to stop bleeding and seek medical attention as quickly as possible.
All OTC medications should be stored up high, out of reach of young children, and in childproof containers. If a household member or child appears to have taken a significant dose of an OTC medication, call your local poison control center and find out what steps should be taken to avoid an overdose.
Leave a Reply