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Illustrated Health Encyclopedia
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Ency. home > SpecialTopic > H > Home pharmacy

Home pharmacy   

Overview

Alternative names:

Drugs to keep at home; Medications to have at home

Information

For minor symptoms and illnesses that are common, it is wise to keep some medications in supply at home. Follow the manufacturer's directions and warnings when using these products.

All medications lose their effectiveness (expire) over time and should be replaced. Check the expiration date before using any product.

Improper storage shortens the effective date of the medicine. Store medicines in a cool, dry area. The heat from kitchens and the moisture from bathrooms decrease the effectiveness of a medication. Store all medications out of reach of children.

This list includes EXAMPLES of the types of medications that normally are appropriate for the conditions mentioned. There are many other products available that may also be used for these medical conditions. The products listed are not necessarily superior to other available commercial products.

CONSULT YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER BEFORE GIVING ASPIRIN, IBUPROFEN, OR OTHER NON-STEROIDAL ANTI-INFLAMMATORY MEDICATIONS (NSAIDs such as naproxen) TO CHILDREN!

PREGNANT WOMEN SHOULD CONSULT THEIR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER BEFORE TAKING ANY OVER THE COUNTER MEDICATIONS WHILE PREGNANT OR BREASTFEEDING.

Examples of medications to be considered for your home pharmacy:

  • allergies
    • antihistamines
      • Benadryl
      • Dimetapp
  • minor skin infections
    • antibiotic creams
      • Neosporin
      • Polysporin
  • athlete's foot
    • antifungals
      • Lotrimin AF
      • Tinactin, Micatin
  • cleaning minor cuts and scrapes
    • antiseptics
      • Hydrogen peroxide
      • Betadine
      • Hibiclens
  • colds
    • over the counter cough/cold combinations - oral
      • Drixoral
      • Comtrex
      • Tavist-D
  • constipation
    • laxatives
      • Metamucil
      • Dulcolax
      • Fibercon
  • cough
    • over the counter preparations
      • Robitussin DM
      • Delsym
      • Robitussin
  • stuffy nose
    • decongestants
      • Sudafed
      • Efidac
  • diarrhea
    • antidiarrheals
      • Imodium AD
      • Kaopectate
  • eye irritation
    • eye drops
      • Visine
      • Murine
      • Prefrin
  • eye wash
    • over the counter preparations
      • Collyrium for Fresh Eyes Eye Wash
      • Eye-Stream
  • fever
    • antipyretics
      • Tylenol
      • aspirin
      • Advil
      • Remember: consult your health care provider before giving aspirin or ibuprofen products (such as Advil) to children.
  • gas pain
    • antiflatulents preparations
      • Maalox Anti-Gas
      • Mylanta Gas
      • Gas X
      • Tums
      • Rolaids
      • Pepcid
      • Zantac
  • headache and other pain
    • analgesics
      • Tylenol
      • aspirin
      • Advil
      • Aleve
      • Remember: consult your health care provider before giving aspirin, ibuprofen products, or other NSAIDs to children.
  • hemorrhoids
    • hemorrhoid preparations
      • Anusol HC-1
      • Preparation H
  • minor cuts and scrapes
    • bandages
    • adhesive tape
  • poisoning (to induce vomiting)
    • Syrup of ipecac *
  • skin rashes
    • analgesics (applied to the skin)
      • Hydrocortisone creams
      • Benadryl Cream
      • Domeboro
  • sprains
    • Elastic (Ace) bandages
  • stomach upset
    • Antacid
  • sunburn prevention
    • Sunscreens
  • swelling, inflammation
    • anti-inflammatories
      • aspirin
      • Advil
      • Aleve
      • Remember: consult your health care provider before giving aspirin or ibuprofen products (such as Advil) to children.
  • vaginal yeast infections
    • vaginal antifungal preparations
      • Monistat 7
      • Gyne-Lotrimin
*Use syrup of ipecac only as directed by the Poison Control Center.

Ency. home > SpecialTopic > H > Home pharmacy

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