Medicine That People Should Stock Up on at Home

Fever, cough, or cold – not every health issue requires a visit to the doctor’s office, and many minor illnesses can be treated at home. So in those cases, your best relief and solution is going to come from your medicine cabinet. It’s important to have the basic essentials at home, ready to use when trouble comes knocking.

Being prepared ahead of time is smart and can save you from a lot of extra worries and struggles when you are already feeling sick. It gives you security and a little bit more control when problematic events arise. The last thing you want to do when you are feeling under the weather is an out-of-home trip for supplies. Viruses lurk around and come without a warning. Having a home pharmacy that is stocked up and up to date is going to be very helpful.

We know that pharmacies are generally accessible at any time you might need help. But it is less stressful to not have to visit one when you are already feeling sick or when you have a child to care for instead. There’s a variety of over-the-counter medications available for us, but which are the most important ones to have at home?

Before stocking up on new medicine, the first thing you want to do is go through the medicine cabinet you have right now and check the expiration dates. Just like everything else we purchase for consumption, medication and first aid products can lose their strength and purity with time. It’s very important to make sure that you and your family are not using over-the-counter drugs that have expired. Check for the manufacturer’s recommendations on the package and get rid of everything that is not up to date.

The safest way to dispose of medications is to take them to your nearest pharmacy. Most places have drug return bins where they will be properly cared for. Throwing them in the trash or flushing them down the toilet can cause pollution.

Once you have taken care of that part and have a good understanding of what you already have at home, it’s time to make a list of the essentials that are still missing. Here are our recommendations for your at-home medicine cabinet essentials:

Any type of pain is exhausting and uncomfortable. Having the option to take a painkiller to get some relief is a great solution. Pick out an option that works best for your family and make sure to follow the directions for dosage when taking it.

Sometimes fever can spike in high numbers and nothing but medication will reduce it. In order to get good rest and let your body heal, taking a fever reducer might be a good option. When stocking up on this over-the-counter medication, keep in mind, if you need it for adults or children. Consult with a pharmacist about which option is the safest for you and your family.

Sore throat can cause lots of pain and discomfort. Lozenges and sprays are great solutions to help you relieve some of that. Many of them have anti-inflammatory or local anesthetic ingredients which can reduce pain and swelling.

Sometimes fever can spike in high numbers and nothing but medication will reduce it. In order to get good rest and let your body heal, taking a fever reducer might be a good option. When stocking up on this over-the-counter medication, keep in mind, if you need it for adults or children. Consult with a pharmacist about which option is the safest for you and your family.

A stuffy nose is highly uncomfortable and can make sleeping impossible. While rest is one of the most important parts of healing from any illness, it’s good to get some relief with a nose spray. There are many different options for all ages available. Regular saline spray is safe to use for children and also during pregnancy. It helps with reducing nasal congestion and clearing out your nose.

Activated charcoal has been found to help with an upset stomach, reflux and many other stomach misalignments. It’s also a great detoxifier, so it can bring relief during food poisoning by preventing the toxins from being absorbed from the stomach into the rest of the body.

Probiotics have been shown to ease symptoms that involve digestion – stomach pain, gas, bloating, diarrhea and constipation. They are also strongly recommended to use after being on antibiotics, to restore gut health. Probiotics are also a great supplement for your daily regime.

Minor burns happen suddenly and can cause lots of pain and discomfort. Burn gel will be a great option for temporary relief. It soothes and cools down the skin that has been damaged, without trapping the heat or leaving it sticky.

A nebulizer is a great way to help with respiratory illnesses, reducing inflammation in the lungs and airways. It can be used for adults and children. The medication used in the nebulizer will help with loosening up the mucus so it can be removed from the body easier. It also relaxes airway muscles, allowing more air to move in and out of the lungs.

Trying to detect fever by feeling someone’s forehead may be the first step but to know accurately what the body’s temperature is, you will need a thermometer. There are many different options available that will measure fever quickly, making it an effective tool to use with little kids. Ask your pharmacist to help you pick out the best one for you and your family’s needs

Now that you have the list of important essentials for your medicine cabinet, it’s time to visit the pharmacy. The best time to go is as soon as possible because you want to be well-prepared if any health concerns are visiting your household. If you need to consult with a doctor about dosage or any other questions – Salu is a quick and efficient way to go about it. Our team is available every day, only a chat or a call away. Your local pharmacist will be more than happy to help you with finding everything you need from your list. Stock up for your at-home pharmacy and be confident that you can tackle minor health concerns without having to visit the doctor.