Managing Your Medicine Cabinet

Chances are you don't think about your medicine cabinet until you have a cold or a nasty cut.

A well-stocked medicine cabinet doubles as a first-aid kit, says the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Stocking your medicine cabinet isn't difficult and doesn't take much time. You'll first want the essentials for first aid and symptom relief, rounded out with a few items that meet the special needs of you and other adults in your family.

Keep in mind that even a well-stocked medicine cabinet isn't a substitute for professional medical attention. If what you are doing at home isn't making you feel better, be sure to see your health care provider. Do not give any over-the-counter (OTC) medicines to infants or children without first checking with your child’s health care provider. The following recommendations are for adults only.

Pain relief

Two types of OTC pain relievers are available: acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAIDs). Both types effectively reduce pain and fever; NSAIDs also reduce inflammation. OTC NSAIDs include aspirin, ibuprofen, ketoprofen and naproxen.

NSAIDs reduce pain, inflammation and fever by decreasing substances called prostaglandins, which are made by your body in response to irritation, injury or infection. These drugs help relieve pain from conditions such as menstrual cramps, joint and muscle soreness, and headaches.

Acetaminophen relieves fever and pain by working in the brain centers that control body temperature and sense pain.

Aspirin also helps prevent a second heart attack and strokes caused by blood-clot formation, says the American Heart Association.

In the average healthy adult who uses these pain medications occasionally, side effects from these medicines are uncommon. Taking higher than prescribed doses or taking NSAIDs too frequently can cause upset stomach, bleeding from the stomach or kidney damage and can make high blood pressure worse. Acetaminophen can cause liver damage if taken in doses larger than prescribed, so care should be taken not to exceed the maximum allowable dose. Acetaminophen should not be taken if you drink alcohol.

Many products, such as OTC cold remedies, contain combinations of acetaminophen and NSAIDs. If you take an NSAID and a cold medicine that contains the same NSAID, you may be getting too high a dose. Read OTC drug labels so you know the active ingredients and their doses in all the OTC medicines you are taking.  

Cough/cold remedies

Cough medicine helps to relieve persistent, irritating coughs and loosens phlegm.

Decongestants can make breathing easier by decongesting swollen nasal passages. They may be taken along with other medicines, such as aspirin, to relieve cold symptoms. The only type of OTC decongestant currently available is pseudoephedrine.

Antihistamines

These medications can be used for allergies, hives, insect bites and bee stings, and as a sleeping aid. If given very early in an easily absorbable liquid form, they may help in the emergency treatment for anaphylaxis, although this condition is life-threatening and requires immediate medical intervention.

Corticosteroids

OTC cortisone is available as a topical medication. Inhaled or oral forms of cortisone require a prescription. Topical corticosteroids can be used to treat eczema, atopic dermatitis, insect stings and bites, rashes caused by stinging nettle, poison ivy and oak, psoriasis and neurodermatitis.

Fungal medications

These topical medications treat athlete's foot, jock itch and ringworm. Fungal infections of the fingernail and toenail must be treated with prescription antifungal agents.

Antacids

Three classes of antacids are available:

• Antacids. These commonly contain calcium, aluminum or magnesium or a combination, and neutralize the hydrochloric acid in the stomach. They provide immediate but short-lasting relief from heartburn. 

• H2 blockers. These are a type of “antihistamine” that blocks the H2 receptors and subsequently reduces, but does not completely stop, the production of stomach acid. These drugs take at least 20 minutes to begin working, but they offer about 12 hours of relief.

• Proton pump inhibitors. This class of antacids completely blocks the production of stomach acid. These drugs need up to three day to completely shut off acid production. Symptoms relief occurs much more quickly, sometimes in less than an hour. The effects are usually long lasting, requiring a dose only once a day.

Antacids may mask the symptoms of serious disease such as ulcers, stomach cancer and cancer of the esophagus.  If you don’t have relief of symptoms after two weeks of use, you should talk to your health care provider.

Upset stomach remedies

Medications such as Emetrol and Pepto-Bismol can soothe an upset stomach and decrease nausea.

Diarrhea medications

Anti-diarrheal remedies such as Pepto-Bismol, Kaopectate and Imodium A-D can slow the activity of the bowel, when necessary. Most diarrhea does not need to be treated with medication and responds well to 24 hours of a clear liquid diet.

Wound care

To promote healing, you should cleanse, treat and protect wounds. First, clean the cut or scrape with soap and water. Then, apply a small amount of clean petroleum jelly to keep the wound from drying out and cover with a sterile bandage. Antibiotic ointments, particularly those containing neomycin, may cause sensitization and allergic reactions and probably are not necessary.

Bandages of all shapes and sizes protect injuries from further damage. Cover cuts, scrapes and other wounds with adhesive or wraparound bandages to stop bleeding or ease chafing.

Don't forget these

Other items essential for your medicine cabinet are tweezers, a thermometer, calibrated measuring spoon, alcohol or alcohol wipes and a disinfectant.

Safety first

Be sure to go through your medicine and first-aid supplies once a year to discard items that are outdated or damaged, the FDA says. Replenish supplies that are missing or low. Also, to avoid accidental poisoning or overdoses, never store medicines in anything other than their original containers.