When was the last time you updated your medicine cabinet stash of decongestants, fever-reducers, and bandages? Do you have a home first aid kit and ready to go in case of emergency? Apart from your prescriptions, what you want are the tools to treat less severe cuts and burns, headaches, fevers, coughs, itching, allergies, or a runny nose.

Since we reach for what’s in our medicine cabinets in urgent situations, it’s well worth planning ahead and being prepared for those emergencies. If you wait until you’re feeling unwell, it might be too late to go out and get the over-the-counter (OTC) medication you need. But also, in the uncertainty of today’s world where there may be ongoing lockdowns in your region or inclement weather that prevents you from leaving home the importance of a well-stocked medicine cabinet speaks for itself.

Aspirin

Aspirin is a favorite painkiller and fever reducer, though some find it too irritating to the stomach. Also, it can interfere with blood clotting, so people who take blood thinners or are about to have surgery cannot take them. Children and teenagers should avoid aspirin as well because it has been linked in young people to Reye’s syndrome, a rare condition involving swelling of the brain and liver.

Warning: All these painkillers can cause problems if mixed with too much alcohol. People who have three or more drinks a day should consult a doctor about using them.

• Thermometer
• Disposable gloves
• Sunscreen
• Bug repellant/after bite spray
• Band-aids
• Coflex: a self-adhesive wrap. Some people are allergic to band-aids
• Hand sanitizer
• Benadryl
• Non-sedating antihistamine (for allergies)
• Pain relievers like Tylenol or Advil

Visit our pharmacy today to bundle up all your medications!