20 Medicine Cabinet Must-Haves

When was the last time you checked your medicine cabinet?

Because an emergency can occur at home at any time, it is important to keep our medicine cabinet well-stocked with the basic essentials, which unfortunately are sometimes easy to overlook. Ideally, your medicine cabinet should be revisited every 6 months to check on expired items and ensure that those in low supply are replenished. Be on the lookout also for the following:

- Medicines that are discolored, dried out, crumbling, or those which show other signs of decay even if they are not yet expired
- Discard outdated medications and supplies, including sunscreens.

Another important thing to consider is the location of your medicine cabinet, as many of us think that it should be placed in the bathroom. Contrary to common practice, medications should not be placed in showers or baths as these create heat and humidity which can cause deterioration to some drugs. Although other items like gauze, tweezers, cotton balls and bandages can be kept in the bathroom as these will not be affected by the elements, it is wiser to organize all first aid items together as it will be easier to find and retrieve when you need it. It is also important to keep all original containers and labels in order to assure that no one in the family ingests medicines by mistake.

For homes with children, it is important to stock up on age-appropriate medicines (and keep the dropper or cup it comes with). One must be aware of each child’s age and weight in order to ensure that the proper dosage is administered. Also, make sure that all medications are closed tightly and are kept in a place where a younger child has no access to.

Disposal is just as important as stocking up your medicine cabinet. Here are a few tips to remember when disposing of old medicine:
- Remove and destroy any and all identifying personal information on medicine bottles and containers.
- Do not flush medicine into sinks and drains; rather, they must be poured into sealable plastic bags.
- If medication is solid, like pills and tablets, these must be crushed and diluted with water. After pouring and diluting medications in the plastic bags, an additional step would be to pour kitty litter, saw dust, coffee grounds or any material that will mix with the substance you are disposing of. These precautions ensure that children or pets will not mistake these for candy or treats.

Finally, make sure that all these are disposed of properly into your household trash bins.

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The list below includes only first aid remedies and over-the-counter medications that do not require a prescription from your doctor. If at any point you feel doubtful or uncertain regarding the medications you are taking or administering, or if the situation seems more serious than you think you can handle, please proceed to the nearest emergency room hospital and consult with a professional physician.

1. Thermometer
A good and accurate thermometer is needed in order to monitor fevers. Digital thermometers are easier to read than the ones with mercury (which have been phased out by the Department of Health due to the safety risk they pose); however, ear thermometers and fever strips may not be as precise. A body temperature above 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius indicates fever.

2. Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen
Acetaminophen or ibuprofen are commonly used to combat fever. Both medications reduce fever, relieve mild or moderate pain and headaches. The main difference between ibuprofen and acetaminophen is that ibuprofen also reduces inflammation in sprains or swollen joints, while acetaminophen does not.

3. Antiseptics
Alcohol, hydrogen peroxide and iodine are all antiseptics. Antiseptics are used to disinfect and clean minor cuts, wounds, scrapes and burns.

4. Antibiotic Creams
Antibiotic creams prevent infections in minor wounds. After cleaning the wound, apply a small amount of antibacterial cream to help reduce the risk of infection and speed up the healing time. Antibiotic creams and ointments are also used to protect a closed wound or a minor burn.

5. Bandages
A box of adhesive strips in assorted sizes are one of the most important medicine cabinet must-haves. Make sure you have a variety of sizes to handle various wounds, scrapes and cuts.

6. Gauze
A box of gauze pads will be adequate to dress most cuts, scrapes, and burns. Gauze pads and paper tape work well with larger wounds. A gauze pad will cover, protect and absorb any secretions from the wound and it can also be used to clean and sterilize the wound.

7. Disposable Medical Latex Gloves
The gloves protect and prevent contact with bodily fluids while performing a procedure, thus ensuring that contamination between caregivers and patients do not occur.

8. Hot and Cold Packs
Hot and cold packs can now be bought in reusable or disposable forms. They are used to reduce and prevent swelling and ease sore muscles. The cold temperature reduces swelling while heat relaxes the muscles. Hot and cold packs increase circulation, relax muscles, and decrease stiffness.

9. Antihistamines
Diphenhydramine, chlorphenamine and clemastine are all antihistamines that are good to have on hand. All these combat the symptoms of an allergic reaction such as sneezing, runny nose and itchy eyes. The downside to these is that they do cause drowsiness, so be wary about using them if you intend to do other activities such as driving or operating machines. Eye drops that contain antihistamines and decongestants are also good to have as these soothe itchy eyes, irritated eyes. You must be on the lookout though for symptoms that point to a severe allergic reaction like difficulty in breathing, swelling of the tongue or lips. Should these occur, get to an emergency room immediately.

10. Calamine Lotion
Calamine lotions can be used to soothe itching from rashes and insect bites. Another alternative is to use colloidal oatmeal or oatmeal soaps, which relieve not only itching but also rashes, sunburn, bug bites, mild skin irritations, chicken pox and even acne.

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11. Hydrocortisone Cream
For sudden and intense itching a cortisone cream is a better bet to counteract redness, inflammation, swelling, and rashes. Just be sure not to use it for more than two weeks.

12. Cold and Flu Medications
In case the common cold or flu strikes, a good remedy would be the decongestant phenylephrine. This will help ease cold symptoms and reduce nasal congestion. Saline drops are also good to have around to battle congestion. Saline drops and sprays are safe and can be used by both adults and infants.

13. Cough Syrup and Medication
Plenty of water is advised to be taken with cough medicine as it will help loosen up mucus. Cough medicine that contains the suppressant dextromethorphan should be taken when you have a dry cough; on the other hand, if your cough comes with mucus, an expectorant with guaifenesin is what should be taken.

14. Antacid
More often than not, a stomach ache is caused by the overproduction of acid in our stomachs, which also sometimes cause heartburn. An antacid will block and neutralize the acids, while calcium carbonate can help relieve heartburn.

15. Antidiarrheal Preparations
Loperamide is widely used to treat diarrhea. Loperamides also helps with the cramps often associated with diarrhea. Be cautious, however, as overuse of this medication can cause constipation.

16. Oral Rehydration Salts
Dehydration, if left untreated, can be fatal. Oral rehydration salts are a simple treatment for dehydration which is often caused by diarrhea or gastroenteritis. Some flavored varieties are available in drugstores specifically intended for children.

17. Laxatives
Insufficient intake of fiber in the diet, too little water, inactivity, anxiety, or even certain medications can cause constipation. Bisacodyl, Senna extract, Psyllium husks, Epsom salts, teas and water intake can combat constipation.

18. Lozenges
Most throat lozenges should be taken in moderation, because some active ingredients could be dangerous to one’s health if consumed in large amounts. The antibacterial properties of some throat lozenges allow them to double as breath fresheners, eliminating odor-causing bacteria in the mouth.

19. Tweezers and Scissors
Tweezers and Scissors are important to have in your medicine cabinet. Aside from their common uses, tweezers can also be used to retrieve splinters from the skin.

20. Elastic Wraps
These are excellent to use on sprained joints as they give ample support. Applying the wrap must be done with care, ensuring that it is neither too loose nor too tight. When placed too tightly, the wrap can cut circulation, while a loose wrap won’t properly support the sprained joints.

Photo from flickr creative commons