Experience | Leaflets | Medicines | Support | Patient+ | Weblinks | News | Products | Other
Other options: 
Medication for the Medicine Cupboard
Post your experienceNote: before taking a drug, always read the packet label. This is for instructions on how to take the drug, who should not take the drug, and for a list of possible side-effects.
Paracetamol
Paracetamol eases pain. It also reduces fever (high temperatures). It comes in tablet form for adults and older children and as a liquid for young children and babies. You can also get soluble tablets. If you have young children, paracetamol is perhaps the most important drug to keep in at all times. Paracetamol is safe at normal doses, but is dangerous in overdose.
Anti-inflammatory painkillers
These are painkillers which also reduce inflammation. Most need a prescription but you can buy one called ibuprofen from pharmacies. They are helpful for muscular aches and sprains and are often used to relieve period pain. Like paracetamol, ibuprofen also reduces a fever. Anti-inflammatory painkillers should not be used by certain people. For example, if you have or have had an ulcer.
Antihistamines
These ease the symptoms of hay fever and other allergies. For example: urticaria (hives), itch, sneezing, watering eyes, and a running nose. Some antihistamines may cause drowsiness, for example, chlorpheniramine (piriton). These may be useful for taking at bedtime. There are several types which cause less drowsiness and are better for during the day.
Antacids
These help to ease indigestion and heartburn. There are various types. For example, sodium bicarbonate, magnesium trisilicate, aluminium or magnesium hydroxide. They work by neutralising the acid content of the stomach. You can also buy more powerful drugs which reduce acid in the stomach, for example, cimetidine.
Hydrocortisone cream and calamine lotion
Hydrocortisone is a mild steroid cream. Steroids reduce inflammation. Hydrocortisone can reduce the swelling and pain of sunburn, bee and wasp stings, and other inflammation of the skin. Calamine lotion is soothing and cooling for inflamed or itchy skin.
Other useful items
It is worth keeping a variety of plasters, a crepe bandage, a triangular bandage, a support stocking bandage, and some antiseptic cream to treat minor cuts, grazes, and sprains.
Further advice
Your pharmacist is a good source of advice and information.
Also, see www.medicine-chest.co.uk for details of all drugs that you can buy in the UK.
© EMIS and PIP 2006 Updated: October 2006
Comprehensive patient resources are available at www.patient.co.uk
The authors and editors of this article are employed to create accurate and up to date content reflecting reliable research evidence, guidance and best clinical practice. They are free from any commercial conflicts of interest. Find out more about updating.
Patient UK Hearing Impairment Survey
Patient UK are grateful to the 550 people who took part in this survey.
To see the results click here.
If you'd like to leave your feedback, please go to our interactive forum.
Experience | Leaflets | Medicines | Support | Patient+ | Weblinks | News | Products | Other
Other options:
Related pages in Patient UK
Your Experience (^ top of page)
Please add your experience about this condition / medicineHealth Topic information leaflets related to this topic (^ top of page)
Acid Reflux & Oesophagitis Allergic Conjunctivitis Antacids Antihistamines Anti-inflammatory Painkillers Insomnia - Sleeping Tablets ParacetamolMedicine & Drug information leaflets related to this topic (^ top of page)
Antihistamines (topical) Calamine Corticosteroids (topical - mild) Corticosteroids (topical - moderate) Corticosteroids (topical - potent) Corticosteroids (topical - very potent) Hydrocortisone (topical) Isometheptene and Paracetamol ParacetamolSupport Groups related to this topic (^ top of page)
Bostock Health Care British Red Cross Society First Aid Warehouse Lifesavers Lions Message In A Bottle MedicAlert® Foundation MediPAL Medi-Tag Rescue Emergency Care SOS Talisman St John AmbulancePatientPlus articles related to this topic (^ top of page)
Antihistamines Common First Aid Procedures in General Practice Dysmenorrhoea Management of Acute Gout Non Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs Road Accidents - Attending as a Passing DoctorLinks to other selected websites related to this topic (^ top of page)
Accidents First Aid Heartburn (Acid Reflux, GORD, Oesophagitis, etc)Patient UK Newspaper (^ top of page)
Recent related news items
Britain's first-aiders advised to keep giving kiss of life Paracetamol affects childhood jabs No paracetamol after jabs, study advises Many 'lacking first aid skills' Government 'ignored warning Tamiflu may become resistant to swine flu'All news by related topic
First Aid newsRelated Products (^ top of page)
Online Pharmacy
Anadin Paracetamol Paracetamol Tablets Travel-Safe Family First Aid KitMedical equipment
First Aid Pill/Tablet Equipment
Books
First Aid Manual
Other - Useful resources (^ top of page)
Pictures, diagrams, photos, images, etc.Evidence based medicine
Online textbooks and journals
UK Guidelines
Online Videos
Medline
Other good health sites
Want to search some more? Use the Google Search box below to search our site.
Disclaimer: Patient UK has no control over the content of any external links above. Inclusion does not imply endorsement by Patient UK.
Want to advertise on this site? Find out how >>
Here you can follow a link to view existing patient experiences on this subject, or to add your own
This will offer you the usual PDF options i.e. document navigation, search, zoom and formatted print
Note: this is the best way to print the document
Note: this will open in a new window
Note: this will open in a new window
Here you can follow a link to view existing patient experiences on this subject, or to add your own
This will offer you the usual PDF options i.e. document navigation, search, zoom and formatted print
Note: this is the best way to print the document
Note: this will open in a new window
Note: this will open in a new window