Your Home Pharmacy
Chapter 3. Medications

Basic Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medications
that Can Help with Self-Care

Medicines	Common Uses	Side Effects/Warnings
Activated charcoal	To absorb some poisons	Call Poison Control Center before using
Antacids ex: Tums, Rolaids, Mylanta	Stomach upset, heartburn	Don't use for more than 2 weeks without your doctor's advice. Don't use high- sodium ones if on a low-salt diet. Don't use if you have chronic kidney failure.
Antidiarrheal medicine ex: Kaopectate, Imodium A-D, Pepto-Bismol	Diarrhea	Don't give Pepto-Bismol to anyone under 19 years of age because it contains salicylates, which have been linked to Reye's Syndrome. Pepto-Bismol can cause black stools.
Antihistamines ex: Chlor-Trimeton, Benadryl	Allergies, cold symptom relief, relieves itching	May cause drowsiness, agitation, dry mouth, and/or problems with urinating. Don't use with alcohol, when operating machines, or when driving. Don't use if you have glaucoma or an enlarged prostate or problems passing urine.
Cough suppressant ex: Robitussin-DM or others with dextromethorphan	Dry cough without mucus	May cause drowsiness. People with glaucoma, or problems passing urine should avoid ones with diphenhydramine.
Decongestant ex: Sudafed, Dimetapp	Stuffy and runny nose, post-nasal drip, allergies, fluid on the ears	Don't use if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, glaucoma, heart disease, history of stroke, or an enlarged prostate.
Expectorant ex: Robitussin or others with guaifenesin	Cough with mucus	Don't give with an antihistamine.
Laxatives ex: Ex-Lax, Correctol (stimulant-types), Metamucil (bulk-forming type)	Constipation	Long-term use of stimulant-type can lead to dependence and to muscle weakness due to potassium loss.
Pain relievers
Acetaminophen ex: Tylenol, Anacin-3, Datril, Liquiprin Panadol, Tempra	Pain relief, reduces fever (does not reduce inflammation)	More gentle on stomach than other OTC pain relievers. Can result in liver problems in heavy alcohol users. Large doses or long-term use can cause liver or kidney damage.
Aspirin ex: Bayer, Bufferin	Pain relief, reduces fever and inflammation	Can cause stomach upset (which is made worse with alcohol use). May contribute to stomach ulcers and bleeding. Avoid if you: Take blood-thinning medicine, have an ulcer, have asthma, are under 19 years of age (due to its association with Reye's Syndrome), and/or are having surgery within 2 weeks. High doses or prolonged use can cause ringing in the ears.
Ibuprofen ex: Advil, Medipren, Motrin, Pamprin-IC, Children's Advil, Children's Motrin	Pain relief, reduces fever and inflammation, especially good for menstrual cramps	Can cause stomach upset and ulcers. Take with milk or food. Can make you more sensitive to the effects of the sun. Don't use if you are allergic to aspirin. Don't use if you have ulcers, blood clotting problems, kidney disease.
Ketoprofen (adult) ex: Actron, Orudis KT	Pain relief, reduces fever and inflammation	Can cause stomach upset and ulcers. Take with milk or food. Can make you more sensitive to the effects of the sun. Don't use if you are allergic to aspirin. Don't use if you have ulcers, blood clotting problems, kidney disease.
Naproxen Sodium (adult) ex: Aleve	Pain relief, reduces fever and inflammation	Can cause stomach upset and ulcers. Take with milk or food. Can make you more sensitive to the effects of the sun. Don't use if you are allergic to aspirin. Don't use if you have ulcers, blood clotting problems, kidney disease.
Syrup of Ipecac	To induce vomiting for some poisons	Call Poison Control Center before giving.
Throat anesthetic ex: Sucrets, Chloraseptic spray	Minor sore throat	Don't give throat lozenges to children under age 5.
Toothache anesthetic ex: Anbesol	Toothache, teething	Check with doctor before use with babies under 4 months old.

  Basic Supplies that Can Help with Self-Care 

HEALTH AT HOME - Your Complete Guide to Symptoms, Solutions, and Self-Care © 1999 by Don R. Powell. American Institute for Preventive Medicine. 

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Date updated 04/20/99