Inside your medicine cabinet

From the map above click on your local NHS Board to find opening times for pharmacies in your area.

Inside your medicine cabinet

Winter Medicine Cabinet

There are some everyday medicines that you can stock up on and keep handy during the winter months. Remember to keep these medicines together in a safe place, out of the reach of children.

Your local community pharmacist can provide advice on how to combat winter illnesses such as colds and flu, upset stomach, headaches and toothache.

	Pain Relief - Paracetamol, ibuprofen and aspirin are the most common pain killers. Aspirin and ibuprofen also reduce inflammation. (Please remember aspirin should not be given to anyone under 16 years of age). It would be useful to have these available in tablet and liquid form.

	Anti-histamines - These help allergies and runny noses and are available as tablets and liquids.

	Sore throat remedy - General pain relief is recommended e.g. paracetamol. Adults may gargle with soluble aspirin. Throat lozenges and sprays may also ease symptoms.

	Cough Linctus - Many different types are available. These will either stop a cough or loosen it.

	Diarrhoea treatments - Make sure you drink plenty of non-alcoholic liquids for the first 24 hours. Your pharmacist can also recommend rehydration drinks, which you add to water.

	Indigestion remedy - Various different types are available. A simple antacid will relieve the majority of symptoms.

	Constipation treatments - e.g. Senna can be tried for constipation.

	Hangover treatments - It is important to drink plenty water or non-alcoholic liquids. There are specific rehydration remedies available from your pharmacy which include paracetamol.

	First Aid Kit - Your local pharmacist can advise you on what your household first aid kit should contain, such as thermometer, antiseptic cream, bandages, dressings and adhesive tape, support bandages and plasters.

Children's Medicines - there are children's varieties available for most of these medicines, ask your pharmacist. We would recommend having both paracetamol and ibuprofen available in liquid form in addition to a liquid anti-histamine.

Remember: read all labels, and do not take more than the recommended dose of any medicine, eg. paracetamol is in a number of different flu remedies, as well as standard paracetamol tablets. Do not give aspirin to children under 16 years of age unless instructed to do so by a doctor.