The Ten Items Everyone Needs to Have in their Home Pharmacy

Pain and fever medications: Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)

Antiseptic solutions: hydrogen peroxide, Betadine solution, or equivalent.

Topical Antibiotics: Your choice. They come in both ointments and creams. You should have a burn ointment in your cabinet.

Hydrocortisone

Antifungal medications

Stomach and Intestinal Disorders: Include a good stool softener, such as Colace (docusate sodium), or a mild laxative such as Milk of Magnesia. Kaopectate or even Pepto-Bismol at home would be helpful. Over-the-counter Tagamet (cimetidine) or Prilosec (omeprazole) would be appropriate to include, along with Maalox or Mylanta.

Salt: but making your own saline (1/4 tsp of salt to 8 oz of water) can be used for gargling or homemade nasal spray/drops.

Antihistamines: Benadryl (diphenhydramine) is the most common, but it can be sedating. Claritin (loratadine) lasts longer (24 hours) and is considered non-sedating.

Decongestants: Medications containing pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) or phenylephrine are for stuffy/congested noses.

Cough medicines: There are two types: expectorants (makes you cough by loosening mucous), and suppressants (controls or reduces coughing).

Miscellaneous: Band-aids (all types, including finger tip ones), gauze dressings, Telfa (non-stick) pads, paper tape, and other dressings are always needed.


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