Stocking Your Medicine Cabinet
We feel it is important that all households should keep a reasonably stocked medical cabinet at home to deal with minor ailments. Remember all medicines should be stored in a box or cupboard with a lock and kept well out of the reach of children. Always check the expiry date on medicines and do not keep them for future use, as they lose their effect or become dangerous.
Remember that your pharmacist can give advice about medicines.
| Item | Use |
|---|---|
| Sedative Cough Linctus | For dry or painful coughs |
| Antiseptic Cream | For sores, grazes and septic spots |
| Antiseptic Solution | Dilute in water and use to clean cuts and grazes |
| Calamine Lotion | For dermatitis, insect bites and stings, and sunburn to soothe the skin |
| Cotton Wool | For cleaning minor cuts and grazes |
| Tweezers | For removing splinters |
| Plasters | For cuts |
| Thermometer | For checking fevers |
| Indigestion Remedies | For relief of heartburn and indigestion pains |
| Crepe Bandage (3 inch) | For sprained joints and for holding dressings in the correct place |
| Paracetamol Tablets | For general pain relief in adults |
| Paracetamol Liquid | For relief of pain and/or fever in young children |
| Soluble Aspirin Tablets | For adults or children over 12 – useful for headaches, colds and sore throats |
| Ephedrine Nose Drops | For runny noses in children over 1 year. Do not use for more than 4 days. |
| Vapour Rub | For steam inhalation, stuffy noses or dry coughs. Rub into the chest and on the nose |
| Antihistamine Tablets/Ointment | For relief of itching, rashes and allergic reactions. Useful for watery eyes, sneezing, swelling and insect bites. Newer, less-sedating antihistamines are recommended. |
| Rehydration Solution | For replacing fluids and salts lost due to vomiting or diarrhoea |