| Bakewell Medical Centre Butts Road, DE45 1ED, United Kingdom admin.bakewellsurgery@nhs.net Tel: 0844 477 3408 |
SMS Bulletin |
|
|
||
Family Medicine ChestMedication for the Medicine CupboardMinor illness is common, especially in young children. Symptoms often begin when pharmacies are closed. Here is a suggestion of some medicines that are useful to keep in the home for occasional use. You can buy the following from pharmacies without a prescription. Paracetamol Paracetamol eases pain, and 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 medicine to keep in at all times. Paracetamol is safe at normal doses, but is dangerous in overdoes. Aspirin This comes in tablet and soluble form. Like paracetamol, aspirin eases pain and reduces fever. It also reduces inflammation, so it may be more useful for easing muscular aches and sprains. However, side-effects are more common with aspirin than with paracetamol. In particular, you should not take aspirin if you have a duodenal or stomach ulcer. Also, aspirin can make breathing symptoms worse in some people with asthma. Do not give aspirin to children under 16. Anti-inflammatory painkillers These are painkillers which also reduce inflammation. Theses have similar effects to aspirin, but are slightly stronger. They are helpful for muscular aches and sprains and are often used to relieve period pain. Like asprin they should not be used if you have had an ulcer, and should be used with caution if you have asthma. A commonly used one which you can buy is ibuprofen. 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 medicines 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 on all medicines that you can buy in the UK. |
|
| Copyright © Bakewell Medical Centre 2010 | Butts Road, DE45 1ED, United Kingdom Show map | Web design by 7Soft.co.uk Bakewell by peak district online.co.uk |
