Don’t you just hate going to the doctor’s? Not only do you have to deal with people coughing in your face, but it’s just so hard these days to get an appointment when you need one. However, you don’t need to run to the doctor’s every time you experience health problems. Minor issues such as a cold or muscle pain can be relieved with some rest and the use of OTC medicines. With that being said, everyone should have their own little home pharmacy they can turn to in less serious situations. The following OTC medicines are considered safe to take on your own and can be used for treating some minor and temporarily health issues which people are most likely to experience.
Paracetamol
Paracetamol is perhaps the most versatile OTC drug to have at home. It can be used to treat a variety of ailments from fever associated with the cold or flu to general pain and discomfort in the muscles and bones. It is also considered effective in relieving mild headaches and arthritis symptoms. It’s also considered safe to use for most people. Paracetamol is available under a variety of brand names and in different doses and forms. A commonly used tablet form is Panamax 500mg which should only be used by adults and children over 12. On the other hand, syrups are the recommended form of paracetamol for children as young as 1-12.
The recommended daily dosage of paracetamol for an adult is 4000mg. Exceeding this dose can cause liver problems and other serious health issues. In other words, when taking a brand of paracetamol such as Panamax 500mg, you should take 8 pills a day at most! But be careful, other drugs, like for instance some cold or flu medicines, may also contain amounts of paracetamol which should also be accounted for in the 4000mg limit. So, when taking additional medicines, check whether they contain added paracetamol and decrease the amount of paracetamol accordingly in order to avoid accidental overdose.
Medicines for Stomach and Intestinal Problems
Whether it’s due to stress or a bad diet, everyone has experienced stomach and intestinal problems. When you’re experiencing indigestion, nausea and diarrhoea, having Pepto-Bismol or Kaopectate readily available can be very helpful. On the other hand, if you’re having problems with constipation, consider taking a mild laxative such as Milk of Magnasia or a stool softener such as docusate sodium.
Cold Medicines
While a Panamax 500mg pack can be very effective in reducing fever, there are other formulas that can help relieve the symptoms associated with a cold such as coughing and nasal congestion. When it comes to treating a cough, there are two types of medicines: expectorants and suppressants. Expectorants, such as Mucinex, are recommended to use if your struggling with mucous production as they can thin the mucus that’s causing your cough. On the other hand, if you’re dealing with a dry cough, consider a suppressant that contains dextromethorphan. When it comes to nasal congestion, try a nasal spray containing pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine. There are also many combination medicines for treating the common cold which include pain-relievers, vitamin C and other ingredients that can help relieve your symptoms.
